Join the celebration of Philippine Space Week 2024 from 9-11 August 2024, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM at the Quantum Skyview, Upper Ground B, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Quezon City. 

The Philippines hosted the 7th Joint Global Multi-nation BIRDS International Workshop (7BIW) from 12 to 14 December 2022 at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City, through the partnership of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech).

The workshop brought together international scientists, engineers, researchers, and students from higher education institutions in BIRDS member countries to exchange information, knowledge, and best practices on CubeSat development and applications. The attendees also had an opportunity to network and establish linkages for future collaborations.

Kyutech, with the support of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), pioneered the BIRDS Project in 2015. It is a cross-border interdisciplinary satellite project that aims to provide leverage to students from non-space-faring nations through hands-on involvement in CubeSat design and development. The Philippines is among the most active partners, participating in the 2nd (BIRDS-2, 2016) and 4th (BIRDS-4, 2018) iterations of the project. The Maya 1 and Maya 2 cube satellites were developed through this juncture.

Day 1 – Opening Program and Presentations

Welcome Message
Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr.
Director General
Philippine Space Agency

Keynote Presentation: CubeSat for Capacity-Building and International Collaboration
Dr. Mengu Cho
Head of BIRDS Program
Kyushu Institute of Technology

Presentation on STEP-UP Project and UNISEC PH
Engr. Paul Jason Co (Philippines – UPD)
Project Leader
Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University Partnerships or STEP-UP project under the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program

Presentation on BIRDS Bus Open sourcing
Tetsuhito Fuse
Associate Professor, Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in the Laboratory of Lean Satellite Enterprises and In-Orbit Experiments (LaSEINE)

Presentation on Kitsune Satellite Store-and-Forward Mission and Ground Sensor Terminals as Educational Tool
Dr. Pooja Lecha
Post-doctoral Fellow, Kyutech

Presentation on BIRDS-5 project
Keenan Chatar
Doctorate Student, Kyutech
BIRDS-5 Team Member

Presentation on MicroOrbiter-1 satellite project
John Paul Almonte
Masters Student, Kyutech

Lecture on Space applications and remote sensing
Dr. Renchin Tsolmon
Professor, National University of Mongolia
Head, NUM-ITC-UNESCO Remote Sensing and Space Science Laboratory

Lecture on Exploring Space for Future Technology
Dr. Mohamad Huzaimy Jusoh
Professor, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Co-lead, ASEANSAT Cubesatellite Project

Presentation on PhilSA’s INDUS3US Project
Engr. John Leur Labrador
Chief Science Research Specialist, Philippine Space Agency

Presentation on PhilSA’s ACCESS-Nanosat Project
Dr. Adrian Salces
Supervising Science Research Specialist, Philippine Space Agency

Closing Remarks
Dr. Gay Jane Perez
Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology, Philippine Space Agency

Group photo for the first day of the 7th BIRDS International Workshop.

Day 2 – Country Presentations

Dr. Edmore Tarambiwa
Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency

Dr. Mohamad Huzaimy Jusoh
Malaysia – Universiti Teknologi MARA

Kavindra Jarawardena
Sri Lanka – Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies

Dr. Phongsatorn Saisutjarit
Thailand – International Institute of Space Technology for Economic Development

Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal
Nepal –  Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

Dr. Juan Jose Rojas Hernandez
Costa Rica – Costa Rica Institute of Technology

Adolfo Javier Jara Cespedes
Paraguay – Paraguay Space Agency

Dr. Anita Antwiwaa
Ghana – All Nations University

Norbu Wangdi
Bhutan –  Department of Information Technology and Telecom

Dr. Jyh-Ching Juang
Taiwan – National Cheng Kung University

Abdulla Hil Kafi
Bangladesh – Brac University

Dr. Tsolmon Renchin
Mongolia – National University of Mongolia

Renzo Wee
Maya-3 and Maya-4 project leader
Philippines – STAMINA4Space STEP UP

Khazmir Camille Valerie Macaraeg
Maya-5 and Maya-6 representative
Philippines – STAMINA4Space STEP UP

BIRDS delegates at the end of the country presentations

The DOST-FPRDI Himig Kawayan serenades the guests and delegates of the 7BIW

Professor Mengu Cho tries his hand at the bamboo instruments of DOST-FPRDI Himig Kawayan

DOST-FPRDI Himig Kawayan with PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano, Jr.

