Philippines, South Korea signs rocket development collaboration

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), together with Filipino public and private agencies, and Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Perigee Aerospace, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on March 4, 2026, to collaborate an initiative for rocket development and experimental launches in the Philippines. 

With the country’s location near the Pacific Ocean and proximity to the equator, this framework will test the viability of establishment and operation of a Philippine Spaceport as a gateway to space in the region. 

This partnership will also continue to strengthen Philippines’ capabilities in space research, engineering, and rocket and satellite development. It also aims to ensure safe and secure rocket launch and recovery operations over open waters. 

The MOU was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry R. Aguda, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Administrator and CEO Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile, Perigee Aerospace CEO Dong Yoon Shin, and Ascend International Gateway President Ramon C. Garcia Jr. during the Philippines–Korea Business Forum.

Developing Philippines’ launch capability

The agreement was built on the rocket technology know-how transfer and training program undertaken by PhilSA engineers in South Korea from October to November 2025.

The ‘Know-How Transfer and Training program on Small Launch Vehicle’ was a partnership between selected PhilSA engineers and South Korea’s Perigee Aerospace through hands-on rocket engineering and international cooperation.

This program equipped Filipino aerospace engineers with foundational and applied knowledge in launch vehicle systems through classroom instruction in basic rocket theory and practical experience in rocket subsystem assembly.

This initiative also represents the Philippines’ transition from a space service user to a more active contributor in the regional space sector. 

The training came from the long-standing cooperation between PhilSA and Perigee since signing the MOU in 2022 in the Philippines. 

Since then, both institutions have engaged in collaborative activities related to rocket technologies and small launch vehicle missions.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized that business agreements signed between various industries, including shipbuilding, nuclear energy, aerospace, critical minerals supply chains, retail, and health and wellness, deepen economic relations. 

“All of these will ripple into significant partnerships that will generate projects, investments, and of course, livelihood,” the President said.

The Philippine Space Agency was created in August 2019 under Republic Act No. 11363, or the Philippine Space Act, which aims to plan, promote, and develop a national space program in line with Philippine Space Policy. 

PhilSA is also an attached agency of the Office of the President of the Philippines for purposes of policy and program coordination and to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities. (By Regina Andres, INQUIRER.net Intern)