DOST: DIWATA 1, first Pinoy-made satellite to launch April 2016

MANILA, 15 Jan. (PIA) -- The Philippines is set to launch its very own and proudly Philippine-made microsatellite codenamed ‘Diwata 1’ or female deity in Filipino, sometime in April 2016.

Young Filipino scientists from the University of the Philippines and officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Wednesday turned over the microsatellite to their counterparts at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa) in Tsukuba City for further testing.

For his part, Science Secretary Mario Montejo said Diwata 1 would be used for environmental and weather analysis.

Data that will be obtained by the microsatellite, Montejo said, will be “crucial for our farmers to adjust planting methods and procedures in light of climate change.”

A microsatellite is considerably smaller and lighter than ordinary satellites, only weighing around 50 kilograms, which makes it cheaper to launch in space. However, a microsatellite could still provide sufficient observational data such as pictures and other scientific measurements.

Diwata 1 will be able to capture up to 3,600 images daily using a High Precision Telescope and a Spaceborne Multispectral Imager. These photos can be used for disaster preparedness and response, environmental conservation and analysis as well as security purposes among others.

Diwata 1 is part of the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite (PHL-Microsat) Program, which aims to send two microsatellites in space. The second launch is slated in 2017. (DOST/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)