DIWATA, the first all-Filipino assembled microsatellite, was launched Wednesday by NASA. The potential uses of DIWATA include: improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. Photo: www.gov.ph
MANILA (Mabuhay) – The Philippines made history on Wednesday with the launch of its first microsatellite Diwata-1.
The 50-kilogram imaging satellite will be part of the payload of private aerospace company Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft, which lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA at past 11 a.m. (Philippine time).
The Cygnus spacecraft carrying the DIWATA-1, seen in this real-time visualization courtesy of NASA, has just been. posted by Timothy James Dimacali on Tuesday, March 22.
The Pinoy microsatellite will stay on board the International Space Station until the end of April. It will be launched into space at an altitude of 400 kilometers above the Earth surface.
DIWATA, the first all-Filipino assembled microsatellite, was launched Wednesday by NASA. The potential uses of DIWATA include: improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, detecting agricultural growth patterns, and the monitoring of forest cover, mining, protection of cultural and historical sites, and the territorial borders of the Philippines. Photo: www.gov.ph
Once in orbit, Diwata will monitor weather patterns and crop health, among other tasks.
Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. called the launch a proud and historic milestone for the country’s science and technology sector.
“The launch of Diwata-1 is not only a giant leap for Philippine science and technology. It could also provide Philippine policy makers with the scientific data and information needed to formulate policies relating to disaster mitigation, agricultural productivity and management of land and water resources,” he said.(MNS)