The Philippine Space Program: A Modern Take on Establishing a National Space Program

Abstract

In August 2019, the Philippines became the most recent emerging space nation, upon the creation of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy (PSDUP), making it one of the few nations to have established a national space law from the very beginning of its space program. In this chapter, the history of space development in the Philippines and the various strategies taken to accelerate the creation of PhilSA are presented, including efforts such as baseline research studies, capacity-building activities, and multi-sectoral stakeholder consultations. The chapter also discusses the framework of the PSDUP, focusing on its six Key Development Areas (KDAs), the functions and objectives of PhilSA, and the space development roadmaps established to date, highlighting the need for a holistic, inclusive and comprehensive space development plan. These efforts have geared the Philippines towards a sustainable space program that combines established space activities with new space developments, making it unique among emerging space nations. Lastly, the chapter discusses how the Philippines’ experience of establishing a space agency and policy could benefit other emerging space nations, in establishing their own national space programs in a logical and comprehensive manner, and in becoming responsible members of the space community in the future.

Rogel Mari D. Sese served as the Program Leader of the National SPACE Development Program, a program funded by the Department of Science and Technology to develop the long-term roadmap and strategies for space technology and policy development of the Philippines, including the legislation of the Philippine Space Agency and Philippine Space Development and Utilization Policy.