Page 51 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

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Filipino Satellite Makers Arrive in Japan For Testing Phase of Cubesats

Maya-3, Maya-4

The first batch of scholars of the Space Filipino-made nanosatellite named Maya-1 started investing in space programs back
Science and Technology Proliferation returned only last month after two years of in 2012, an effort that eventually led to
through University Partnerships (STeP-UP) orbiting the Earth. The said program “aims the establishment of the Philippine Space
has arrived in Japan for the testing phase to continue and build up the research and Agency last year, DOST Undersecretary for
of their own cube satellites. The scholars, capacity building activities from the PHL- Research and Development Dr. Rowena
who are under the Space Technology & Microsat Program on satellite development Cristina Guevarra noted in her Dec. 8 talk
Applications Mastery, Innovation and and operation in the country,” as stated at the Space Engineering International
Advancement (STAMINA4Space) program by UP on its website. The Philippines Course at KyuTech.
led by the University of the Philippines
(UP) Diliman, have been in the East Asian
country as early as Dec. 21, as per the said
program’s announcement on Facebook
the next day. Under the said program, they
were able to build the first locally made
cube satellites, which were named Maya-
3 and Maya-4. The scholars were trained
in the first-ever Master’s in Engineering
in Electrical Engineering program, with a
special focus on nanosatellite engineering,
at the UP Electrical and Electronics
Engineering Institute with the help of its
partner, the Kyushu Institute of Technology
(KyuTech) in Japan, according to UP’s
release on Nov. 23. Maya-3 and Maya-
4, which weigh barely over a kilogram
each, “can contribute considerably to
the country’s economic, territorial, and
disaster risk reduction efforts,” UP stated.
Also under the STAMINA4Space program,
which is funded by the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST), the first

Ethiopia Launches Second Chinese-Backed Satellite

An Ethiopian official disclosed Ethiopia zooming and other platforms," Alemayehu multi-spectral remote sensing satellite,
has launched its second Chinese-backed told the state-owned daily newspaper which is stationed in 700 km away from
satellite. Yishrun Alemayehu, Deputy Ethiopian Herald. "The 8.9 kilograms nano earth, is monitoring the environment and
General Director of Ethiopia Space Science satellite is a great achievement of Ethiopia weather patterns for better agricultural
and Technology Institute (ESSTI), said in a number of ways. The institute will planning, drought early warning, mining
the satellite which was launched on keep on working to further strengthen the activities and forestry management of
Tuesday has high advanced resolutions effort in technology transfer and human the country. In recent years, China has
and capable pictures to capture pictures development," he further said. The satellite forged partnership in developing Ethiopia's
in a clearer way. The satellite abbreviated preliminary design was done in Ethiopia, space science sector, whereby it has
as ET-Smart-RSS was launched from while the technical and detailed design was closely worked with Ethiopia's Ministry of
China Wenchang spacecraft launch site. conducted by a joint Ethiopian-Chinese Innovation and Technology (MoIT) to train
"Preliminary design was conducted in engineers' team. In December 2019, Ethiopian space engineers as well as help
Ethiopia, while detailed and technical Ethiopia launched its first ever satellite in the launch of micro-satellites.
works were undertaken in collaboration abbreviated as ETRSS-1 with support
with Chinese experts in China through from the Chinese government. The 72 kg

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