The Philippines’ first microsatellite, DIWATA-1, can be viewed beginning December in an exhibit made for kids at the Museo Pambata.
The display at the Museo Pambata’s I Love my Planet Earth Room allows kids to explore outer space through the images recorded by the Filipino microsatellite.
The Discover DIWATA-1 museum display shows a life-size model of the microsat, another one orbiting the Earth, and also shows how the Filipino-made microsatellite is used in studying weather patterns, and the earth’s geography.
Children can also role play while wearing lab gowns and goggles at the replica ground receiving center of DIWATA-1.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), set up the Discover DIWATA-1 exhibit in cooperation with the Museo Pambata.
DIWATA-1 is a product of thesis studies of Filipino scientists and joint project of University of the Philippines and DOST in cooperation with Hokkaido and Tohoku Universities in Japan where the Filipino scientists are studying for their Masters program.
DIWATA-1 is expected to finish its space journey after 20 months in a space orbit 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface after its launch on April 27, 2016.