Our Place

in Space
Space S&T and
Applications in the
Philippines

VOLUME 1

Space Data
Mobilization

2016 to 2020
Foreword
Space is the expanse above us, which can bridge our islands, Branch of the government that will plan, develop, and promote
communities and wherever Filipinos may go on Earth. Space our national space program. The Philippine Space Act recognizes
travel and rockets uplift us, figuratively, in mind and spirit (and these prior efforts that have produced our emergent local tech-
literally). Being in space, building in space, with its high vantage nological capacity in space. With foundational elements in capa-
point, empowers us. bilities, infrastructure and people in place, the PhilSA is therefore
building from the ground up and not starting from scratch. The
The Philippines has taken significant steps in space science and PhilSA’s succeeding programs shall grow, expand and nurture
technology applications (SSTA) over the period 2014-2020. A these resources so they can yield further socio-economic benefits
number of SSTA activities implemented as project-based initia- and impact for Filipinos.
tives have been initiated and continue to be pursued with the
support of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) In Our Place in Space, we compile and select showcases from the
Grants-in-Aid (GIA). Projects such as the Philippine Scientific prior initiatives in Space Science & Technology and Applications
Earth Observation Microsatellite Program (PHL- Microsat) and its (SSTA) in the Philippines. These activities have been undertaken
successor, the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Inno- by different groups from the academe, research institutions and
vation and Advancement Program (STAMINA4Space) have led to government agencies, which we acknowledge at the end of each
the development, launch, operation and utilization of the country’s of the three Volumes in the compilation. Each Volume highlights a
own small satellites for scientific Earth observation, DIWATA-1 different component of SSTA that contribute to the growth of the
launched in 2016, followed by DIWATA-2 in 2018 and MAYA-1, the space ecosystem in the country. The simple and humble goal is to
country’s first nanosatellite, also launched in 2018. DIWATA and create better awareness of local SSTA capabilities and the benefits
MAYA provide a blueprint that enable the development of small that they bring to Filipino society.
satellites to be sustained, proliferated and localized in the coun-
try. These achievements have enabled the Philippines to join the In coming up with the compilation, we considered the segmenta-
ranks of countries that not only own and operate satellites, but tion of the space economy and industry into two complementary
have been able to build and develop them. sectors: the “Upstream” and the “Downstream”. “Upstream space”
activities consist of the design, assembly, integration and testing
Thes satellite development activities are joined by complementary of satellites and other spacecraft and their payloads, systems,
ground infrastructure and services, such as multi-mission sat- subsystems, and components. This also includes the infrastructure
ellite receiving stations, which we call the Philippine Earth Data necessary to launch and operate them from Earth. In other words,
Resource Observation (PEDRO) Center, as well as high perfor- the upstream segment is the sector of space that makes or manu-
mance computing (HPC) facilities for the processing, archiving factures, controls and launches objects such as satellites, rovers,
and distribution of satellite images and other spaceborne data. space probes and other spacecraft into space orbit. “Downstream
There is also the Remote Sensing and Data Science Help Desk or space” uses these spacecraft and systems to deliver products and
DATOS, which have been developing a gamut of applications from services for scientific, experimental and commercial use on Earth,
the satellite image data. These investments have equipped the such as telecommunications, navigation, surveillance and Earth
Philippines with a capacity to create and add value from space, observation, among others.
specifically through the generation, processing, dissemination and
utilization of data obtained by satellites and space infrastructure. Our country has been an active users in the downstream of sat-
ellites and space. That is, the utilization of and the applications
The success and value of these prior efforts confirmed that we arising from the data generated by satellites, such as images and
need a dedicated and specialized agency to champion a national other spaceborne data. That is valuable since the downstream is
space program. On August 8, 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Dute- expected to largely account for the growth of the space sector
rte signed Republic Act No. 11363 or the “The Philippine Space and therefore its contributions to the economic growth of nations.
Act”. By virtue of this law, the Philippine Space Agency or PhilSA Data and the resulting actionable information and intelligence is the
was established to serve as the primary policy, planning, coordi- currency of the knowledge economy. Current downstream activities
nating, implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive in SSTA are discussed in Volume 1: Space Data Utilization.

VOLUME 1 3
A strong presence in the space upstream sector is important for our country as well. The
upstream involves components of the space value chain that offer a strategic advantage
to those who master and control such technologies. For example, the detailed knowledge
and competence on the upstream engagement serves as the basis for the development of
standards and operations that influence the downstream, such as end user applications
and the needs of satellite operators. Building space satellite payloads and buses equip us
with the wherewithal to adapt to and anticipate evolving downstream requirements, thus
the ability to customize solutions for existing and new downstream verticals. Building
satellites enables us to understand the source of the solutions – the source of the data.
Current upstream activities in SSTA in the Philippines are addressed primarily in Volume 2:
Space Technology.

By engaging in both the upstream and downstream of space, we can instantiate a “vir-
tuous cycle” in this exponentially growing and exciting new area that our country should
nurture and feed. The virtuous cycle will enable us to develop endogenous S&T capacity
that will supplant the vicious cycle of technological dependence.

The downstream and upstream SSTA activities that have catapulted our country’s
capabilities in space need to be proliferated, disseminated and sustained. In Volume 3:
Capacity-building, Outreach and Sustainability, we provide a window to the inward- and
outward-facing initiatives aimed at developing people, institutions, linkages, partnerships
and outreach activities. These activities are essential in cascading the gains and benefits
obtained from our satellite development and space data mobilization efforts to society.

Finally, through this compilation, it is our aim to impart the PhilSA’s vision – A Filipino
nation bridged, uplifted and empowered through the peaceful uses of outer space; and
our mission – To promote and sustain a robust Philippine space ecosystem that adds and
creates value in space for and from Filipinos and for the world.

By capturing the best (so far) of our fledgling Philippine space ecosystem, we hope that
you will find this compilation not only informative, but also inspiring. Through these pages,
we find and truly affirm Our Place in Space.

Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. PhD

Director General
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)

09 October 2020

4 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Prologue
Volume 1: Space Data Utilization provides examples of actual,
real-world end use of spaceborne data, i.e. the downstream space
segment, in the Philippines across various domains. Data from
space can help uplift our condition and better our lives through
data-driven and evidence-based policies. Amidst concerns in food
security, satellites are able to gather relevant data through remote
sensing of agricultural crops, watersheds, fisheries, forests and
other natural resources. Through satellite connectivity, space can
bridge Filipinos and our communities, especially the underserved
or unserved populations in Geographically Isolated and Disadvan-
taged Areas (GIDA). In promoting better health services amidst
the lack of health workers, satellite coverage enables medical and
public health services, through telemedicine.

Our country has been an active user of downstream of satellites

and space. That is, the utilization of and the applications arising
from the data generated by satellites, such as images and other
spaceborne data. This is a valuable endeavor since the down-
stream is expected to largely account for the growth of the space
sector and therefore its contributions to the economic growth of
nations. Data and the resulting actionable information and intelli-
gence is the currency of the knowledge economy. The use cases in
this Volume focus on the application of satellite images to generate
actionable information across applications such as disaster risk
management, agriculture and fisheries, natural and built environ-
ment monitoring, defense and security, and planning and econo-
metrics.