Day 3 – Tour of Philippine Space Facilities

The BIRDS delegates visited University of the Philippines Diliman’s University Laboratory for Small Satellites and Space Engineering Systems (ULyS3ES) Building where an office and laboratory of the Philippine Space Agency can be found.

The BIRDS delegates also toured the full anechoic chamber at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

The BIRDS delegates visited the Department of Science and Technology-Advance Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) where the Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO) Center is housed. This is the control room that manages the Ground Station antenna located on the DOST-ASTI rooftop. This is where commands to satellites are sent and data are downloaded.

BIRDS Delegates in the PEDRO Center control room.

The BIRDS delegates at the Ground Station antenna at the DOST-ASTI.

The BIRDS delegates also visited the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) headquarters.

BIRDS delegates at the PHIVOLCS headquarters.

Day 4 – Excursion

The BIRDS delegates visited the Las Piñas–Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA) and explored Freedom Island, an artificial island, to see its protected flora.

The BIRDS delegates toured the National Museum of Fine Arts, Manila.

The BIRDS delegates tried on various Filipino headwear from the era of Spanish colonization.

The BIRDS delegates in front of the Spoliarium, a famous painting by Filipino painter Juan Luna.

Day 5 – Cebu

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), in collaboration with the 7th Joint Global Multi-nation BIRDS (7BIW) International Workshop in the Philippines, conducted the “Space and Satellite Technology Lecture” on 16 December 2022 at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. As an extension of the 7BIW, the lecture was joined by over 50 students, researchers, and faculty members from various higher education institutions (HEIs).

Technical presentations and discussions on satellite technology, remote sensing, and opportunities in the space sector were conducted by the delegates of the BIRDS Project.

Participants of the Space and Satellite Technology lecture at USC

Mr. Tetsuhito Fuse of the Kyushu Institute of Technology explains the BIRDS open source

Dr. Pooja Lepcha of the Kyushu Institute of Technology discusses, “Kitsune Satellite Store-and-forward Mission and Ground Sensor Terminal as an Educational Tool”

Dr. Tsolmon Renchin of the National University of Mongolia presents, “Remote Sensing and Astronomy Public Outreach”

Dr. Mohamad Huzaimy Jusoh, of the Universiti Teknologi MARA discusses, “Exploring Space for Future Technology”

Mr. Marco Melgar, Senior Science Research Specialist at PhilSA showcases the PhilSA Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications or AD ASTRA Scholarships

Dr. Adrian C. Salces, Supervising Science Research Specialist at PhilSA presents opportunities in the Philippine space sector

(L-R) USC Professor Roland Otadoy, Dr. Mohamad Huzaimy Jusoh, Dr. Pooja Lepcha, Dr. Adrian C. Salces, Prof. Tsolmon Renchin, Mr. Tetsuhito Fuse, Dr.  Patrick John Y. Lim of the USC Director of Research, Development, Extension, and Publications Office (RDEPO), and Engr. Alberto Bañacia of the USC

Earth observation (EO) data are invaluable assets for various applications. These largely satellite-derived data can be used to evaluate and mitigate impacts occurring on both land and sea. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) processes and distributes EO data to stakeholders to make informed decisions and aid in crafting sound policies.  

The Space Information Infrastructure Capacity Building and Training Program (SIICaP) will conduct its third webinar series called Space Data Mobilization, which aims to introduce practical uses of EO data. The three-part webinar series will discuss the activities and roles of PhilSA and other institutions related to these applications. Through this webinar, participants will get to appreciate the value of these satellite-derived data. 

The first session will tackle Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Applications. This consists of how PhilSA contributes data to different stakeholders in the country. The webinar will also show how Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is used for earthquake and volcanic monitoring.  The second session will be on Environmental and Natural Resources Applications. This will include monitoring the country’s natural resources and air quality. The last session will discuss Agricultural applications. The topics include crop seasonal variation and yield estimation using Sentinel images. 

The webinars are free of charge. Register now through this link to receive invitations for all sessions. 

SIICaP is a project of PhilSA ISKUELA, or the Inclusive SSTA Know-how, Utilization, Exchange, and Localization Activities. ISKUELA envisions building an inclusive, sustainable, and capable local space science and technology community through knowledge transfer and capacity-building programs. 

For inquiries, please contact siicap@philsa.gov.ph.  

MECHANICS

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is calling on designers, artists, and space enthusiasts to join the mission of the country’s first commercial-grade satellite in development, the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment or MULA satellite, by creating its mission patch.

Who can join? 

