President’s Hall, Malacañang
20 June 2016

President Benigno S. Aquino III received a replica display of the DIWATA-1 Microsatellite during a courtesy call of DOST officials in Malacañan Palace.

Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo led the group of DOST officials and engineers, who designed and assembled the micro-satellite, in the handover and photo opportunity. They also presented a coffee table book entitled “Diwata-1” containing photos and articles on how the satellite was created.

Considered as a milestone achievement of the Aquino Administration and the country’s space technology, the launching of Diwata-1 will provide real-time images for disaster risk management and other applications.

Equipped with a high precision telescope (HPT), the microsatellite can determine the extent of damages from disasters, such as typhoons and volcanic eruptions, as well as monitor volcanic activities, vegetation and ocean productivity.

The DIWATA-1, also known as PHL-MICROSAT, was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on March 23, 2016, and was released into the outer space by the Japanese Experiment Module, nicknamed “Kibo,” on April 27. It is expected to orbit 400 kilometers around the earth.

The PHL-MICROSAT Team is now looking into developing the second microsatellite or DIWATA-2 to be launched in 2017.

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