VOLUME 1 5
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6 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Table of Contents

1 Natural and Built Environment Monitoring 09 5 Planning and Econometrics 41

Monitoring Built-Up Areas 10 Mapping Connectivity 42
Assessing Water Quality 11 Identifying Warming Economic Zones 43
Detecting Built-up Area Changes 13 Using Nightlights:
Assessing Urban Sprawl 14 Monitoring Post-Disaster Recovery Assessing 44
Detecting Road Network Changes 15 Population Displacement 45
Predicting Poverty and Consumption-based
2 Agriculture, Fisheries, and Resource Management 17 Wealth 46
Mapping Water Sources 18
Monitoring Drought 19 6 Portfolio of Earth Observation Satellites:
Monitoring Coastlines 20 In use and accessed 47
Mapping Agricultural Crops 21 Fast Facts:
Mapping Land Cover Classes 23 Diwata-1 48
Mapping Fishponds and Fish Pens 24 Diwata-2 49
Detecting Trees 25 Maya-1 50
Maya-2 51
3 Disaster Risk Management 27 Maya-3 52
Estimating Typhoon Strength 28 Maya-4 53
Assessing Flood Damage 29 IRIS-A & B 54
Enabling Timely Disaster Response 31 KOMPSAT 3 & 3A 55
Assessing Earthquake Damage 32 KOMPSAT 5 56
Assessing Forest Fire Damage 33 Dove 57
Monitoring Volcanic Activity 35 GeoEye-1 58
WorldView 2, 3, & 4 59
4 Defense and Security 37 COSMO-SkyMed 60
Monitoring Offshore Infrastructure 38 NovaSAR-1 61
Detecting Damages 39 Sentinel 62
Enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness 40 Landsat 63

Contributors 64

VOLUME 1 7
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8 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Natural and Built 1
Environment
Monitoring

Monitoring Built-Up Areas

Assessing Water Quality

Detecting Built-Up Area Changes

Assessing Urban Sprawl

Detecting Road Network Changes

Monitoring Light Pollution

VOLUME 1 9
1 NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

Monitoring
1 2

Built-Up Areas
New Developments
in Boracay

These satellite images show the

changes in the urban sprawl of
Boracay island from 2013 to 2017.
Through satellite images, researchers
monitored the decline of vegetation
and the rise of built-up areas in the
island.

Boracay island – a famous tourist

destination – underwent a six-month
rehabilitation program in 2018. These
images were used by the Boracay
rehabilitation monitoring team.
N N
Comparison between 2013 & 2017
70
60
50
40 56.78% 35.27%
30 40.10% 57.65%
20
10
0 1 2
2013 2017
Satellite: Rapid Eye Satellite: Rapid Eye
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
LEGEND Capture date: 10 February 2013 Capture date: 10 February 2017
Payload: Optical Payload: Optical
Vegetated Areas Resolution: 5 m Resolution: 5 m
Built-up Areas Basemap: PhilGIS, Google Earth Basemap: PhilGIS, Google Earth

10 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 1 NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

Assessing
Water Quality

New Developments
in Manila Bay
Formazine Nephelometric Unit (FNU)
Analyzing Manila Bay’s water quality
using satellite imagery is important in
identifying how human activities affect <4 >24
coastal resource degradation. Turbidity,
or the murkiness (versus clarity) of 1 2 3
water, is one of the indicators studied
here. Possible changes in turbidity or
clarity of Manila Bay’s coastal waters
before and after its rehabilitation as
observed through images captured
by Diwata-1 in 2018 (leftmost) and
Diwata-2 in 2019 (rightmost). The
Diwata-1 image shows murky waters
at the mouth of Pasig River (red areas
in the middle image). Additionally,
monitoring this area at different times
of the year can contribute to existing
and future studies assessing the
results of the ongoing Manila Bay
rehabilitation efforts.
1 2 3

True-Color Image Turbidity Map Turbidity Map

Satellite: Diwata-1 Satellite: Diwata-1 Satellite: Diwata-2
Accessed via: STAMINA4Space Accessed via: STAMINA4Space Accessed via: STAMINA4Space
Capture date: 19 February 2018 Capture date: 19 February 2018 Capture date: 05 June 2019
Payload: Spaceborne Multispectral Payload: Spaceborne Multispectral Payload: Spaceborne Multispectral
Imager (SMI) Imager (SMI) Imager (SMI)
Resolution: 66m Resolution: 66m Resolution: 127m
Basemap: PhilGIS Basemap: PhilGIS Basemap: PhilGIS
Image: Google Earth Image: Google Earth Image: Google Earth

VOLUME 1 11
1 NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

Assessing Using Diwata-1 and Sentinel-3 monitoring approach. “Hotspots” or 1

images, researchers have captured areas with high, frequent TSS values

Water Quality the total suspended solids (TSS) in can be easily identified from satellite Satellite: Diwata-1 and Sentinel-3
Laguna de Bay at different times of images. This is crucial in identifying Accessed via: STAMINA4Space
Payloads: Spaceborne Multispectral
the year. This technique of capturing potential pollution sources and
Imager (SMI) & Ocean and Land Color
several images at different times in a areas vulnerable to low dissolved Imager (OLCI)
given period is called spatiotemporal oxygen, which may result to fish Resolution: 66m and 300m
Mapping Total monitoring. Diwata images can kill. Complementary use of Diwata Basemap: PhilGIS and Google Earth
Suspended Solids (TSS) provide a spatially comprehensive imageries with other optical satellites Capture dates and times indicated on the
assessment of water quality (see such as Sentinel-3 may increase the images
in Laguna Lake below) which is difficult and tedious to temporal monitoring of Laguna Lake.
do through conventional water quality

TSS (mg/L)

20 200

12 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 1 NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

Detecting 1

Built-Up Area
Changes

Built-up areas in
Baguio City

Maps of built-up areas show intensive

use of the land covered by structures.
They are generated to monitor the
evolution of cities and settlements,
including their characteristics, extent,
and attributes. Built-up areas show
the increase and expansion of large
urban centers.

This map shows the urban density

in Baguio City. Changes can be
analyzed throughout time by using
various processing techniques and
models like Artificial Intelligence (AI)
to predict the urban extent in the N
future.

Built-up areas were generated using

three (3) Planetscope.

LEGEND 1 Satellite: Planet Dove

Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Built-up Areas Payload: Optical
Cartographic Information Capture dates: 22 December 2016, 11 May 2017, and 23 June 2018
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM Resolution: 3m
0 0.45 0.9 1.35 1.8 km Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset)

VOLUME 1 13
1 NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

Assessing 1

Urban Sprawl

Urban Sprawl in
Davao City

The image shows the increase of

settlements in Davao City from 2013 to
2016.

Using historical images as training

materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI)
models were trained to differentiate
changes in land cover using satellite
images. Employing automated and
unsupervised processing that would
accelerate extraction of images is
useful for further studies such as
projecting growth of urban areas. N
Sizes larger than the original 30m
resolution were digitized and used as
training data.

LEGEND 1 Multi-temporal Optical Imagery

Land Area Satellite: Landsat 8 Payload: Optical

Capture date: Whole year predic- Resolution: 3m
2013 Built-up Areas tions (2013 and 2016) Basemap: OpenStreetMap
2016 Built-up Areas Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO
Center

14 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 1 NATURAL AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONITORING

Detecting 1

Road Network
Changes
Road Network of
Muntinlupa City,
Metro Manila

Through machine learning—a

component of Artificial Intelligence
(AI)—road features that are continuous,
long, and with homogenous hue
throughout their length are digitized
and used as training data to detect
road network changes.

AI is able to simulate human vision

to detect features, and can also see
beyond what is visible to the naked
eye. This allows it to detect and isolate
these features more accurately.

Cartographic Information LEGEND N 1

Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM Satellite: Planetscope
Roads
0 0.15 0.3 0.45 0.6 km Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture date: 30 April 2018
Payload: Optical
Resolution: 3m

VOLUME 1 15
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16 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Agriculture, 2
Fisheries,
and Resource
Management

Mapping Water Sources

Monitoring Drought

Monitoring Coastlines

Mapping Agricultural Crops

Mapping Land Cover Classes

Mapping Fishponds and Fish Pens

Detecting Trees

VOLUME 1 17
2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mapping 1

Water Sources
La Mesa Dam water level

18 December 2018

To see the effects of El Niño on the La

Mesa Dam, a time series of satellite images
from December 2018 to March 2019 were
analyzed. The images used Normalized
Difference Water Index (NDWI) which
highlights the change in the extent of the
water surface area. This is then used to
compute for an estimation of the volume of
the water in the dam. 17 January 2019

LEGEND
Extracted water features

March 10, 2019

February 24, 2019 24 February 2019
February 8, 2019
January 17, 2019
N 1
January 4, 2019
Satellite: PLANETSCOPE
December 18, 2018
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO
March 16, 2018 Center Capture date: Dec 2018 to March 2019
Payload: Optical
Resolution: 3 m
0 250 500 m Basemap: OpenStreetMap 10 March 2019

18 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Monitoring
1

Drought
Vegetation Health Index
(VHI) of Occidental
Mindoro

The VHI indicates whether or not an area

is experiencing drought. “Low health” of a
vegetated area denotes “high stress levels”
of vegetation due to dryness and heat. This
can be detected from satellite images. The
more “stressed” the vegetation is, the more
likely that it is experiencing drought.

