By: Staff Writer
June 10, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has entered into new space race of navigating deep space in partnership with China’s Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) to leverage diverse expertise and resources, fostering a more inclusive approach to space exploration.
This collaboration between Supreme Deep Space (Pvt) Ltd. And China’s DSEL is expected to bring mutual benefits, including technological advancements and enhanced scientific research capabilities for all parties’ involved, Sri Lankan company announced.
Newly established Supreme Deep Space (Pvt) Ltd.’ is now set to play a pivotal role in advancing lunar and Mars missions as the nation steps into the realm of deep space exploration.
In the wake of China’s highly successful Chang’e 6 lunar mission and the visit of Professor Wu Weiren, Chief Designer of China’s Lunar Exploration Program, to Sri Lanka paved the way towards launching this initiative.
This partnership not only places Sri Lanka on the global space exploration map but also allows the nation to contribute significantly to groundbreaking scientific endeavors, it added.
The timing of this partnership is particularly noteworthy given the current global landscape of space exploration.
The United States’ Artemis program is set to compete with China’s lunar ambitions, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon by 2026 and establish a sustainable presence there.
Both nations are seeking international collaborators, and Sri Lanka’s cooperation with China may suggest a strategic alignment, although the primary focus remains on the scientific and technological advancements of this partnership.
These two Sri Lankan and Chinese entities have outlined several areas of collaboration to advance space exploration and technology. This partnership promises to leverage Sri Lanka’s unique expertise and China’s advanced capabilities in various research initiatives.
It is poised to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers in Sri Lanka, fostering a culture of innovation and exploration.
Supreme Deep Space will create a comprehensive database to catalog local expertise relevant to space missions.
This database will include scientists, engineers, and researchers with specialized knowledge in areas such as astrophysics, materials science, and space mission logistics.
This initiative aims to streamline collaboration and ensure that the best minds in Sri Lanka are contributing to global space missions.
Another key area of cooperation is joint research on 3D printing technologies for construction. This research will focus on developing methods for building structures on the Moon using lunar regolith, which could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of establishing lunar bases.
By combining DSEL’s advanced 3D printing technologies with Sri Lankan innovations, the partnership seeks to pioneer new techniques for off-Earth construction.
This new venture will involve in joint research on breaking down H2O to generate oxygen. With the potential discovery of water ice at the Moon’s poles, this research could provide critical life support resources for future lunar missions.
The project will explore efficient methods to electrolyze water, harnessing solar power to produce oxygen and hydrogen, essential for sustaining human presence on the Moon.
The partnership also plans to investigate the feasibility of a space elevator using graphene, a material known for its incredible strength and conductivity. Joint research will focus on developing graphene production techniques and testing its application in space elevator technology.
Supreme Deep Space and DSEL will conduct joint research on the lower gravity impact scenario, taking advantage of Sri Lanka’s Hikkaduwa region.
The collaboration extends to Tracking, Telemetry, and Command (TT&C) services, ground segment support, and IT resource sharing. Supreme Deep Space will provide critical infrastructure for mission monitoring and control, leveraging Sri Lanka’s strategic geographic position.
.By establishing state-of-the-art facilities equipped with advanced technologies, the company will support DSEL’s missions in real-time. This includes tracking spacecraft, analyzing mission data, and coordinating with international space agencies to ensure the success of collaborative space endeavors.
