2 minute read
Leveraging space technologies in the Philippines
We speak with Dr Joel S. Marciano, Jr., Director General, Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).
As the global space industry rapidly expands, ASEAN countries like the Philippines are uniquely positioned to leverage space technologies as drivers of sustainable economic growth and regional development.
Dr. Marciano is the Director General (DG) of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), a position that holds the rank of a Cabinet Secretary and serves as Presidential Adviser on Space Matters. He is also a Full Professor at the University of the Philippines and was the UP-Dado Banatao Fellow at the University of California Berkeley and UC San Diego. From 2014-2020, he led the development of the Philippines’ Diwata microsatellites and Maya nanosatellites, ground infrastructure and data operations. In 2023, Dr. Marciano was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Hokkaido University for distinguished contributions to education and research via international exchanges.
Maximising the benefits of space technology for sustainable socioeconomic development
Ms Aarti Holla-Maini, Director and Lóránt Czárán, Scientific Affairs Officer, Chief Vienna Branch, UN-SPIDER with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Singapore will focus on programs where space technologies can make a real-world difference. Space technology presents opportunities for Singapore to strengthen its position as a hub for aviation, maritime, connectivity, and sustainability. Under this initiative, OSTIn has launched an Earth observation initiative, which will use remote sensing satellite technology to analyse and solve sustainability and humanitarian challenges across the region, such as food and water quality, disaster and disease monitoring and forestry and land management.