During the agricultural drought in early LEGEND

2019, the DATOS project acquired
snapshots of the VHI of Mindoro Island 1 - Extreme
for February 2 & 21, 2019, 2019, and
March 9, 2019. Note the extreme “stress 2 - Severe
levels” experienced by the vegetation
3 - Moderate
in Occidental Mindoro on the lower left
(in red). 4 - Mild
5 - None

Multi-temporal Optical Imagery

Satellite: Landsat 8
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture dates: 02 February 2019,
21 February 2019, and 09 March 2019
Resolution: 30m

VOLUME 1 19
2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Monitoring 1

Coastlines
Double barrier reef
in Bohol

It is important to monitor seagrasses,

corals, mangroves, and sandy areas
because they are home to various marine
species. This area shown, which is
under the National Integrated Protected
Areas System (NIPAS), was mapped and
processed to identify these features. N
Constant monitoring of these sites helps
us determine if there is a decline in the
NIPAS site’s benthic habitats and at what
rate the habitat is declining. This can then
give us science-based recommendations
for stricter protection, conservation, and
rehabilitation if needed. LEGEND

Unclassified
Bare Sand
Sargassum
Seagrass
1 Dense Seagrass
Sparse Seagrass
Satellite: Sentinel-2 MSI
Accessed via: STAMINA4Space Corals
Capture date: March 23, 2019 Water
Resolution: ~127m
Basemap: PhilGIS, Google Earth Turbid Water

20 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mapping LEGEND
Research on remote sensing (RS)
techniques allows for faster methods in
mapping agricultural resources. Cyan areas indicate plantations of
Agricultural Crops In cooperation with the Department
of Agriculture and Sugar Regulatory
high-value seasonal crops, such as
sugarcane, rice, and corn. These can
Administration, mapping these high-value be identified through satellite images
crops using advanced RS methods would (temporal SAR) using automated
Sugar Cane, Rice, and help streamline and hasten activities in remote sensing methods like time
Corn Mapping inventory, yield projection, monitoring, data
analysis, and assessment.
series analysis.

1 2 3

1 Multi-temporal SAR Imagery 2 Multi-temporal SAR Imagery 3 Multi-temporal SAR Imagery

Satellite: Sentinel-1A, 1B Location: Isabela Location: Isabela
Location: Tarlac Mill District Satellite: Sentinel-1A, 1B Satellite: Sentinel-1A, 1B
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture period: 01 November 2016 to 08 Capture period: 06 April 2017 to Capture period: 06 April 2017 to
March 2018 12 June 2018 12 June 2018
Payload: SAR Payload: SAR Payload: SAR
Resolution: 15 m Resolution: 15 m Resolution: 15 m
Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset) Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset) Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset)

VOLUME 1 21
2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mapping 1 N
Agricultural Crops
Rice Mapping in Region VI
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM
0 800 1600 km

The average length of time it takes for rice

to grow is about 120 days. The temporal
variation of the radar signal of a rice field
can be regarded as a function of its rice
crop growth. The MaPalay Project, a
collaborative project between the University
of the Philippines and Department of
Agriculture (DA) - Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice), this rice classification
map shows the rice detected in the pre-
processed SAR images using the algorithm
developed. The datasets used are images
from September 2018 to March 2019,
which correspond to the first rice cropping
season of 2019 (also known as the ‘wet
season’).

Region 6 was selected as the test site for

processing because of its complexity. This
includes the presence of asynchronous
and heterogeneous planting of rice, its
size which involves merging of different LEGEND 1
tiles of satellite images to complete the
whole region, and the availability of ground Rice Satellite: Sentinel-1A
data which are all used for accuracy
Not rice Accessed via: MaPalay Project
assessment. Capture date/time or capture period: September 2018 to March 2019
Payload: Radar
Resolution: 20m
Basemap: ESRI and General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans at British Oce-
anic Data Center (GEBCO-BODC)

22 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mapping Land 1

Cover Classes
Butuan City,
Agusan del Norte

With the increasing availability of Earth

observation data such as those in the form
of satellite images, deep learning methods
(e.g. AI & Convolutional Neural Networks)
have shown promising results in identifying
the physical aspect of the earth’s surface
(land cover). Through these methods and
automated systems developed by the
DATOS Project, updating of land cover
classifications can now be expedited.

In partnership with NAMRIA, different

models were created for each class and
were later merged to create a land cover
map.

N LEGEND 1

Roads Built-up Satellite: Planetscope Image

Bare soil Vegetation Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Cartographic Information Capture date: August 25, 2017
Water Payload: Optical
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM
Resolution: 3m
0 0.35 0.7 1.05 1.4 km
Basemap: OpenStreetMap

VOLUME 1 23
2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mapping 1 1

Fish Ponds and Location: Laguna Lake

Satellite: Sentinel-1
Fish Pens Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture date: June 2018
Payload: SAR
Resolution: 15m
Nationwide Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset)

aquaculture
mapping

Aquaculture research and operations

have begun adopting technologies, such
as Artificial Intelligence, in accounting,
mapping, and monitoring nationwide fish
ponds and fish pens facilities.
2 2
DOST-ASTI conducts research in
partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries Location: Laguna Lake
and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Satellite: Sentinel-1
Department of Agriculture to assist them in Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
creating a nationwide inventory that can be
Capture date: June 2018
used to monitor fish pens and fish ponds in
over highly dense areas all over the country. Payload: SAR
Resolution: 15m
Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset)

LEGEND

Detected fishpen and dish cages

24 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Detecting
1

Trees
Coconut trees in
Davao City

Coconuts account for 25% of total

agricultural land in the country, playing an
important role in the Philippine’s national
economy . It remains to be a major export,
contributing 3.6% of the country’s gross
value-added in agriculture. However,
according to reports from Philippine
Coconut Authority, coconut production had
been stagnant.

With the available image processing

techniques and earth observation data from
DOST-ASTI, damage detection and rapid
inventory of coconut trees in a given area is
now possible. Artificial Intelligence can be
used on earth observation data to detect
and map distinct features from satellite
images.

1
N LEGEND
Satellite: Digital Globe
Coconut trees
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Cartographic Information Capture date : May 2018
Payload: Optical
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM
Resolution: 0.5 m
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 km
Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset)

VOLUME 1 25
2 AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Detecting
Trees
Satellite Detection of Fruit
Bearing Trees

According to the Department of Agriculture,

the volume of production and yield of
mango have significantly deteriorated over
the years. Despite hectares of mango farms
around the country, there is no sufficient
data on mango tree inventory. With the
available image processing techniques and
Earth observation data from DOST-ASTI, a
rapid inventory of mango trees in a given
area as well as assigning their geographic
coordinates for ground-truthing is now
possible.

In an ongoing collaboration with the Bataan

Peninsula State University, DOST-ASTI
employs this research for the province-
wide Mango Detection Project of Bataan
(for inventory and potential damage
assessment).