• The contest is open to Filipino citizens 18 years old and above residing anywhere in the world
• Employees and relatives of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity and affinity are ineligible from joining the contest

Submission requirements:

• The submitted mission patch design should not contain the name of the artist or any indications of its authorship
• The submitted mission patch should comply with the Philippine Space Agency’s visual languages:
  • PhilSA’s core visual language is minimalist with abstract visuals that represent ideas and concepts in their most distilled form. This allows for a more focused messaging and retains the formality that a government agency requires but not totally abandoning playfulness, which is the adjacent trait of curiosity and wonder. Sample content:
  • 
  • PhilSA also uses abstract collages as another visual language. Abstract collage unifies various elements into a single form to encapsulate an idea and effectively convey it in a fun, compelling way. Sample content:
  • 
• The design should revolve around the mission of MULA, namely: addressing food security, disaster resilience, environment conservation, and national sovereignty.
• The design must be representative of Filipino values and culture.
• By entering the contest, the participants declare that their entry is their own original work, has not been submitted to any other contest, and does not infringe on any existing copyright. Complaints that arise due to similarities of the submitted design would be the accountability of the participant who bears the responsibility to prove its authenticity.
• Participants must submit their entries in PDF format with the file name: Name_Surname_MULAMPC Entry to the registration link below on or before 09 December 2022 (extended deadline). The submission should contain the following:
  • A brief description or rationale of the design. This should contain a maximum of 250 words and an explanation of the components of the mission patch.
  • Usage guidelines comprised of the following: spacing, color palette, typography and font, colors, and versions. 
  • High-resolution digital files of the design (JPEG, PNG, TIF, SVG, TIF) as well as all raw files related to the mission patch design.
• The mission patch must follow a circular or round design (1:1 aspect ratio) not more than < 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm> in size. Samples are shown here.

Evaluation and Judging 

Bonus points will be given to participants able to attend the following Design Week events and submit proof of participation or attendance:

• All entries will undergo two (2) rounds of judging. Shortlisted entries will be notified via email. 
• The deadline for submission of entries is extended until 09 December 2022.

Prizes

The winning designer will receive the following: 

• PhP 20,000.00 cash prize
• A limited edition MULA plushie

Registration

• Interested contestants should submit entries here: https://bit.ly/3z12CoB

About MULA: 

• MULA Primer
• MULA AVP 

For inquiries, please contact stmsb@philsa.gov.ph and publicrelations@philsa.gov.ph

World Space Week is an international celebration of space science and technology and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1999 that World Space Week will be held each year from 04 – 10 October to commemorate the launch of the first satellite Sputnik (04 October 1957), and the signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (10 October 1967).

As the primary policy-making and coordinating body on all matters related to outer space, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is once again spearheading the country’s celebration of World Space Week through a lineup of events that aim to raise awareness and inspire action on the 2022 theme, “Space and Sustainability.” PhilSA, through its in-person, virtual, and hybrid activities, will gather and empower students, researchers, scientists, industry professionals, policy-makers, and the general public through the media, to promote the sustainable utilization of the outer space environment and the grassroots mobilization of space-borne data for the sustainable development of our society.

Data Camp: Show and Tell
05 October 2022
Via Zoom

As part of this year’s World Space Week, the Data Camp: Show and Tell of the Space Information Infrastructure Capacity Building and Training Program (SIICaP) will be a venue for the participants to present their proposed projects based on the lessons they had from the previous sessions. Awards will also be given to the best proposals and presentations.

#JoinTheMission and Don’t miss this event and register here: https://forms.gle/mUVbaTtvUsjQ4uVL6.

Watch the previous Data Camp sessions through the PhilSA YouTube account: https://www.youtube.com/c/PhilippineSpaceAgencyPhilSA/videos.

Watch the recording of the live streamed SIICaP Data Camp project proposal show and tell!

Space Technology Applications Exhibit: The Philippine Microsat Program
05 October 2022
Venice Grand Canal Mall, Taguig City

Meet the country’s space scientists from the Philippine Space Agency, STAMINA4Space Program, and DOST-ASTI this World Space Week at the Space Technology Applications Exhibit: The Philippine Microsat Program on 05 October 2022.

#JoinTheMission at Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City from 01:00 PM to 05:40 PM.

Watch the recording of the live streamed STA Exhibit launch on the PhilSA Facebook page! 

