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