1 VHR Imagery
N LEGEND

Mango trees Satellite: Digital Globe

Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Cartographic Information Capture date: May 2018
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM
Payload: Optical
Resolution: 0.5m
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 km
Basemap: OpenStreetMap (inset)

26 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Disaster Risk 3
Management

Estimating Typhoon Strength

Assessing Flood Damage

Enabling Timely Disaster Response

Assessing Earthquake Damage

Assessing Forest Fire Damage

Monitoring Volcanic Activity

VOLUME 1 27
3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Estimating
1 1

Satellite: Diwata-2
Typhoon Strength Accessed via: STAMINA4Space
Program
Capture date: 09 December 2019
Typhoon Tisoy (Kammuri) Payload: Wide Field Camera (WFC)
Resolution: 7km
over the Philippine Area of
Responsibility (PAR)

While Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 are used

for Earth Observation, they can also give
us images that can be used to study
atmospheric conditions like typhoons.
These images of Typhoon Tisoy (Kammuri)
were captured before it made landfall
in Sorsogon on December 2, 2019. By
analyzing the image captured by Diwata-
2’s Wide Field Camera (WFC) further,
researchers were able to estimate the
intensity of the typhoon.
2 2
Based on the presence of a well-defined
An RGB subset from Himawari-8
eye and curved rain band patterns
acquired on 02 December 2019 at 13:00
estimates a Current Intensity (CI)
PHT.
number of 4.5, which is equivalent to a
maximum sustained winds of 143 kph.
The red circle indicates the extent of
This was validated in a weather bulletin
area captured using Diwata-2’s Wide
released by the Philippine Atmospheric,
Field Camera (WFC).
Geophysical and Astronomical Services
and Administration (PAGASA) released at
2:00 p.m. on December 2, where it reported
a maximum sustained winds of 150 kph.

28 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Assessing 1 2

Flood Damage N N

Aparri, Cagayan during

Typhoon Falcon

Comparing the pre-disaster and post-

disaster images, areas affected by possible
flooding were identified. These are the
areas with more than 95% change in pixel
identity.

LEGEND 1 2

Road Networks SAR Image SAR Image

Possible Findings Satellite: KOMPSAT-5 Satellite: KOMPSAT-5
Municipal Boundaries Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture date: 16 July 2019 Capture date: 25 May 2018
Resolution: 2m Resolution: 2m

VOLUME 1 29
3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Assessing 1

Flood Damage
Flood Situation Map in
Region 2

Areas in red were potentially-flooded areas

in Northern Leyte during the onslaught of
Tropical Storm Agaton (Bolaven) in January
2018.

The research employs the use of

Convolutional Neural Networks in
processing satellite images to detect
potentially-flooded areas during hazard
events.

The flood situation maps, generated every

after extreme weather events, are sent to
NDRRMC, OCD, DOST, and affected LGUs
to aid in their damage assessment efforts.

N LEGEND 1 Multi-temporal SAR Imagery

Satellite: Sentinel-1A, 1B
Potentially-flooded areas
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture date and time: 10 April 2018, 22 April 2018,
30 December 2016, approximately 6:00 PM PHT
Resolution: 15m
Basemap: OpenStreetMap

30 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Enabling Timely 1 1 LEGEND

Disaster Response Barangays

Roads
Building Footprint
Rapid disaster response Landslide Affected Area
in Naga, Cebu landslide

The image shows the areas before and

after the landslide event in Naga, Cebu. The
map layout was immediately sent a team
on the ground. Techniques like machine
learning and AI helped enhance rapid
disaster response in this situation. The
ability to generate this [map] information in
a timely manner was crucial.

Identifying building footprints was critical to

overlay the extent of the landslide event.

It enabled rescuers to prioritize areas for

search and rescue.

Satellite: KOMPSAT-3
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO
Center
Capture date: 21 September 2018
Payload: Optical
Resolution: 0.5 m
Basemap: ESRI (Pre-landslide)

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3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Assessing 1

Earthquake
Damage
Rapid detection and
mapping of earthquake-
induced landslides in
Makilala, Cotabato

The image shows the areas potentially

affected by earthquake-induced landslides
in Makilala, Cotabato. Artificial Intelligence
(AI) models were used to predict the bare
soil and vegetation cover from Planetscope
satellite images. Areas with changes from
vegetation to bare soil are interpreted as
the potential landslide areas. The hazard
event was triggered by multiple quakes
that hit large parts of Mindanao in 29-31
October 2019.

Identifying the extent of landslides through

advanced image processing techniques
immediately after the event can potentially
aid in the rapid damage assessment and
response operations of DRRM actors on
the ground.

This image was shared with Philippine

Institute of Volcanology and Seismology 1
(PHIVOLCS) and the Cotabato LGU. N LEGEND

Landslide areas Satellite: Planetscope

Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO
Cartographic Information Center
Capture date : 08 November 2019
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM Zone 51N
Resolution: 3m
0 1 2 3 4 km

32 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Assessing 1

Forest Fire
Damage
Rapid detection of
affected areas in
Kabayan, Benguet

The image shows potentially burnt areas

in Barangays Adaoay, Anchokey, and
Kabayan Barrio in Kabayan, Benguet.
The fire extents are detected by analyzing
change in vegetation (NDVI) from
Planetscope Images captured from 28
January and 22 February 2020.

NDVI or Normalized Difference Vegetation

Index (NDVI) is an index used as an index
indicator to determine features in an
image with live green vegetation because
vegetated areas have high values of NDVI.
A drastic change (drop) in the NDVI values
indicates activities contributing to the death
or removal of live green vegetation.

LEGEND 1 Satellite: Planetscope

N Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO
Buildings/Houses Center
Capture date : 28 January to
Burnt Extent
22 February 2020
Barangay Boundary Resolution: 3m
Basemap: OpenStreetMap
Municipal Boundary

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3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Assessing
Forest Fire
Damage
Identifying other affected
areas in Benguet using
Diwata-2

In the same event mentioned previously,

Diwata-2 was used to identify other areas in
Benguet that were affected. Approximately
2,714.59 hectares were burnt, excluding
other possibly undetected areas covered
by clouds and their shadow. Affected areas
include Itogon, Bokod, Kabayan, Kibungan,
and some parts of Tuba. Maps like these,
made using Support Vector Machine
(SVM) and Burned Area Index (BAI), can
be used to complement other data used
by agencies tasked with post-disaster
assessment and rehabilitation.

LEGEND 1 True-Color/RGB image with 2 Diwata-2 Burned Area Map

identified burned areas
Benguet municipal boundary Overlaid on an RGB basemap,
Satellite: Diwata-2 using Support Vector Machine
Burned areas
Accessed via: STAMINA4Space (SVM) and Burned Area Index
Capture date: 29 February 2020 (BAI)
Payload: Spaceborne
Multispectral Imager (SMI)

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 3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Monitoring
1 1

Satellite:
Volcanic Activity PlanetScape
Accessed via:
DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture date:
Tracking Mayon Volcano’s 21 January 2018
eruption plume Payload:
Optical
When the Mayon Volcano erupted on Resolution:
January 2018, the PEDRO Center accessed 3m
optical images of Albay, Bicol captured by
Planet’s Dove satellites (top image). The
danger zones and affected areas were
identified. These images were distributed
to local government units and government
agencies like the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
and National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC) to assist
2
in their operations. 2
Satellite:
Diwata-1
Plumes and ashfall from Accessed via:
STAMINA4Space
Mayon Volcano eruption
Capture date:
30 January 2018
The Diwata-1 image (bottom) was captured
two weeks after the image shown above Payload:
was captured. This image shows volcanic Middle Field Camera (MFC)
plumes coming from Mayon Volcano, vividly Resolution:
depicted as a bright white streak near 287m
the center of the image. Wind simulations
show that the wind direction in the area Basemap:
during the acquisition time was coming
N PhilGiS and Google Earth
from the northeast. This coincides with the
observed dispersion of plumes relative to
the volcano. Other portions of the image
appear whitish due to the cloud cover LEGEND
passing over the captured areas at that
time. Mayon Volcano

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3 DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT

Monitoring Volcanic Activity

The extent of the ashfall from the Taal Volcano eruption may
be used by LGUs for post-disaster resource prioritization. For
example, the ashfall reaching bodies of water such as Laguna de
Ashfall from Taal Volcano Eruption last January 2020 Bay may induce a change in its water quality.

