PHL-MICROSAT-1: Developing the Philippines first microsatellite for scientific Earth observation

Abstract

In 2016, the Philippines intends to launch its first microsatellite into space under the DOST-funded research program: Development of Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite (PHL-MICROSAT), a collaboration between scientists and engineers from the University of the Philippines, the Advanced Science and Technology institute (ASTI) of the DOST and two Japanese universities: Hokkaido and Tohoku University. PHL-MICROSAT aims to build, launch, and effectively utilize the Philippines' first microsatellite for multi-spectral, high precision earth observation - nicknamed Diwata. For its science mission, Diwata will include the following science payloads - a high Precision Telescope (HPT); a Spaceborne Multi-Spectral imager (SMS); with Liquid Tunable Filter (LCTF) and a panchromatic Wide Field Camera (WFC). A fourth instrument, a colored Middle Field Camera (MFC) is intended as an engineering payload. In this talk, we will discuss the various components of the PHL-MICROSAT program and provide updates on the status of ongoing development of the microsatellite bus and payload systems.