Dennis Gaviola

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mula

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is preparing to launch the country’s most advanced Earth observation satellite yet, MULA or Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment, by mid-2026, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s space journey and technological self-reliance.</p><p>Slated for launch between June and August 2026, MULA is not just another satellite; it is operational, powerful, and deeply rooted in what the Philippines needs, the agency said.</p><p>Unlike earlier academic satellites such as Diwata and Maya cube satellites, MULA is purpose-built for direct applications in agriculture, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and national development.</p><p>“Mula sa kanyang pangalan, ang mission nito ay tingnan iyong kalupaan ng Pilipinas, pati iyong ating mga karagatan,” explained Dr. Izrael Zenar Bautista, MULA Project Manager.</p><p>“Sapagkat kailangan natin iyong mga impormasyon na iyon para sa ating agriculture, para sa ating security. So magpi-picture siya sa Pilipinas sa bawat pagdaan niya at ipapasa natin iyong mga satellite images na ito sa ating mga iba&#x27;t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno,” he added.</p><p>The MULA project was launched in 2020 under PhilSA’s Advanced Satellite Program (ASP), just a year after the agency was created through the Philippine Space Act of 2019. While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed development, Filipino engineers resumed the satellite build in 2023 in partnership with experts abroad.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/08/08/23/philsa-inks-deals-for-use-of-space-tech-in-development"><strong>PhilSA inks partnerships for use of space tech in development </strong></a></div><p>“Noong 2021, may ilang engineers tayo na nagpunta sa UK para simulan iyong MULA satellite. Dahil syempre dahil sa pandemya, medyo naputol iyong pag-develop natin at naituloy ito noong 2023,” Bautista recalled.</p><p>Now in its testing phase, MULA is expected to undergo a test readiness review from late 2025 until early 2026. Upon passing environmental simulations and technical evaluations, it will be sent to its designated launch provider.</p><div><strong>EYES IN THE SKY FOR THE GROUND BELOW</strong></div><p>MULA is equipped with a high-resolution multispectral camera capable of capturing detailed imagery useful for a wide range of applications, from detecting crop diseases and pest infestations to assessing flood and drought damage. The satellite will also aid in coastal monitoring and urban planning.</p><p>According to Dr. Gay Jane Perez, the satellite can identify stages of crop growth and determine damage extent after natural disasters, allowing agencies to act faster and plan better.</p><p>“Pwede niyang ma-detect iyong different stages of crops. Pwede niya rin ma-detect iyong mga pests and diseases. Kapag may dumaan na bagyo or kapag naapektuhan sila ng pagbaha, kapag nagkaroon ng tagtuyot, makikita din natin iyong extent of damages,” Perez explained.</p><div><strong>ENGINEERED BY FILIPINOS</strong></div><p>Unlike previous satellite missions heavily supported by foreign institutions, MULA is built predominantly by Filipino engineers, from design and component simulation to integration and testing.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/19/philippine-space-council-told-to-bring-space-technology-closer-to-the-people-1533"><strong>Philippine Space Council told to bring space technology closer to the people</strong></a></div><p>“Iyong stage kung nasaan [ito] ngayon, doon ako pinaka-proud. Kapag nakikita mo na iyong mga dinisenyo, iyong mga sinimulate from computer to reality. Siguro mas proud kapag na-launch na siya at saka kapag nagagamit na iyong data,” said Bautista.</p><p>PhilSA officials also highlighted how MULA proves local capability in building operational-grade satellites with real-world applications. During Philippine Space Week, visitors were even introduced to the engineers behind the project.</p><div><strong>FROM ONE EMPLOYEE TO A NATIONAL AGENCY</strong></div><p>PhilSA itself has come a long way since its inception. Perez recalled that the agency started with just an email and a website in 2020.</p><p>From occupying a single floor in a building at UP Diliman, it now operates out of its own facility in Eastwood, Quezon City, with over 240 personnel and an annual budget of around P2 billion.</p><p>From that humble beginning, the agency now supports flagship satellite development and has distributed over 60,000 maps to government offices, the academe, and private institutions.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/17/new-earth-observation-website-to-boost-environmental-monitoring-1437"><strong>New Earth Observation website launched to enhance environmental monitoring, disaster management</strong></a></div><p>“We have already also earned the trust of our government, funding our flagship programs which include satellite development and distributing the maps or harnessing the power from the satellite technology,” she added.</p><div><strong>CHARTING THE ROAD TO 2034</strong></div><p>Looking ahead, PhilSA is crafting its 10-Year Space Industry Roadmap from 2025 to 2034 to build a full-fledged space ecosystem. Key projects in the pipeline include the construction of a satellite constellation, a telecommunications satellite for ASEAN, and the establishment of the country’s first spaceport to localize satellite launches.</p><p>“We are very excited. Nag-submit tayo ng tatlong proyekto sa PPP (Public-Private Partnership) program... Isa dito iyong pag-build ng satellite constellation, part din ng ating PPP pipeline is a telecommunication satellite... and the third one is a development project for a spaceport,” Perez revealed.</p><p>PhilSA is also setting its sights on future international missions and dreams of training and launching Filipino astronauts for scientific work in space.</p><p>“It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when... We’re thinking about sending several Filipino astronauts who are fulfilling science missions, doing experiments in space,” she said.</p><div><strong>CELEBRATING PHILIPPINE SPACE WEEK</strong></div><p>These developments were showcased during Philippine Space Week, held from August 8 to 14, 2025, with the theme “#YamangKalawakan ay Likas sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/12/06/23/childrens-book-aims-to-introduce-space-treaties-to-filipino-youth"><strong>PhilSA launches children&#x27;s book to introduce space treaties to Filipino youth</strong></a></div><p>Hosted at Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City, the celebration featured satellite exhibits, interactive booths, and educational programs designed to raise public awareness and inspire young Filipinos to join the country’s space journey.</p><p>Visitors had the chance to see model replicas of MULA and Maya satellites, meet Filipino engineers, and learn how space technology directly benefits ordinary citizens.</p>

<p>Unlike earlier satellites, MULA is purpose-built for direct applications in agriculture, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and national development.</p>

Unlike earlier satellites, MULA is purpose-built for direct applications in agriculture, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and national development.

PH Space Agency to launch earth observation satellite ‘MULA’

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PH Space Agency to launch earth observation satellite ‘MULA’

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 08, 2025 05:45 PM PHT

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Updated August 08, 2025 06:06 PM PHT

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