Emissions of the Taal Volcano Pre- and Post-Disaster Images

1 2 3 4

1 Optical Image 2 Optical Image 3 Optical Image 4 Optical Image

Satellite: KOMPSAT-3A Satellite: KOMPSAT-3A Satellite: KOMPSAT-3A Satellite: KOMPSAT-3A

Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Accessed via: DOST-ASTI Accessed via: DOST-ASTI
Center Center PEDRO Center PEDRO Center
Capture date: 05 April 2019 Capture date: 16 January 2020 Capture date: 05 April 2019 Capture date: 16 January 2020
Payload: KOMPSAT-3 Payload: KOMPSAT-3 Payload: KOMPSAT-3 Payload: KOMPSAT-3
Resolution: 70 cm Resolution: 70 cm Resolution: 70 cm Resolution: 70 cm
Basemap: OpenStreetMap Basemap: OpenStreetMap Basemap: OpenStreetMap Basemap: OpenStreetMap

36 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Defense and 4
Security

Monitoring Offshore
Infrastructure

Detecting Damages

Enhancing Maritime Domain

Awareness

VOLUME 1 37
4 DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Monitoring
Offshore
Infrastructure
1 2 3
Infrastructure in
Mischief Reef, Subi Reef,
and Fiery Cross Reef

The Philippines is a mission partner in the

NovaSAR-1 satellite, which has Synthetic
Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging capability.
As a mission partner, the country can
undertake data tasking and acquisition,
allowing access to NovaSAR-1 SAR raw
data and image processing for various 1 2 3
applications. SAR is ideal for continuous
monitoring of tropical countries like the
Philippines for its ability to penetrate
clouds, allowing us to capture clear images
even on cloudy skies. Shown in this picture
are details of built infrastructure such as
those in offshore islands.

In the figure below, we compared images

from an optical satellite and NovaSAR- 1.
Due to its cloud penetrating capability,
images from NovaSAR-1 gave us an
unobstructed view of the built infrastructure 1 Mischief Reef 2 Subi Reef 3 Fiery Cross Reef
on the offshore islands.
Satellite: NovaSAR Satellite: NovaSAR Satellite: NovaSAR
Capture date: 19 March 2020, Capture date: 01 December Capture date: 07 January 2020,
11:04:04 AM PHT 2019, 10:06:13 AM PHT 10:06:13 AM PHT
Accessed via: SiyaSAT Portal Accessed via: SiyaSAT Portal Accessed via: SiyaSAT Portal
Payload: Stripmap_HH Payload: Stripmap_HH Payload: Stripmap_HH
Resolution: 6m Resolution: 6m Resolution: 6m

38 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 4 DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Detecting 1

Damages
Prototype damage
detection using Artificial
Intelligence (AI) in
Marawi City

AI is capable of analyzing spatial patterns,

shapes and forms. With this capability, it is
able to identify damaged areas due to their
non-uniform shapes or forms.

1 VHR Optical Imagery

Satellite: Worldview
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI
PEDRO Center
Capture date: April 2018
Resolution: 0.5m
Basemap: OpenStreetMap
(inset)

N LEGEND

Damaged areas

Cartographic Information
Coordinate System: WGS 84/UTM
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 km

VOLUME 1 39
4 DEFENSE AND SECURITY

Enhancing
1

Maritime Domain
Awareness
Detecting ships in
Balacbac Strait, Palawan

An automatic ship detection algorithm will

be built into the SIYASAT portal to serve as
a complementary maritime surveillance and
monitoring system for the National Coast
Watch.

These images have been used to validate

reports of sightings of foreign vessels in 1
collaboration with the Philippine Navy’s
Maritime Research Information Center.

Satellite: Dove Satellites

Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO
Center
Capture date: 20 February 2019
Payload: PlanetScope
Resolution: 3m
Basemap: OpenStreet Map

40 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Planning and 5
Econometrics

Mapping Connectivity

Identifying Warming Economic

Zones

Monitoring Post-Disaster
Recovery Using Nightlights

Assessing Population
Displacement Using
Nightlights

Predicting Poverty and

Consumption-based Wealth
Using Nightlights

VOLUME 1 41
5 PLANNING AND ECONOMETRICS

Mapping 1

Connectivity

Signal Assessment using

Geospatial Analysis
LEGEND
Project (SAGAP)
Received power (dBm)
less than -110
Currently, DOST-ASTI is conducting data -109 to -105
collection and processing to examine the
-104 to -100
potential of radio frequency modelling and
planning in assessing signal propagation. -99 to -95
The study will use satellite images from
the PEDRO Center, Diwata microsatellites, -94 to -90
open source satellite data, and elevation -89 to -85
data from the PHL-Lidar project and
NAMRIA. The information generated -84 to -80
from these assessments can be used -79 to -75
by the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT), -74 to -70
telecommunication companies, TV and
radio operators, and other stakeholders
-69 to -65
operating wireless sensor networks and -64 to -100
rural networks to strategically place their
transmitters while considering radio
parameters, geographical conditions, and
possible obstructions.

1 Satellite: Advanced Land Observing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM)

Satellite “DAICHI” (ALOS) Resolution: 30m (Digital Surface Model)
Accessed via: JAXA EORC Basemap source: ESRI
Capture date and time: 2016 (release of
global DSM)
Payload: Panchromatic Remote-sensing

42 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 5 PLANNING AND ECONOMETRICS

Identifying 1

Warming
Economic Zones
Geospatial Assessment
and Modelling of Urban
Heat Islands (GUHeat) in
Quezon City 0 1 2 3 4 5 km

1 : 120 000

This image is the daytime Land Surface N LST

Temperature (LST) map of Quezon (Degree Celsius)
City. Here, one can see which areas are
hotter (dense clusters of establishments) 38.5
as indicated in red. This is the work of
Geospatial Assessment and Modelling
of Urban Heat Islands in Philippine Cities
(GUHeat), which studies thermal images
from satellites to minimize the warming of
urban areas or urban heat islands (UHIs),
and even reverse it to decrease electricity
consumption and air pollution, reduce 22.5
health risks and diseases, that will result to
greater livability.

The project was formed to find ways to LEGEND 1

mitigate the harmful effects of the rising
temperatures in urban areas, assessing Quezon City Satellite: Sentinel 2-A For the microclimate modelling in Quezon
the development of urban heat islands in Accessed via: Project GuHEAT city, specific sites were chosen within the
rapidly urbanizing and highly urbanized Boundary Commercial Business District (CBD) of the
Capture date: 05 February 2019
cities in the Philippines using satellites and city. The areas of study are the following:
Resolution: 30m
modeling-simulation techniques. Timog Avenue, Tomas Morato, Visayas
Basemap: Google Avenue and UP Diliman.

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5 PLANNING AND ECONOMETRICS

Monitoring Post-
Nightlights can also be used to track This graph shows that it took 20 months
rehabilitation efforts done for disaster- for Tacloban’s nighlight intensity to resume
stricken areas like Tacloban, after it to its pre-typhoon record.
Disaster Recovery was hit by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on
November 2013.
Using Nightlights
Rehabilitation and Tacloban, Leyte Nightlights (2013 to 2015)
recovery in Tacloban,
Leyte after Typhoon
Yolanda

Nightlight Intensity (nanoWatts/cm2/sr)

1

Time

Satellite: Suomi-National Polar Partnership satellite

Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center
Capture date: September 2013 to August 2015
Payload: Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)

44 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

 5 PLANNING AND ECONOMETRICS

Assessing 1 Marawi Change in Nightlights (May vs. June)

Population
Displacement nanoW/cm2/sr

Using Nightlights Increase (15)

Latitude
Tracking electrification No change (0)

in Marawi City after the

Marawi Siege
Decrease (-15)

Since electrification is visible in space,

studying nightlights can give us data that
can be useful in sustainable development
studies. In these Visible Infrared Imaging Longitude
Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) scans of Marawi
City, nightlights were seen to have Marawi Nightlights (May 2017) - Total: 222.58 nanoW/cm2/sr Marawi Nightlights (June 2017) - Total: 116.215 nanoW/cm2/sr
decreased from May 2017 (the start of the
Marawi Siege) to June 2017.
nanoW/cm2/sr
The nightlight intensity on a given place 30
can be studied to assess how populations
are possibly displaced from the major areas
Latitude

