SPACE TECH. Diwata-1, the country’s first-ever earth-observing microsatellite, helps monitor deforestation and track weather patterns, playing important roles in climate observation. As the country observes World Space Week, the Climate Change Commission said Friday (Oct. 4 2024), the Philippine government is gearing towards space-based solutions leveraging modern space technology to strengthen environmental protection and climate resilience. (Photo grabbed from STAMINA4Space website)
MANILA – The Philippines is gearing towards using modern space technology to further strengthen environmental protection and climate resilience.
In a Facebook post on Friday, the Climate Change Commission said while the country has been experiencing hard blows of climate change through intensified typhoons, rising sea levels, and environmental degradation, the use of space technology has become integral in monitoring and mitigating these effects.
The CCC said the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), established in 2019 under the Philippine Space Act (RA 11363), is helping them.
“Satellites like Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 along with the Copernicus program launched under the EU Earth Observation initiative, are paving the way for these efforts,” the CCC said.
Diwata-1, the country’s first-ever microsatellite was launched to space in 2016, while Diwata-2 was launched in 2018.
The Department of Science and Technology said Diwata-1 is an earth-observing microsatellite with three optical instruments used for scientific earth observation, including the studying of the extent of damages from natural disasters.
Diwata-2, on the other hand, carries the same optical cameras for scientific earth observation found in Diwata-1, with specific improvements including an Enhanced Resolution Camera (ERC) for pansharpening images and can be used as an alternative mode of communication for emergency response.
Both Diwata 1 and 2 help monitor deforestation and track weather patterns, playing important roles in climate observation.
Meanwhile, the Copernicus program, a part of the European Union (EU) Earth Observation initiative, has also been a key partner in these initiatives, expanding the country's access to valuable global data.
More recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the upcoming launch of the Filipino-made Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite, set for 2025.
The MULA satellite was developed by 16 Filipino engineers.
The satellite will enhance data collection on vital areas such as typhoon tracking, drought monitoring, and even coastal degradation, helping the Philippines respond more effectively to natural calamities.
The country’s collaboration with international space organizations, including NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the European Space Agency (ESA), strengthens its role in global climate adaptation efforts.
These partnerships enable the sharing of space-derived data, contributing to the development of better climate policies both in the Philippines and worldwide.
This push for space-based environmental protection coincides with the celebration of World Space Week (WSW), an annual event held from October 4 to 10, organized by the World Space Week Association (WSWA) and the United Nations (UN), highlights the importance of space exploration and its contributions to improving life on Earth.
With space technology at the forefront, the Philippines continues to harness space technology and position itself to fight climate change and work towards a sustainable future. (PNA)
