MANILA – The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) will spend PHP2.578 billion on the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA), the Philippines' satellite development project that is eyed for launch in 2025.
PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. told the Senate the country is expected to gain PHP5.782 billion from MULA, mostly from the value of the data produced within a five-year lifetime for a single satellite.
"Ine-negotiate po natin (We will negotiate) with other countries which have the rockets and the commercial services for launching satellites. Kinakausap po natin ‘yung mga space agency sa ibang bansa or even ‘yung commercial outfits para isakay ‘yung satellite (We talk to space agencies in other countries and even the commercial outfits to launch the satellite)," Marciano said.
For 2023, PhilSA allotted PHP828 million to continue developing the MULA project.
The satellite can travel around the Earth 15 times a day, which is expected to leverage the Philippines into creating commercial opportunities for data and to forge partnerships with other countries.
When PhilSA acquires a license of rebuilding another operational application-specific satellite like MULA, Marciano said they will customize it to build a better version.
"Gusto natin i-increase ang (We want to increase the) local content. We will work with local companies to contribute inputs to do future versions of the satellite. ‘Yun po yung ating pathway na magkaroon tayo ng industriya sa space dito sa ating bansa (That will be our pathway to have our own space industry in the country)," he added.
PhilSA is asking for PHP756.325 million to fund its 2023 operations.
It is also in negotiation with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for capital outlay to be used in building satellite testing facilities.
PhilSA, under the Office of the President, addresses all national issues and activities related to space science and technology applications.
Created under Republic Act No. 11363 or the Philippine Space Act that was signed in 2019, the PhilSA is mandated “to be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop, and promote the national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy.” (PNA)