Latitude
of war to the neighboring cities. In armed 20
conflicts, this kind of intelligence can also
aid humanitarian efforts by lessening the
10
need to deploy people on the ground for
data collection.
0

Longitude Longitude
1

Satellite: Suomi-National Polar Partnership satellite Total nightlight intensity (clustered per
Accessed via: DOST-ASTI PEDRO Center barangay) in Marawi City before and after
Capture date: September 2013 to August 2015 the breakout of the armed conflict.
Payload: Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)

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5 PLANNING AND ECONOMETRICS

Predicting Poverty and

Consumption-based Wealth
Using Nightlights
Nighttime illumination corresponds to (3) Nighttime illumination (street lamps)
wealth through the following assumptions: can be a result of preferential treatment
for specific societal groups.
(1) Access to power grid requires
financial resources; Analytical models are used to fit the
features to household expenditure
(2) Nightlights indicate economic activity collected by Philippine Statistics Authority
leading to higher levels of wealth;

Generalized Additive Model (Province Nightlights 2006, 2009, 2012) Generalized Additive Model (Region Nightlights 2006, 2009, 2012)

46 OUR PLACE IN SPACE

Portfolio of Earth 6
Observation Satellites:
In use and accessed

Fast Facts:

Diwata-1
Diwata-2
Maya-1
Maya-2
Maya-3
Maya-4
IRIS-A & B
KOMPSAT 3, 3A, & 5
Planet
GeoEye-1
WorldView 2, 3, & 4
COSMO-SkyMed
NovaSAR-1
Sentinel
Landsat

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6 PORTFOLIO OF EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES: IN USE AND ACCESSED

Diwata-1
Fast Facts Trivia

Class Microsatellite (Microsat) Diwata-1 is the first Filipino-built

satellite under the Development of
Mass 52.40 kg Philippine Scientific Earth Observation
Microsatellite (PHL-Microsat)
Type Scientific Earth Observation Program, in partnership with Japanese
Universities Hokkaido University and
Dimensions 55 cm x 35 cm x 55 cm Tohoku University. PHL-Microsat is
funded by the Department of Science
Orbit Low Earth
and Technology (DOST), DOST-
Payloads High Precision Telescope (HPT), Philippine Council for Industry, Energy
Spaceborne Multispectral Imager with and Emerging Technology Research
Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (SMI w/ and Development (PCIEERD), and
LCTF), Middle Field Camera (MFC), implemented by the University of the
Wide Field Camera (WFC) Philippines Diliman together with DOST-
Advanced Science and Technology
Institute.
Launch 23 March 2016 via Atlas V Rocket Actual image of Diwata-1
from Kennedy Space Center (Cape
Canaveral, Florida)

Release 27 April 2016 from the International

Space Station (ISS)

Mission/s Disaster Response and Management MFC

1. Assess damages caused by DEPSW WFC
natural disasters by taking pre and U-ANT
SES
post disaster images in the area. SMI
S-ANT GPS-ANT
Environmental and Natural Resource SES
Assessment HPT
1. Multi-spectral Earth Observation
for remote sensing applications. S-ANT
2. Derive geophysical parameters X-ANT
for land and ocean applications. X-ANT S-ANT
SAS
Image acquisition Approximately 38% or 114,087 km. SES
S-ANT
sq. Philippine land covered

Status Decommissioned (06 April 2020)

Diagram of Diwata-1 modules

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 6 PORTFOLIO OF EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES: IN USE AND ACCESSED

Diwata-2
Fast Facts Trivia

Class Microsatellite (Microsat) Diwata-2 is the successor of Diwata-1

that is also built through PHL-Microsat,
Mass 57.36 kg with satellite operations continued
under the STAMINA4Space Program.
Type Earth Observation
Significant enhancements were made
Dimensions 50cm x 50 cm x 50 cm (Stowed State) to Diwata-2, such as its deployment to
a Sun-Synchronous Orbit, the addition
Orbit Low Earth, Sun-Synchronous
of deployable solar arrays for additional
Payloads High Precision Telescope (HPT), power provision, and the inclusion of an
Spaceborne Multispectral Imager with Enhanced Resolution Imager camera
Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (SMI w/ and an Amateur Radio Unit (ARU)
LCTF), Middle Field Camera (MFC), Wide which can be used as an alternative
Field Camera (WFC), Enhanced Resolution means of communication during
Camera (ERC), Deployable Solar Array disasters on the ground.
Panels (DSAP), an Amateur Radio Unit
(ARU), Zenith Sun Sensor Module
(SAS-Z), and an Extended Attitude Control Actual Image of Diwata-2
Unit (ACU-Ex)

Launch 29 October 2018

Diwata-2 Modules Diagram
Release Direct release to space via rocket

Mission/s (1) Multi-spectral Earth Observation for

remote sensing applications; (2) Data
Collection by Store-and-Forward
Mechanism; (3) Provide Satellite data to
agriculture, fisheries, forestry , and other
sectors; (4) Assess damages caused by
natural disasters by taking pre and post
disaster images in the area; (5) Provide
means of communication for emergency
responders through amateur radio;
(6) Automatic Packet Reporting System
(APRS) Message Digipeater
Image Approximately 80% or 245,063 km sq. of
acquisition Philippine land area covered (as of June
2020)
Status In orbit (since 29 October 2018)

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6 PORTFOLIO OF EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES: IN USE AND ACCESSED

Maya-1 Trivia
Maya-1 is the first cube satellite (CubeSat)
Fast Facts developed by Filipino engineers through
the PHL-Microsat Program. It is part of
the 2nd Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds
Class Cube Satellite (Cubesat) Satellite project of the Kyushu Institute
of Technology in Japan, which launched
Mass 1.11 kg Maya-1 together with BHUTAN-1 (Bhutan)
Type Technology Demonstration and UiTMSAT-1 (Malaysia). The Maya-1 bus
design is currently used as the reference
Dimensions 10cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (Stowed State) design of the first locally built CubeSats
Maya-3 and Maya-4.
Payloads Camera, Global Positioning System
(GPS) chip, Automatic Packet
Reporting System Message Digipeater
(APRS-DP) payload, Anisotropic
Magnetoresistance Sensor
Actual Image of Maya-1
Launch June 29, 2018 via SpaceX Falcon 9
rocket launched from Kennedy Space
Center, Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA)

Release August 20, 2018 via International VHF

Space Station (ISS) Antenna

Mission/s 1. Remote Data Collection by Store- Nichrome

and-Forward (S&F) Mechanism Wire
2. Commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) APRS-Digipeater Payload Camera
Demonstration on Cubesat
3. Image and Video Capture
GPS
GPS Chip Demonstration Patch
4. Detection of an Electronics Circuit RBF Port
Anomaly due to Space Radiation UHF
VHF
5. Magnetic Field Measurement Antenna
Monopole
in space using an Anisotropic Antenna
Magnetoresistance Sensor

Status In orbit (since August 10, 2018) Solar Cell

Maya’1 Modules Diagram

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Maya-2 Trivia
Maya-2 is currently being developed by
Fast Facts Filipino students in Kyushu Institute of
Technology in Japan, and is part of the 4th
Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite
Class Cube Satellite (Cubesat) project. The Filipino students building
Maya-2 came from different Philippine
Mass 1.3 kg universities, and is the country’s first
Type Technology Demonstration inter-university satellite project. Maya-
2 builds from the Maya-1 heritage, and
Dimensions 10cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (Stowed State) incorporates more advanced technology
demonstration missions. The satellite will
Payloads Camera, Automatic Packet Reporting be launched along with Tsuru (Japan) and
System Message Digipeater (APRS- GuaraniSat-1 (Paraguay).
DP) payload, Attitude determination
and control units, Perovskite solar
Actual Image of Maya-2
cells, Latchup-detection chip

