The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) held the inaugural Space Ecosystem Corps (SPOC) on 05 December 2023 at the UP Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute in Quezon City.
Envisioned to be a community of practice (CoP) focused on space science and technology applications (SSTA) in the Philippines, the local space corps aims to hold regular exchanges and dissemination of information, best practices, and feedback on SSTA programs, developments, and related matters— making the gathering a space hub for learning and skill sharing among officials and experts.
Joined by developers, end users, experts, and practitioners from the government, industry, diplomatic corps, and academe in the country, the SPOC meetings are targeted to occur every two months.
PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr., for his welcome remarks, briefly recounted how SPOC came into fruition and explained the importance of building this CoP or space ecosystem for collaboration and communication in the field of SSTA. He then showcased the Agency’s first children’s book, titled “Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!”
A simultaneous guided tour at the University Laboratory for Small Satellites and Space Engineering Systems (ULyS3ES) laboratory 5th floor and rocket debris exhibit was also held, facilitated by PhilSA researchers and engineers. Among the areas featured were the Amateur Radio and Satellite Station (ARSS) or Philippine Universities Ground Archiving and Data Reception (PUGAD) ground station, clean booth, Diwata structure, Diwata table satellite, prototyping area, Helmholtz cage, and soldering station.
University of the Philippines (UP) President Angelo Jimenez, Programme Manager Environment & Climate Change Giovanni Serritella of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines, Department of Finance (DOF) Assistant Secretary Glenda Rumohr; UP Diliman College of Science Dean Giovanni Tapang; and Aboitiz Data Innovation AI and Innovation Center of Excellence Head Adrienne Heinrich joined the inaugural SPOC session.
Overall, the SPOC members, bound by collective action, are on the mission of building and sustaining a robust and vibrant space ecosystem and economy in the Philippines.
#JoinTheMission 🛰️✨
As part of his welcome remarks, PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr. presented the first-ever children’s book of the Agency, titled “Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!”
PhilSA researchers and engineers conducted a guided tour of space facilities such as the CubeSat demo, ARSS or PUGAD ground station, clean booth, Diwata structure, Diwata table satellite, prototyping area, Helmholtz cage, and soldering station at the ULyS3ES laboratory 5th floor.
Engr. Gladys Bajaro, Science Research Specialist from the Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau–Spacecraft Payload and Communications Systems Development Division (STMSB–SPCSDD), discussed the engineering model of the Maya-3 CubeSat.
Engr. Judiel Reyes, Science Research Specialist from the STMSB–SPCSDD, toured the SPOC attendees around the clean booth, Diwata-2 structure, Diwata table satellite, prototyping area, Helmholtz cage, and soldering station.
UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez gave an inspirational message highlighting the importance of communication and collaboration within the scientific community.
STMSB Director Dr. Marc Caesar Talampas gave an overview of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA), Angkop sa Kalawakan, Yari at Tatak (AKYAT) Pilipinas, and Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Service (INCENTIVISE).
Space Information Infrastructure Bureau (SIIB) Director Dr. Ariel Blanco also discussed about the Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil) and PhilSA Integrated Network for Space-enabled Actions toward Sustainability (PINAS).
Engr. Dominic Fargas, Jr., Science Research Specialist from the SIIB–Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division, showed the enhanced Space Data Dashboard.
Mr. Giovanni Serritella, Programme Manager Environment & Climate Change, of the European Union Delegation to the Philippines, joined the inaugural SPOC session
Mr. Roven Tumaneng of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development discussed the different opportunities for R&D on space development through the DOST Grants-in-Aid.
Mr. Arnel Tenorio of the Department of Agriculture (DA)–Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE) introduced the Geographic Information System for Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery and Infrastructure (GEOAGRI), highlighting the map dashboard page of the Philippines.
PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Gay Jane Perez officially closed the SPOC program.
DOF Assistant Secretary Atty. Glenda Rumohr (middle) with (R-L) PhilSA Director General Dr. Marciano and Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Perez.
(L-R) Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Perez, UP President Atty. Jimenez, PhilSA Director General Dr. Marciano, and UP Diliman College of Science Dean Dr. Giovanni Tapang.