Newsletter: Filipino students command robot in space, wins 3rd place at international programming contest

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University of Tokyo Professor Shinichi Nakasuka and JAXA Astronaut Norishige Kanai announce the Philippines’ Team Inflection Point’s win during the 6th Kibo-RPC finals. Photo courtesy of JAXA/NASA.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) proudly announces that team Inflection Point of the Batangas State University (BatStateU) has won again in the international Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC), securing 3rd place in the final round. Team Inflection Point commanded NASA’s Astrobee robot aboard the Japanese “Kibo” module of the International Space Station (ISS) with their own program, competing against teams all over the world in image recognition accuracy and mission speed.

Newsletter: PhilSA, Commission on Filipinos Overseas to engage Filipino youth and global experts in advancing space science and technology

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(L-R) CFO Executive Director Atty. Ma. Arlene S. Borja, CFO Chairperson Dante Francis M. Ang, II, PhilSA Director General Dr. Gay Jane Perez, and PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Marc Caesar Talampas

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) have partnered to collaborate on its programs for the Filipino Youth to advance space science and technology, and strengthen engagement with overseas Filipinos through educational, cultural, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

PhilSA Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. and CFO Chairperson Dante Francis M. Ang, II signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 18 June 2026.

Under the agreement, both agencies will collaborate on their cultural and educational programs such as the PhilSA Space Science Camp and CFO's Exchange Visitor Program (EVP), Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD), and the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. 

The partnership will also tap overseas Filipino scientists, engineers, researchers, and technology experts through the EVP to share their knowledge and experiences to support the country's national space program. This will also inspire the youth and highlight the significant contributions of Filipinos to the world. 

"Building a sustainable space program is not only about satellites, infrastructure, or technology. It is equally about cultivating an informed and engaged citizenry that understands how space science and technology can contribute to addressing societal challenges and creating opportunities for national development," PhilSA Director General Perez said, emphasizing the importance of public awareness and education to Filipinos.

“This partnership brings our shared aspirations together. We hope to inspire overseas Filipino youth to appreciate Philippine achievements in science and technology, continue to engage Filipino scientists, researchers, engineers, and innovators abroad in supporting our country's growing space sector, and foster greater collaboration between the diaspora and the homeland,” CFO Chairperson Ang said.

Through this partnership, PhilSA and CFO will strengthen connections between the Philippines and its global community, creating more opportunities for overseas Filipinos to contribute their expertise and talents to the country's growing space ecosystem.

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Newsletter: PhilSA’s children’s book, 'Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!' goes international

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PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Perez and UNOOSA Director Holla-Maini during the launch of the UN version of 'Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!’

The United Nations edition of the Philippine children's book 'Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!’ was officially launched on 12 June 2026 during the 69th United Nations (UN) Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Vienna, Austria. The book was published in English with translations in French, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

Newsletter: Satellite data show landslides from 7.8-magnitude earthquake

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is currently analyzing available satellite data on the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern portion of Mindanao on 08 June 2026.

Newsletter: PhilSA launches HiRAYA to recognize student research in space science and technology

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is set to recognize outstanding high school students doing space research through the PhilSA High School Research and Innovation Award to Yield Advancement in Space Science and Technology, or PhilSA HiRAYA. 

Newsletter: EU-PH Digital Economy Package to enhance bandwidth connectivity, satellite data access, 5G regulatory support, and cybersecurity

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(Center) Head of Cooperation from the European Union Delegation to the Philippines Dr. Marco Gemmer, PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez. Ph.D., and Deputy Director General for Space Operations, Infrastructure, and Industry Denis F. Villorente with members of the steering committee

Implementing partners of the European Union (EU)-Philippines Digital Economy Package convened the first Project Steering Committee Meeting on 04 June 2026.

This initiative aims to support the development of Philippines as a digital hub in the region by improving connectivity, ensuring reliable access to Copernicus data to support decision-making on socio-economic concerns, and upskilling personnel on 5G and cybersecurity. It also complements capacity building efforts under the National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme or CopPhil through a data-driven approach on strengthening disaster management and climate action initiatives.

Newsletter: Satellite data show earthquake damaged areas, coastal uplift, and return of nighttime lights

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is currently analyzing available satellite data on the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern portion of Mindanao on 08 June 2026.

Newsletter: Nighttime satellite data shows overview of earthquake damaged areas

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is currently analyzing available satellite data on the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao on 8 June 2026.

Newsletter: President Marcos Jr. convenes Philippine Space Council, approves programs on satellite development and key space initiatives

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MULA’s main satellite body prior to integration with its camera payload

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the 9th Philippine Space Council (PSC) meeting on Tuesday and set plans to strengthen the country's space capabilities through satellite development and space data utilization.