Launch Target: February 2021

Release To be determined
Magnetic Coil-X 5x Solar Panels
Mission/s 1. Remote Data Collection by Store-
and-Forward (S&F) mechanism (S&F Reaction Wheel
mission) Main Structure
2. Commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) APRS-Digipeater Payload
Demonstration on Cubesat (APRS-DP Backplane Board
Mission) Reaction Wheel
3. Image and Video Capture (CAM
mission)
Antenna Panel
4. Demonstration of active attitude
stabilization and control Front Access Board
Magnetic Coil-X
5. Testing of perovskite solar cells in
space Battery Box COM Board
6. Demonstration of CubeSat structure Mission Board #1
as antenna 6x NiMH Batteries
Magnetic Coil-X
7. Test of latchup-detection chip
8. Test of COTS glue for solar cell Battery Insulator Mission Board #2
attachment

Status Under development Rear Access Board

OBC

Maya-2 Modules Diagram

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6 PORTFOLIO OF EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES: IN USE AND ACCESSED

Maya-3 Trivia
Maya-3 and Maya-4 (see next page) are the
Fast Facts first Philippine-university built CubeSats
developed under the STAMINA4Space
Program. The project aims to gain and
Class Cube Satellite (Cubesat) locally extend the knowledge and skills
on satellite development acquired from
Mass 1.08 kg
foreign schooling, and utilize the domestic
Type Technology Demonstration capabilities for satellite development.
The two share the same bus but differ
Dimensions 10cm × 10cm × 11.4cm (Stowed in some payloads: Maya-3 has two 5MP
State) visual camera that will take photos and/or
videos of the country, while Maya-4 has a
Payloads RGB Camera, Automatic Packet combination of a 5MP visual camera and a
Reporting System Message near-infrared camera.
Digipeater (APRS-DP) Payload, Global
Positioning System (GPS) Chip,
Anisotropic Magnetoresistance Sensor
Actual Image of Maya-3
Launch Target: May 2021 Engineering Model
Release To be determined

Mission/s 1. Demonstration of Ground Data

Acquisition using Store and Forward
(S&F mission)
2. Commercial off-the-shelf
(COTS) APRS-Digipeater Payload VHF Dipole Antenna
Demonstration on Cubesat (APRS-DP
mission) GPS Patch Antenna
3. Image and Video Capture (RGB Solar Cells
CAM Mission), Demonstration of an
NIR Camera (NIR CAM Mission) RGB Camera
4. GPS Chip Demonstration (GPS RGB Camera
Mission)
5. Detection of an Electronics Circuit UHF Dipole Antenna
Anomaly due to Space Radiation (SEL RBF Pin
mission)
6. Magnetic Field Measurement Deployment Switch
in Space using an Anisotropic Lever Switch
Magnetoresistance Sensor (AMR-MM
mission)

Status Under development

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 6 PORTFOLIO OF EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES: IN USE AND ACCESSED

Maya-4
Fast Facts
VHF Dipole Antenna

Class Cube Satellite (Cubesat) GPS Patch Antenna

Solar Cells
Mass 1.08 kg
NIR Camera
Type Technology Demonstration
RGB Camera
Dimensions 10cm × 10cm × 11.4cm (Stowed
UHF Dipole Antenna
State)
RBF Pin
Payloads RGB Camera, Near-Infrared (NIR)
Camera, Automatic Packet Reporting Deployment Switch
System Message Digipeater (APRS- Lever Switch
DP) Payload, Global Positioning
System (GPS) Chip, Anisotropic
Magnetoresistance Sensor

Launch Target: May 2021

Release To be determined

Mission/s 1. Demonstration of Ground Data

Acquisition using Store and Forward
(S&F mission) UHF Com
2. Commercial off-the-shelf Board
(COTS) APRS-Digipeater Payload Front Access
VHF Com
Demonstration on Cubesat (APRS-DP Board
Board
mission)
3. Image and Video Capture (RGB
EPS/OBC
CAM Mission), Demonstration of an Board
NIR Camera (NIR CAM Mission)
4. GPS Chip Demonstration (GPS
Mission)
Battery Case
5. Detection of an Electronics Circuit
Anomaly due to Space Radiation (SEL
mission)
6. Magnetic Field Measurement
in Space using an Anisotropic Back Plane
Magnetoresistance Sensor (AMR-MM Internal Boards
mission) Mission Board Rear Access
Board
Status Under development Exploded View

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6 PORTFOLIO OF EARTH OBSERVATION SATELLITES: IN USE AND ACCESSED

IRIS-A & B
Fast Facts

Class IRIS-A: 2U Cube Satellite (Cubesat)

IRIS-B: 3U Cube Satellite (Cubesat)

Mass IRIS-A: 2.42 kg

IRIS-B: TBD

Type Technology Demonstration

Dimensions IRIS-A: 22.7cm x11.2cm x11.2cm

IRIS-B: 34x11.3x11.3

Payloads AI Software (Inference) (NCNU), Iris-A rendered image.

Optical Mechanism Structure (NSPO),
Image Capture/Processing Boards
(Liscotech)

Launch To be determined

Release To be determined

Mission/s IRIS A: Demonstrate Internet of Things

(IoT)
IRIS B: Demonstrate in-orbit intelligent
remote sensing technology

Status Under development

Trivia
IRIS-A and IRIS-B are CubeSats that are Doppler shift estimation and improve the
part of the IRIS satellite series initiated by quality of downlink signal, increasing the
Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University efficiency of future IoT constellations of
(NCKU) and STAMINA4Space. Two Filipino nanosatellites intended to monitor objects Iris-B rendered image.
engineers are involved in the development from space.
of this series.

IRIS-A will be equipped with Internet of

Things (IoT) technologies to achieve a

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KOMPSAT 3 & 3A Computer generated image of KOMPSAT 3.

Retrieved from spacedata.copernicus.eu
Fast Facts

Country South Korea

Class KOMPSAT 3: Medium satellite

KOMPSAT 3A: Large satellite
Both optical high-resolution satellites

Mass KOMPSAT 3: ~980 kg

KOMPSAT 3A: less than 1,100 kg

Type Optical Earth Observation

Dimensions Both 3.5m tall with a diameter of 2m

Payloads KOMPSAT 3: Advanced Earth Imaging

Sensor System (AEISS)
KOMPSAT 3A: Advanced Earth
Imaging Sensor System-A (AEISS-A) &
Infrared Imaging System (IIS)

Launch KOMPSAT 3: 17 May 2012,

Tanegashima Space Center of JAXA,
Japan
KOMPSAT 3A: 25 March 2015, Jasny
Dombarovsky, Russia

Mission/s KOMPSAT 3:
Earth observation continuity from
the previous KOMPSATs Trivia
Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) KOMPSAT 3 is a high-resolution earth systems onboard. Its main mission is to
Environmental monitoring observation satellite by the Korea obtain infrared and high resolution electro-
Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) and optical images for Geographic Information
KOMPSAT 3A funded by the Ministry of Education, Systems (GIS).
Obtain infrared and high resolution Science and Technology (MEST).
electro-optical images for GIS KOMPSAT 3 was launched in 2012 to The PEDRO Center is subscribed to
Environmental monitoring continue the missions of KOMPSAT-1 both satellites through Skymap Global
and 2. Philippines.

KOMPSAT 3A, launched in 2015, is South

Korea’s first satellite to have two imaging

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KOMPSAT 5
Fast Facts

Country South Korea

Class Large satellite

Mass ~1400 kg

Type X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar

Payloads Corea SAR Instrument (COSI),

Atmosphere Occultation and Precision
Orbit Determination, Laser Retro
Reflector Array
Launch 22 August 2013 from Yasny, Russia

Resolution 1m, 2.5m and 20m

Mission/ Develop, launch and operation of

Attributes a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
satellite for:
Geographic information applications
Disaster and environmental
monitoring
Ocean and land management

Computer generated image of KOMPSAT 5 in orbit.

Retrieved from telespazio.co.uk
Trivia
KOMPSAT 5 is a Synthetic Aperture
Radar mission developed by KARI.
Its main mission is to provide satellite
imagery for GIS applications, ocean and
land management, and disaster and
environmental monitoring.

The PEDRO Center is subscribed to the

satellite via Skymap Global Philippines.

