The Philippines could soon see the first Filipino to go in space through the government’s collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
In a statement, the DTI said this was one of the topics discussed during a high-level discussion between Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and executives of SpaceX and Starlink in Hawthorne, California last week.
The agency said the meeting was held to discuss the prospect of expanding satellite broadband connectivity across the Philippines, alongside other transformative projects.
“Beyond connectivity, the meeting explored transformative possibilities in space. SpaceX, Starlink’s sister company, raised the prospect of sending the first Filipino into space under their human space flight program,” the DTI stated.
SpaceX, a space technology company founded by Musk, has launched several spacecrafts carrying cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS), as well as missions featuring a civilian crew.
So far, neither the company nor space agencies, such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), have carried a Filipino into the final frontier.
According to science publication Scientific American, more than 700 people have flown past the boundary of space, covering 47 countries.
The DTI noted that SpaceX boasts an impressive track record of over 450 successful launches, flying out 56 crew members to space at “unparalleled affordability,” and handling 90 percent of the world’s payload in 2024.
The possibility of bringing a Filipino to space underscores the country’s potential to become a player in the global space arena, it said.
Notably, SpaceX has contributed to disaster relief efforts and collaborated with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to enhance educational and rural connectivity.
According to the DTI, the meeting also highlighted Starlink’s significant progress in making the country a key hub in Southeast Asia with its 100,000 subscribers and 13 ground gateway sites.
The Philippines was the first country in the region to adopt Starlink’s services, making it an early leader in leveraging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology for nationwide digital inclusion.
“Internet connectivity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. With Starlink’s cutting-edge satellite technology, we can ensure that even the most geographically isolated communities in the Philippines have access to fast and reliable internet,” said Roque.
During the dialogue, Starlink outlined its expansion plans for its terminals, which Roque said the country can benefit from.
With this, the DTI chief once again highlighted the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act for its tax incentives for high-tech industries.
“We are fully committed to fostering a more business-friendly environment for tech companies like SpaceX,” Roque said.
“The Philippines is taking bold steps to modernize its digital infrastructure policies, ensuring that innovation-driven firms can thrive while delivering essential services to Filipinos,” she added.