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UP hosts PhilSA public lecture on Diwata-1 journey

| Written by Clariza Concordia

Looking back and beyond. Experts gathered to reflect on the historic journey of Diwata-1 and shared insights on the future of space science and technology in the Philippines. Diwata-1, the Philippines’ first microsatellite launched into space more than a decade ago, was developed by engineers and scientists from the University of the Philippines, Tohoku University, and Hokkaido University. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.

Celebrating Diwata’s decade of legacy. Exploring the future of space technology.

 

As part of the year-long commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the release of Diwata-1 into space, key figures in the development of the Philippines’ first microsatellite gathered to look back on Diwata-1’s journey and share their insights on the future of space science and technology. The public lecture organized by the Philippine Space Agency was held Aug. 10 at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Law.

 

Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi, and Tohoku University’s Professor Yuji Sakamoto and Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida each delivered a lecture outlining Diwata-1’s journey, from forging a partnership between Japan and the Philippines to turning their shared vision into a reality. 

 

UP-trained scientists who played a key role in the development and deployment of Diwata-1 shared their experiences and insights as well. Joining the panel discussion were UP Vice President for Research and Innovation and PhilSA’s founding director general Joel Joseph Marciano Jr., and UP Diliman cum laude graduate Engr. John Leur Labrador, who is currently the Director IV of PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems. PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar Talampas, also a professor at the UPD Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, moderated the discussion. 

 

Diwata-1 was the first-ever microsatellite designed and built by Filipino scientists. From its launch in March 2016 until being decommissioned four years later, Diwata-1 produced data that helped scientists study the extent of damage caused by natural disasters.

View scenes from the event below:
If you are to advise young students and budding scientists and engineers interested in space science, what problems in the field are worth a decade of their lives? From left, Tohoku University Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida, Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi, and Tohoku University Professor Yuji Sakamoto — Japanese professors who played key roles in the development of Diwata-1 — discuss among themselves before addressing the audience. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
If you are to advise young students and budding scientists and engineers interested in space science, what problems in the field are worth a decade of their lives? From left, Tohoku University Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida, Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi, and Tohoku University Professor Yuji Sakamoto — Japanese professors who played key roles in the development of Diwata-1 — discuss among themselves before addressing the audience. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi says common issues between Japan and the Philippines such as natural disasters and unstable agricultural production motivated the development of Diwata-1. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi says common issues between Japan and the Philippines such as natural disasters and unstable agricultural production motivated the development of Diwata-1. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
A side-by-side comparison of 3D cloud models generated by the Philippines’ microsatellite Diwata-1 (left) and Japan’s weather satellite Himawari-8. Citing the color expression of the height of the clouds, Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi says the image generated by Diwata-1 is “almost 20 times better” than the one produced by Himawari-8, creating a more detailed structure of thunderstorms. “No satellite, no expensive radar system could achieve this 3D model of the clouds.” 3D imaging helps track and predict heavy rainfall precisely. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
A side-by-side comparison of 3D cloud models generated by the Philippines’ microsatellite Diwata-1 (left) and Japan’s weather satellite Himawari-8. Citing the color expression of the height of the clouds, Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi says the image generated by Diwata-1 is “almost 20 times better” than the one produced by Himawari-8, creating a more detailed structure of thunderstorms. “No satellite, no expensive radar system could achieve this 3D model of the clouds.” 3D imaging helps track and predict heavy rainfall precisely. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
Tohoku University Professor Yuji Sakamoto, who mentored the team behind Diwata-1, shows an image of the Philippine microsatellite alongside the Japanese satellite Ibuki (GOSAT). Weighing only 52.40 kg, Diwata-1 has a structure size of 55 cm x 35 cm x 55 cm — roughly 126 times smaller in volume than Ibuki’s 2.0 m × 1.8 m × 3.7 m. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
Tohoku University Professor Yuji Sakamoto, who mentored the team behind Diwata-1, shows an image of the Philippine microsatellite alongside the Japanese satellite Ibuki (GOSAT). Weighing only 52.40 kg, Diwata-1 has a structure size of 55 cm x 35 cm x 55 cm — roughly 126 times smaller in volume than Ibuki’s 2.0 m × 1.8 m × 3.7 m. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“You are the one to make it happen…. Let's work together, okay?” Tohoku University Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida tells the attendees of the Philippine Space Agency’s public lecture, also sharing the team’s plan to have multiple satellites to expand coverage for “up-to-date, almost real-time observation” of the Earth. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“You are the one to make it happen…. Let's work together, okay?” Tohoku University Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida tells the attendees of the Philippine Space Agency’s public lecture, also sharing the team’s plan to have multiple satellites to expand coverage for “up-to-date, almost real-time observation” of the Earth. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“We learn so much from outside our comfort zones,” says UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. on the lessons he took from the Diwata-1 journey. Marciano led the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite program, which built Diwata-1, and is the founding director general of the Philippine Space Agency. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“We learn so much from outside our comfort zones,” says UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. on the lessons he took from the Diwata-1 journey. Marciano led the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite program, which built Diwata-1, and is the founding director general of the Philippine Space Agency. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“There was a bit of hesitation at first, like, was this really what we signed up for?” says Engr. John Leur Labrador, looking back on his experience at Hokkaido University, having just graduated from UP. He goes on to address the student attendees: “Keep an open mind when you cross the finish line, and learn as much as you can.” Labrador is currently Director IV of PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“There was a bit of hesitation at first, like, was this really what we signed up for?” says Engr. John Leur Labrador, looking back on his experience at Hokkaido University, having just graduated from UP. He goes on to address the student attendees: “Keep an open mind when you cross the finish line, and learn as much as you can.” Labrador is currently Director IV of PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“The Philippines was not only capable of using space technology; we are capable of creating it,” says PhilSA Acting Director General Gay Jane Perez as she shares a glimpse into the journey of Diwata-1. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“The Philippines was not only capable of using space technology; we are capable of creating it,” says PhilSA Acting Director General Gay Jane Perez as she shares a glimpse into the journey of Diwata-1. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“There's a service to the public that needs to be fulfilled,” says PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar Talampas to the attendees of the space agency’s public lecture on the development of Diwata-1. A professor at the UP Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, Talampas took part in the development of Diwata-2, the country’s second microsatellite. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“There's a service to the public that needs to be fulfilled,” says PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar Talampas to the attendees of the space agency’s public lecture on the development of Diwata-1. A professor at the UP Diliman Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, Talampas took part in the development of Diwata-2, the country’s second microsatellite. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“Live long and prosper." Space experts, together with attendees of PhilSA’s public lecture, playfully make the Vulcan salute, a reference to the popular science fiction television series “Star Trek.” In the photo are, from left, Engr. John Leur Labrador, Director IV of PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems; UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano Jr.; Tohoku University Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida; Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi; Tohoku University Professor Yuji Sakamoto; PhilSA Acting Director General Gay Jane Perez; and PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar Talampas. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.
“Live long and prosper." Space experts, together with attendees of PhilSA’s public lecture, playfully make the Vulcan salute, a reference to the popular science fiction television series “Star Trek.” In the photo are, from left, Engr. John Leur Labrador, Director IV of PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems; UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano Jr.; Tohoku University Professor Emeritus Kazuya Yoshida; Hokkaido University Professor Yukihiro Takahashi; Tohoku University Professor Yuji Sakamoto; PhilSA Acting Director General Gay Jane Perez; and PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Marc Caesar Talampas. Photo by Kevin Roque, UPS-MCO.