Space Technology Application Exhibit mall tour schedule: 

PINAS Project Launch
06 October 2022
Via Zoom

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) officially launches the PhilSA Integrated Network for Space-Enabled Actions towards Sustainability or the PINAS Project during World Space Week 2022.

Calling national government agencies, local government units, research institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector to join the virtual launch on 06 October 2022, 09:00 AM to 12:00 NN.

Scan the QR code below or register here: https://bit.ly/pinas-launch

Learn more about the PINAS Project here: https://bit.ly/3E98Ea7

Watch the recording of the live streamed PINAS Project launch on the PhilSA Facebook page!

Build Your Own Model Satellite
06 October 2022
Via Zoom

The Philippine Space Agency is inviting all kids aged 9-10, their parents, and siblings to join the Build Your Own Model Satellite Lecture and Competition.

Learn how to build a model satellite from recyclable or edible materials during the workshop on 06 October 2022 from 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM via Zoom. Winners will receive prizes.

Scan the QR Code below or register here: https://forms.gle/imTasx5zsJqv1RSY9

Space Science and Technology Lecture and Demo
07 October 2022
Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus, Davao City

We are celebrating a part of #WorldSpaceWeek2022 in Mindanao—on 07 October 2022, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) will be conducting the Space Science and Technology Lecture Demo at the Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus.

Grade 10 students will learn the basics of space science and technology applications, with a particular focus on amateur radio satellite communication and its relevance to sustainable development. The activity will also feature a demonstration of uplink communication with the Philippines’ Diwata-2 satellite!

Watch Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte’s message of support to the participants of the Space Science and Technology Lecture and Demo below.

Watch the recording of the live streamed Satellite Communication demo!

Space Data Dashboard Media Workshop
08 October 2022
ULyS³ES Facility, EEEI Building, UP Diliman, Quezon City

Filipino journalists are invited to #JoinTheMission and apply for the Space Data Dashboard Media Workshop of the Philippine Space Agency to be held during World Space Week 2022.

Read the requirements below and submit your applications here: https://forms.gle/X4FUQTWV7TSgY51UA

Here are the selected participants of the Space Data Dashboard Media Workshop 2022:

Speakers will talk about science communication and generating stories from the Space Data Dashboard, in line with this year’s #WorldSpaceWeek theme: ‘Space and Sustainability.”

“Should We Worry About Orbital Debris?”
10 October 2022
Via Zoom

The Philippine Space Agency is inviting you this World Space Week as we ask the question: “Should We Worry About Orbital Debris?” #JoinTheMission as we look for answers in our webinar on 10 October 2022, from 08:30 AM to 11:30 AM (PhST).

With the rapid progress in space science and technology applications and the emergence of new space-faring nations and non-state actors, the world is observing an increasing trend in outer space activities. The frequent launch of objects into outer space increases the number of rocket launches and the risks of damage from falling space debris, as well as collisions of space objects in orbit.

Learn more about orbital debris from the technical and policy perspectives during #WorldSpaceWeek and register here: https://forms.gle/1pag853p7ezaH7Nf9

Watch the recording of the live streamed “Should We Worry About Orbital Debris?” Webinar on the PhilSA Facebook page!

Be part of the next Philippine nanosatellites’ missions!

Students, researchers, and faculty members from Philippine universities and colleges are invited to join the Philippine Space Agency’s 2022 Nanosat Mission Idea Contest. 

The competition aims to provide the academic community a chance to propose mission ideas for the nanosatellite that will be designed, developed, built, launched, and operated by the ACCESS Nanosat Project team of PhilSA. The top three (3) winning teams will have the opportunity to realize their proposals and get involved in a nanosatellite mission design phase that will culminate in a mission design review. 

Eligibility

1. The competition is open to all bona fide students, researchers, and faculty members from Philippine universities and colleges.
2. Each team shall be composed of a maximum of seven (7) members:
   • – Three (3) to six (6) students and/or researchers
   • – One (1) faculty member serving as advisor and supervisor
   • – At least ⅓ of the team should be students 
   • – Students, researchers, and faculty members must be currently affiliated with the institution at the time of their entry to the contest
3.  A maximum of two (2) unique teams (i.e., without any common members except possibly the faculty advisor) are allowed from each university. Different campuses of a university system are distinctively treated as universities.