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Dove Satellites
Fast Facts

Country USA (Commercial)

Class Satellite constellation consisting of

130+ nanosatellites

Mass ~ 5 kg per satellite

Type Earth Observation

Dimensions 10 cm x 10 cm x 30 cm

Spatial 3 - 5 meters
Resolution

Launch 2013 to April 2019

Mission/ The entire constellation can cover all

Attributes of Earth’s land everyday.

Trivia Computer generated image of Dove Satellites in orbit.

Retrieved from altaonline.com

Dove is a commercial satellite

constellation made up of more than 130
nanosatellites. This constellation can
cover the Earth’s land every day.

The PEDRO Center is subscribed

to the satellite constellation through
Geospectrum Marketing Services.

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GeoEye-1
Fast Facts

Country USA (Commercial)

Class Large satellites

Mass 1955 kg

Type Earth Observation

Dimensions 4.35 m x 2.7m

Payloads GEOEYE Imaging System

Spatial Panchromatic: 41cm. GSD

Resolution Multispectral: 1.64m GSD
(at nadir)

Launch September 6, 2008

Mission/ The satellite can produce over

Attributes 350,000 sq. km. of pan-sharpened
multispectral satellite imagery daily.

Trivia Computer generated image of GeoEye-1 in orbit.

Retrieved from spacenews.com

GeoEye-1, formerly known as

OrbView-5, is a commercial satellite
by GeoEye Inc. launched in 2008. The
satellite is equipped with a pushbroom
imager. As of 2013, the satellite is being
operated by DigitalGlobe after their
merger with GeoEye Inc.

The PEDRO Center is subscribed to the

satellite via Geo-Surveys & Mapping
Inc.

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WorldView 2 & 3
Fast Facts

Country USA (Commercial)

Class Large satellites

Mass WorldView 2: 2,800 kg

WorldView 3: 2,812 kg

Type Earth Observation

Dimensions WorldView 2: 4.3 m x 2.5 m x 7.1 m

WorldView 3: 5.7 m x 2.5 m x 7.1 m

Payloads WorldView 2: WorldView-110 camera

WorldView 3: WorldView-3 camera
and CAVIS (Cloud, Aerosols, Vapors,
Ice and Snow) Imager.

Launch WorldView 2: 08 October 2009

WorldView 3: 13 August 2014

Mission High-resolution satellite imagery

Trivia Computer generated image of WorldView 2 in orbit.

Retrieved from satnews.com

WorldView 2 & 3 are commercial

satellites from DigitalGlobe Inc. These
satellites are made to provide high-
resolution satellite imagery. Aside from
its imagers, WorldView 3 is equipped
with its CAVIS payload which enables
the satellite to monitor the atmosphere.

The PEDRO Center is subscribed to

these satellites via Geo-Surveys &
Mapping Inc.

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COSMO-SkyMed
Fast Facts

Country Italy (commercial)

Class Constellation satellite (four satellites),

large satellites

Mass Each satellite weighs about 1700 kg

Type Earth Observation

Payloads SAR-2000, X-band , multi-resolution

and multi-polarisation imaging radar

Launch June 2007 to Nov 2010

Mission Global Earth observation

Defense and security applications
DIsaster management
Environmental monitoring

Trivia Computer generated image of COSMO-SkyMed in orbit.

Retrieved from Thales Alenia Space Facebook page.

COSMO-SkyMed is a constellation of
four satellites managed by the Agenzia
Spaziale Italiana (ASI). It is funded by
the Italian Ministry of Research and
Italian Ministry of Defense. These SAR
satellites were made for the needs of
the military and the general public.

The PEDRO Center is subscribed to

these satellites via Geo-Surveys &
Mapping Inc.

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NovaSAR-1
Fast Facts

Country United Kingdom (commercial)

Class Synthetic Aperture Radar minisatellite

Mass 430 kg

Type Earth Observation

Orbit Low Earth

Payloads S-band Synthetic Aperture Radar

(SAR), Automatic Identification System
(AIS)

Launch 16 September 2018 from ISRO

(Sriharikota, India)

Mission Disaster Management and

Environmental Monitoring
Assess an area by taking SAR
images. This is especially helpful when
cloud cover is an issue

Maritime Monitoring
Through AIS, detect ships and track
their movements.
Computer generated image of NovaSAR-1 in orbit.
Retrieved from research.csiro.au
Trivia
Modes of ScanSAR: 20m resolution, 100 km
Operation swath
The PEDRO Center’s ground receiving
Maritime mode: 30m, 400-750 km
stations have access to 10% of
swath
NovaSAR-1’s capacity for the satellite’s
Stripmap: 6m resolution, 20 km swath
lifetime. Other mission partners
ScanSAR wide: 30m resolution, 140
include UK Space Agency, Australia’s
km swath
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Status In orbit (since September 2018) research Organization and Indian Space
Research Organization.

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Sentinel 1 & 2
Fast Facts

Country Europe

Class Large satellite

Mass Sentinel-1: 2,300 kg

Sentinel-2: 1140 kg

Type Sentinel-1: Synthetic Aperture Radar

Sentinel-2: Multispectral Imaging
Satellite

Orbit Sun-synchronous

Payloads Sentinel-1: C-band Synthetic Aperture

Radar
Sentinel-2: Multispectral Imager (10m,
20m, 60m)

Launch Sentinel-1A: 03 April 2014

Sentinel-1B: 25 April 2016

Sentinel-2A: 23 June 2015

Sentinel-2B: March 2017

Mission Sentinel-1: Continuity for the C-Band

Synthetic Aperture Radar operational
application and services Computer generated image of Sentinel 1 in orbit.
Retrieved from ESA.int
Trivia
Sentinel-2: Land observation
The Sentinel missions are developed
Status Ongoing and designed by the European Space
Agency and funded by the European
Commission.

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Landsat-8
Fast Facts

Country United States of America

Class Large satellite

Mass 2071 kg

Type Earth Observation

Orbit Sun-synchronous

Payloads Operational Land Imager

Thermal Infrared Sensors

Launch 11 February 2013

Mission Collect and archive moderate

resolution reflective and thermal
multispectral image data to provide
coverage for the world in less than 5
years.

Status Ongoing

Trivia
Landsat-8 was a collaboration between
NASA and U.S. Geological Survey.
Landsat-8
Retrieved from NASA.gov

VOLUME 1 63
Contributors
DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute
(DOST-ASTI)
DOST-ASTI Bldg., UP Technology Park Complex, C.P. Garcia
Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1108
info@asti.dost.gov.ph
asti.dost.gov.ph
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA)
@dostasti
DOST-ASTI Bldg., UP Technology Park Complex, C.P. Garcia
@DOSTASTI
Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1108
info@philsa.gov.ph
Space Technology and Applications Mastery,
philsa.gov.ph
Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space)
@philspaceagency Program
@PhilSpaceAgency ULyS3ES Building 1, University of the Philippines Electrical
linkedin.com/company/philspaceagency and Electronics Engineering Institute (UP-EEEI) P. Velasquez
@PhilSpaceAgency St., UP Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1108
info@stamina4space.upd.edu.ph
stamina4space.upd.edu.ph
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) @stamina4space
DOST Building, Gen. Santos Avenue Bicutan,
@STAMINA4Space
Taguig City, Metro Manila ,Philippines 1631
@STAMINA4Space
+632 837-20-71 to 82 (632) 837-2937
dost.gov.ph
Project DATOS
@DOSTph
DOST-ASTI Bldg., UP Technology Park Complex, C.P. Garcia
Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1108

DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy datos@asti.dost.gov.ph

and Emerging Technology Research and asti.dost.gov.ph/projects/datos/
Development (DOST-PCIEERD) @DATOSproject
Science Heritage Bldg., Science Community Complex,
Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila , Philippine Earth Data Resource Observation
Philippines 1631 Center (PEDRO)
+632 8837-2071 to 82 loc. 2100, 2120 & 2121 DOST-ASTI Bldg., UP Technology Park Complex, C.P. Garcia
pcieerd.dost.gov.ph Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1108
@dostpcieerd +63 (2) 426 9764
@dostpcieerd asti.dost.gov.ph/projects/pedro-center/
@dostpcieerd @ThePEDROCenter

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