Marking as the first Filipino Microsatellite launched to the International Space Station (ISS), Diwata 1 or also known as PHL-Microsat-1 is now at space as eye of Filipinos orbiting the sky and stamping at the Philippine history of Astronomy.

Leaping in the history of space science not only in the country but across the globe, the satellite launched last March 23, 2016 carried by Atlas V rocket and reached the ISS last March 26.

Named after Philippine folklore creature of power and enchantment, Diwata 1 is designed and built by Filipino engineers from DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and the University of the Philippines collaborated with scientists and engineers from two universities in Japan.

Having its 20-month voyage, its uses and benefits are undeniably vast. Mainly, it’s calibrated for disaster management and weather forecasting prior to the innovation and prioritization of the government in reducing the effects of natural disasters in the country particularly by typhoons. It could also be used in the field of agriculture, projecting the climate for the scheduling of crops. Also, in forest cover monitoring and national security are included for it is geared with high resolution cameras which are effective in casting.

Notably that Diwata 1 is a great aid for us Filipinos, now. Its wide uses have obviously deep marks for it could save lives and bring notable progress among us. And, it is a head start of the Pearl of the East in scientific capacities in the race of worldwide competency.

By: Nhicar D. Quiroz