Sri Lanka’s third nano-satellite, developed in collaboration with the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan, and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT), Sri Lanka, was successfully deployed into orbit at 2:20 p.m. yesterday (19).
The research satellite, named BIRDS-X Dragonfly, will conduct three key space research missions. Notably, the ACCIMT confirmed that the project comes at no cost to Sri Lanka, as it was funded by the Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC), with launch and deployment facilitated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The initiative was originally conceived by former ACCIMT Director-General Eng. (Dr.) Sanath Panawennage as part of a Kyutech–ACCIMT collaboration. The project was supported by several international partners in recognition of Sri Lanka’s strategic and technical contributions.
BIRDS-X Dragonfly was carried to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX-33 rocket, launched by NASA on August 24. Its successful deployment marks another milestone in Sri Lanka’s journey in space technology development.
This is Sri Lanka’s third nanosatellite contribution:
- Ravana-1 (2019) – Developed through an ACCIMT–Kyutech collaboration.
- Kitsune (2022) – Launched under a five-party international venture coordinated by Kyutech, with ACCIMT as a key partner.
- BIRDS-X Dragonfly (2025) – Now deployed, advancing experimental communications technology.
Main Missions of BIRDS-X Dragonfly:
- In-orbit testing of a new communication sub-system: Trialling a low-cost UHF transceiver built from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components for future nanosatellite missions.
- APRS Digipeater: Relaying Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) messages, enabling global amateur radio operators to experiment with satellite-based communication.
- Store-and-Forward Communication: Demonstrating data relay capability, allowing user messages to be uploaded, stored, and later downlinked across regions.
The ACCIMT described the launch as an effort to “bring diversity to the space sector and democratize space usage,” underscoring Sri Lanka’s growing role in international space research.