Newsletter: Philippines and Japan sign joint declaration to continue decades of space cooperation

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) signed a Joint Declaration of Interest in Space Cooperation on 27 May 2026, reaffirming their shared goals and objectives, and their interest in exploring cooperation and industry partnerships in Satellite Joint Mission Partnership and Data Applications, Space Exploration and Human Spaceflight, and Space Sustainability. The declaration was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan.

Newsletter: Advisory on "Space Jellyfish” sighting on May 12

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(Photo credit: Rachiel Batutay Bolaljog)

The lights sighted over parts of the Philippines on the evening of 12 May 2026, at around 8:10PM PhST, are highly likely due to the passage of the Long March 6A (Chang Zheng 6A) rocket launched by the People's Republic of China from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center at approximately 7:58 PM PhST.

Newsletter: Satellite data show crop areas affected by ashfall from Mayon

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) produced a crop exposure map showing ash-affected Physical Rice Areas (orange) and Other Crop Areas (yellow) following the reported pyroclastic density current along the Mi-isi gully of Mayon Volcano on 2 May 2026. At least 1,039 hectares (10.39 sqkm) of rice and 191 hectares (1.91 sqkm) of other crops were potentially affected because they are found within the Estimated Ash Deposit Extent (delineated in red, based on a previous analysis by PhilSA published on 5 May). The combined area of potentially affected crops is around the size of Mandaluyong City.

Newsletter: Satellite data show barangays affected by ashfall from Mayon

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) produced a map showing areas covered by ash deposits (bounded in red) from the reported pyroclastic density current along the Mi-isi gully of Mayon Volcano on 02 May 2026. The ash deposits (shaded in red) were classified using change detection on a Sentinel-2 satellite image from 04 May 2026 (shown top) compared with a reference image from before the event (28 April 2026). The bottom map overlays the estimated ash deposit extent to show potentially affected barangays. Based on the analysis, at least 8,544 hectares (~85,440 sqkm) were covered by ashfall. For comparison, this area is around half the size of Quezon City.

Newsletter: Satellite data shows NO2 concentration in Metro Manila down to pre-fire levels for two consecutive days

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. Coinciding with reports on Tuesday (28 April) that significant progress has been made in suppressing the fire, satellite data shows that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration in Metro Manila has fallen below 6 April (pre-fire) levels for two consecutive days. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke, and lower NO2 concentrations indicate a reduction in the volume of smoke emitted from the landfill fire. 

Newsletter: A decade after Diwata-1: From crisis to capability

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On 27 April 2016, microsatellite Diwata-1 became the first Filipino-built satellite in orbit. It was deployed from the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) of the International Space Station (Photo credit: JAXA/NASA)

In the aftermath of Yolanda in 2013, the Philippines faced one of its most devastating disasters. Entire communities were flattened, and the country urgently needed satellite imagery to assess damage and guide response efforts. At the time, however, access to space data was constrained, highlighting a critical gap in the country’s disaster management capabilities.

Newsletter: Daily monitoring of satellite data shows air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels

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The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (23 April), the Bureau of Fire Protection has reported “smoldering conditions” onsite and satellite data show that air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels. Daily monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration over Metro Manila (taken every 8:45AM), shows that levels are still higher than on 6 April, prior to the fire. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke.

Newsletter: PhilSA, Hungarian University MATE forge partnership for agricultural research, education, and tech development

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PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Ph.D. (seated left) and MATE Rector Csaba Gyuricza (seated right) sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), witnessed by PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar R. Talampas (left-most) and Her Excellency Titanilla Tóth, Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines (right-most)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 20 April 2026 to advance agricultural research, education, and technology development. The agreement was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez and MATE Rector Dr. Csaba Gyuricza.

Newsletter: Satellite image on Thursday, 16 April, shows 28.6 hectares burned in Navotas landfill fire

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This image shows the estimated burned area affected in the Navotas landfill fire, which reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (16 April, 10:33AM), six days after the fire reportedly broke out, there was an estimated 28.58 hectares (~285,800 sqm) of burned area (delineated in red). For comparison, this area is slightly larger than the Quezon Memorial Circle. 

Newsletter: Satellite data show smoke from Navotas fire reached as far as Bataan

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This map shows how far smoke spread in the aftermath of the Navotas landfill fire, which broke out at approximately 8PM on April 10, 2026. The time-lapse map shows hourly snapshots from 7:45AM (featured) to 3:45PM on the following day, April 11. Darker colors indicate higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, a proxy for smoke extent, which can be measured during daytime using satellite data.

Newsletter: PhilSA, NIA partner to use space data for irrigation and water management

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Photo Credit: National Irrigation Administration (NIA)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to apply space technology in improving irrigation systems and water resource management across the Philippines.