PH to launch satellite network to aid agriculture, disaster response
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved plans to develop a constellation of Earth observation satellites under the country’s flagship Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) program, alongside other space initiatives aimed at strengthening communications, disaster response, national security and the use of satellite data across government.
During the ninth Philippine Space Council (PSC) last week, Marcos presided over discussions on the country’s space program and approved several resolutions intended to strengthen the Philippines’ space capabilities, according to a statement released by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
Among the updates presented to the council was the progress of the MULA satellite, which PhilSA described as the Philippines’ most advanced satellite to date.
PhilSA ad interim Director General Gay Jane Perez said MULA is fully built and undergoing space environment testing in the United Kingdom to verify that it meets technical and mission assurance requirements. The agency said the satellite could be launched as early as April 2027 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-20 mission.
Once operational, MULA is expected to provide data for agriculture, maritime monitoring, disaster risk reduction and management and national security.
In October 2022, Marcos announced that the country was developing MULA, then projected for launch in 2025. At the time, Malacañang described it as the Philippines’ fifth and most expensive satellite, costing more than P2.578 billion.
The 130-kilogram satellite was designed to significantly improve the country’s Earth observation capabilities. Earlier project documents showed it could cover up to 73,000 square kilometers within 24 hours and collect data across the country’s land, air and maritime domains.
MULA main satellite body prior to integration with its camera payload. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Space Agency.
It is also expected to help detect air and water quality conditions, identify potential fishing grounds, monitor traffic conditions and track vessels within Philippine waters.
READ: PH eyes launch of biggest, costliest satellite in 2025
Marcos said he expected the satellite to strengthen government operations in several sectors.
“I am looking forward to the development of our satellite and its subsequent launching sometime in 2025,” the President said following a meeting with space officials that year.
He also said that with data and scientific innovations from the space agency, “we will be able to enhance our national security, as well as our preparedness for disasters, and the improvement of our economy.”
In 2024, Marcos said the satellite — which was developed by 16 Filipino engineers deployed by PhilSA in the UK — will be used for disaster resilience, environmental conservation and national security.
“MULA will provide the country with vital data for disaster resilience, environmental conservation and national security,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.
READ: Marcos announces upcoming launch of MULA satellite
MULA constellation approved
Beyond the launch of a single spacecraft, the council approved the development of a MULA satellite constellation as a national priority.
The move would allow the Philippines to build additional MULA satellites locally under a license that permits domestic reproduction of the spacecraft.
“PhilSA proposes to build a MULA constellation, composed of follow-on satellites developed and integrated domestically, to secure long-term continuity and improved availability of Earth observation data for government users,” Perez told the council.
“This will anchor the maturation of a Philippine space industry, and establish a nationally owned and operated Earth observation capacity commensurate with the country’s strategic requirements,” she added.
According to PhilSA, deploying multiple satellites would increase the frequency of observations over Philippine territory while helping develop local satellite manufacturing capabilities and the broader space industry.
The agency has previously described MULA as a major step in building domestic expertise in satellite development.
The spacecraft traces its roots to the Advanced Satellite and Know-How Transfer for the Philippines (ASP) project, implemented by scientists and engineers from the University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute in coordination with PhilSA. Development was carried out with support from British satellite manufacturer Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
READ: PH to launch biggest satellite in 2023
Communications satellite, rocket launch
The council also approved a resolution supporting the establishment of a Philippine geostationary telecommunications satellite.
PhilSA said the proposed satellite would provide a reliable and resilient communications network, particularly during emergencies when terrestrial communications systems may be disrupted. The agency said it would serve as a critical backup network to help ensure public safety, connectivity and continuity of government services.
The government is also targeting the launch of the first liquid-fueled rocket from the Philippines by early next year from Lal-lo Airport in Cagayan.
According to PhilSA, the mission aims to demonstrate a domestic propellant supply chain, as well as safety and launch authorization procedures for future local rocket launches.
The agency said the activity would be part of initial efforts to establish and operate a Philippine spaceport.
“With the Pacific Ocean to its east and its proximity to the equator, the Philippines is well positioned for safe and secure rocket launch and recovery operations, helping to reduce costs, improve launch efficiency and create opportunities for future space activities,” PhilSA said.
Expanding use of satellite data
The council also approved a resolution to harmonize satellite data requirements across government agencies, a move aimed at streamlining the use of satellite-derived information for infrastructure planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation.
PhilSA said the initiative aligns with Marcos’ earlier directive to make space technology more accessible and useful to Filipinos.
Following the eighth PSC meeting last year, then-PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano Jr. said the president had instructed agencies to strengthen public engagement on space technologies.
“The President instructed us to bring space technology closer to the people, especially to the young ones,” Marciano said.
“By bringing it to the public, we can communicate the benefits of space technology better in addressing the many programs of the government. We’re there with the other government agencies in trying to achieve better synergy for using space technology,” he added.
READ: Marcos orders gov’t agencies to bring space tech closer to Filipinos
PhilSA reported distributing 59,455 satellite images and maps and signing 12 space data mobilization agreements with government agencies between July 2022 and June 2024.
The agency also told the council that satellite imagery has been provided to support the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation of flood control projects as part of efforts to improve transparency and accountability in government.
Addressing space debris
Another measure approved during the meeting was the establishment of a national response protocol on space debris.
PhilSA said the policy comes as space launches continue to increase worldwide, raising concerns over orbital debris and its potential risks.
The agency said an interagency technical working group on orbital debris, led by PhilSA, will continue developing national policies and protocols aligned with international standards for handling debris-related issues.
Created under Republic Act 11363, or the Philippine Space Act, the Philippine Space Council serves as the government’s principal advisory body for coordinating policies, programs and resources related to space science and technology applications. The council is tasked with approving strategic directions and key decisions for the implementation of the country’s space program. /dm
