[Satellite TODAY 11-18-09] The director general of the Sri Lankan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has contracted Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to help the country develop its own space capability and its first communications satellite, SSTL announced Nov. 17.
     SSTL will design and produce an Earth observation satellite for Sri Lanka. With the spacecraft in orbit, the country would become a member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) with the ability to participate in international disaster relief support activities coordinated by the United Nations. SSTL will also advise the Sri Lankan government on the establishment of its national space program, which will be called Sri Lanka Space Agency (SLASA).
    The program includes training, development and collaborative activities between the University of Surrey and Sri Lankan academic institutes, which aim to promote academic, industrial and socio-economic development.
    Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

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