Mechanics

1. Teams must submit a mission proposal abstract using the template accessible here. 
2. The proposal must include a signed letter of endorsement from the team’s department chair, college dean, or university director.
3. The proposal must consider the characteristics and constraints of a 2U CubeSat with a maximum total space of about ~0.7U available for all NMIC mission payloads. See details here.
4. Though not required, contestants are highly encouraged to attend the Nanosatellite Mission Design Orientation and Tutorial set for 06 September 2022, 1:00 to 3:30 PM PhST. Please register here by 05 September 2022, 2:00 PM.
5. A preliminary evaluation will determine the shortlisted contestants for final evaluation. The organizers and panel of judges will decide on the number of shortlisted finalists depending on the submissions received.
6. Shortlisted contestants will present and defend their proposals to the panel of judges in a virtual conference as part of the final evaluation.
7. The top three (3) winners will be selected based on the following criteria:

Taking off from the official launch of the SIKAP+ Project last 23 May 2022, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is facilitating a training series for remote sensing practitioners, ground station operators, graduate students, faculty members, researchers, and policy professionals. Titled “Ground and Amateur Radio Operation for Satellite Communication Training Session”, the first of this training series will be held from August to September 2022. This online capacity-building activity is divided into thirteen (13) sessions–conducted in both synchronous and asynchronous modes – and will require participants to accomplish outputs.

PhilSA enables communities to harness the power of space data and infrastructures through capacity building projects. By the end of this training program, the participants are expected to be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary in understanding the basics of satellite communication, ground station operations, calibration and maintenance, and utilization of amateur radio kits for satellite and terrestrial communications. This will also enable ground station operators in the exchange of best practices and find novel partnerships to sustain these great efforts.

You may view the program here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BZPW7sqysh04ZjUTPNG5be6iyOJZdR004ZHmqocPYT0/edit?usp=sharing

For inquiries, you may reach us at sikap@philsa.gov.ph

Geospatial data are crucial in making informed decisions. They yield insights on land use changes, air and water quality, and even on disease surveillance during pandemics. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) processes these data and distributes them to concerned stakeholders.

In commemoration of PhilSA’s third anniversary, themed: Sama-samang Pagbangon Gamit ang Kaalaman mula Kalawakan, the Space Information Infrastructure Capacity Building and Training Program (SIICaP) will conduct a Data Camp series to show how space-borne data are processed and analyzed to benefit end users and communities.

The Data Camp will feature a series of online workshops focusing on geospatial data analysis workflow. Participants will learn about the different concepts, access, and open source technologies on geospatial datasets. The workshop will consist of lectures as well as facilitated access, exploration, and analysis of datasets through web notebooks. Participants without prior knowledge of geospatial data are welcome and encouraged to join.

The series is divided into five (5) sessions. The first session will kick off the event and will start the workshop on Python. The second session will discuss how to explore vector data and visualize them. The third session will focus on raster datasets concepts and analysis. The fourth session will combine the vector and raster tools to produce an analysis. Finally, the fifth session will showcase how PhilSA uses these tools in its operations. Furthermore, participants will get to showcase what they have learned and worked on during the workshops.

See more details below:

SIICaP is a project of PhilSA ISKUELA, or the Inclusive SSTA Know-how, Utilization, Exchange, and Localization Activities. ISKUELA envisions building an inclusive, sustainable, and capable local space science and technology community through knowledge transfer and capacity-building programs.

For inquiries, please contact siicap@philsa.gov.ph

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites everyone to Lakbay Kalawakan: An Introduction to Philippine Space Exploration Part 3 on 29 July 2022 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PhST. This webinar is part of the Space Information Infrastructure Capacity Building and Training Program (SIICaP). 

Part 1 introduced satellite technology and its history in the country. Part 2 focused on mission planning and ground stations. Part 3, the last installment of this webinar series, will tackle amateur radio technology onboard Philippine satellites.

The first presentation will be about the capabilities of the amateur radio unit, the payload responsible for the uplink and downlink communication to the ground stations. The second presentation from the Philippine Universities Ground Archiving and Data Reception (PUGAD) will demonstrate how messages from the Maya satellites are received and decoded.

Register now at this link. This webinar is free of charge.

SIICaP aims to promote and enhance the understanding of space information infrastructures and their applications through monthly events, such as webinars, hackathons, workshops, short courses, and resource person support.

SIICaP is a project of PhilSA ISKUELA, or the Inclusive SSTA Know-how, Utilization, Exchange, and Localization Activities. ISKUELA envisions building an inclusive, sustainable, and capable local space science and technology community through knowledge transfer and capacity-building programs.

For inquiries, please contact siicap@philsa.gov.ph.