Philippines set to launch its first microsatellite Diwata-1

Philippines has handed over its first microsatellite Diwata-1 to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to be launched by April.

Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), has developed Diwata-1 with guidance from Japanese scientists.

Japan’s Hokkaido University and Tohoku University are also involved in the development of Diwata-1, which has seen an investment of 800m yen ($6.8m), entirely funded by the Philippines.

Once launched, the microsatellite will be used for earth exploration, disaster monitoring and weather monitoring activities. The assembly and testing of Diwata was completed in December.

Following the arrival of the microsatellite to the Japanese space agency, Diwata-1 will be shipped to the US for launch.

In March, Diwata-1 will be launched by SpaceX, with an expected deployment of the satellite in its orbit by April. The 50kg microsatellite is equipped with four cameras to perform remote sensing activities.

DOST research and development undersecretary Amelia Guevara was quoted by Manila Bulletin saying: "Diwata-1 makes history because it is our very first satellite."

Philippines is planning to launch another microsatellite, Diwata-2 in 2017.

DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development executive director Carlos Primo David was quoted by InterAksyon saying: "The purpose of the micro-satellite program is two-pronged.

"Number one is capacity building for our scientists as we did not just purchase it, we built it ourselves with the help of Japan.

"The second benefit would come from the images acquired from the satellite."

This will be one of the two satellites being developed by the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Micro-Satellite (PHL-Microsat) programme, while the second satellite is planned to be launched in 2017.