The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that the development of the country’s next generation satellite is included in its priority agenda.
Dubbed as Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment or MULA, the 130-kilogram low-orbit earth observation satellite currently being developed by Filipino engineers is targeted for launch by 2023.
“MULA is part of DOST’s priority agenda under the emerging technology sector providing space technology application to public services,” DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said.
“I am looking forward to how MULA’s enhanced imaging capabilities may help improve areas like disaster management, land use planning and land cover change mapping, crop monitoring and forest management,” he added.
The satellite will become the country’s first commercial-grade satellite capable of addressing several of the nation’s challenges through satellite applications in disaster management, land use and land cover change mapping, crop monitoring, and forestry management.
The DOST chief said 16 engineers are involved in the development of MULA, and nine of them have now returned in the country after completing their training in the United Kingdom.
It is currently being developed by the Advanced Satellite and Know-how Transfer for the Philippines (ASP) Project of the Space Technology Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program.
The project is implemented by the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), and in coordination with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
“MULA holds great significance to the Department of Science and Technology because aside from being the biggest Philippine satellite being developed to date, this is the first satellite that the DOST is doing in coordination with the Philippine Space Agency,” he said.
“I am confident in the PhilSA which will be overseeing MULAs completion and expected launch by 2023, as well as its management and operation thereafter,” he added.