It took a long time, but I hope this will continue and the government will continue to support our scientist and engineers in the field of science and technology.
DIWATA-1, Philippines' first micro satellite for multi spectral high precision earth observation, during a media tour at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tsukuba Space Center in Tsukuba, north of Tokyo, Japan, January 13, 2016. Photos by Yuya Shino, Reuters
"The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has turned over the Philippines’ first microsatellite to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency for shipment to the US and launching into orbit by April.
Diwata-1 is designed and built by a team of nine Filipino engineers and scientists with the guidance and mentoring of aerospace experts from Tohoku University and Hokkaido University in Japan.
The handover means the successful culmination of the DOST-funded and conceptualized program aimed at building the country’s own microsatellite with which it can do imaging of the land and sea for disaster management and for monitoring of forests, marine areas and agricultural lands.
Undersecretary Rowena Guevara said the turnover also meant that the Philippine team will start working on Diwata-2, which should be completed and launched next year when Diwata-1’s orbit ends."
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