The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and In-Space Missions Limited (ISM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 30 November 2023 to establish PhilSA’s formal participation in the Faraday Dragon Mission. This 2023, PhilSA participated in ISM’s UK Space Agency (UKSA) International Bilateral Fund Phase 1 and are named a beneficiary for payload development funding for Phase 2, subject to award and contract.
The Faraday Dragon Mission is a multi-agency satellite rideshare mission by ISM, targeted for launch in 2026 where PhilSA and other mission partners will showcase their technologies. Faraday Dragon is the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, providing areas of possible cooperation between regional organizations and the UKSA that will deliver economic benefits, capacity-building, and other commercial opportunities.
With support from UKSA and the European Space Agency (ESA), ISM developed the Faraday satellite platform and service capability which will fly multiple payloads for various regional space players such as the government, civil, commercial and research & educational organizations.
Under the MOU, PhilSA will participate in the satellite rideshare missions that will be organized and led by BAE Systems In-Space Missions, gaining access to the performance of a 150kg-class small satellite for the fraction of traditional service costs. Together with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), National University of Singapore (NUS), Addvalue, Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and the National Tsing Hua University mission partners, PhilSA will share its knowledge, experience, and training expertise.
Meanwhile, ISM will create opportunities for data sharing, low-cost technology integration and testing, and other value-added services as needed.
With its potential impact on the research & development (R&D) of space science and technology applications (SSTA) of the Philippines, this collaboration highlights the strength of regional cooperation and collaboration for sustainable development in space.
Preliminary meetings between PhilSA and ISM occurred during the Global Space & Technology Convention last February 2023 where the Faraday Dragon’s design was presented, and on March 2023 where PhilSA and BAE Systems In-Space Missions had a 2-day workshop to discuss the feasibility of integrating PhilSA’s payloads into the BAES In-Space Missions bus system.
About PhilSA
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space S&T applications. Created under Republic Act No. 11363 or the Philippine Space Act, the PhilSA is an attached agency of the Office of the President for purposes of policy and program coordination, and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.
About In-Space Missions Limited
In-Space Missions Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, are experts who design, build and operate physical and digital customer missions, providing low-cost access to space based on pooled satellite resources available from the operation payloads of involved partners. The company is based in Alton, United Kingdom.