Philippines and Japan sign joint declaration to continue decades of space cooperation

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) signed a Joint Declaration of Interest in Space Cooperation on 27 May 2026, reaffirming their shared goals and objectives, and their interest in exploring cooperation and industry partnerships in Satellite Joint Mission Partnership and Data Applications, Space Exploration and Human Spaceflight, and Space Sustainability. The declaration was signed by PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez and JAXA President Hiroshi Yamakawa during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan. 

“As we mark the 10th anniversary of the launch into orbit of the Diwata-1 microsatellite from the Japanese module of the International Space Station this year, we are reminded of how our partnership has quite literally reached new heights, symbolizing our shared commitment to innovation, science, and the industries of the future,” said President Marcos at the Summit Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae on 28 May.  

Satellite data show barangays affected by ashfall from Mayon

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) produced a map showing areas covered by ash deposits (bounded in red) from the reported pyroclastic density current along the Mi-isi gully of Mayon Volcano on 02 May 2026. The ash deposits (shaded in red) were classified using change detection on a Sentinel-2 satellite image from 03 May 2026 (shown top) compared with a reference image from before the event (28 April 2026). The bottom map overlays the estimated ash deposit extent to show potentially affected barangays. Based on the analysis, at least 8,544 hectares (~85.44 sqkm) were covered by ashfall. For comparison, this area is around half the size of Quezon City. 

Satellite data shows NO2 concentration in Metro Manila down to pre-fire levels for two consecutive days

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. Coinciding with reports on Tuesday (28 April) that significant progress has been made in suppressing the fire, satellite data shows that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration in Metro Manila has fallen below 6 April (pre-fire) levels for two consecutive days. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke, and lower NO2 concentrations indicate a reduction in the volume of smoke emitted from the landfill fire. Observations are consistent with measurements on the ground by EMB NCR and Central Luzon that particulate matter or PM over Metro Manila has improved on Tuesday (28 April) and Wednesday (29 April). PhilSA will continue monitoring of NO2 to assist in quantifying the impact of ground interventions. Please follow local and national health agencies for the latest advisories. 

Daily monitoring of satellite data shows air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (23 April), the Bureau of Fire Protection has reported “smoldering conditions” onsite and satellite data show that air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels. Daily monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration over Metro Manila (taken every 8:45AM), shows that levels are still higher than on 6 April, prior to the fire. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke.

The map shows the estimated smoke extent over Metro Manila and surrounding provinces at 8:45AM on Thursday, 23 April. Colors indicate the level of concentration of NO2, with darker red colors indicating higher levels of concentration.

Satellite data show smoke from Navotas fire reached as far as Bataan

This map shows how far smoke spread in the aftermath of the Navotas landfill fire, which broke out at approximately 8PM on April 10, 2026. The time-lapse map shows hourly snapshots from 7:45AM (featured) to 3:45PM on the following day, April 11. Darker colors indicate higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, a proxy for smoke extent, which can be measured during daytime using satellite data.

Satellite image on Thursday, 16 April, shows 28.6 hectares burned in Navotas landfill fire

This image shows the estimated burned area affected in the Navotas landfill fire, which reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (16 April, 10:33AM), six days after the fire reportedly broke out, there was an estimated 28.58 hectares (~285,800 sqm) of burned area (delineated in red). For comparison, this area is slightly larger than the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) produced this map and provided it to the NDRRMC. PhilSA’s support through images and maps provides wide-area coverage that guides NDRRMC in monitoring the situation and prioritizing areas for response. By making space data accessible to stakeholders, PhilSA enables informed decision-making and strengthens disaster response.

ASEAN workshop advances regional cooperation on space safety and traffic management

Heads of Delegation. (L-R): Yvette Chee (Singapore); Dr. Soe Myint Maung (Myanmar); UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini; Dr. Gay Jane Perez (Philippines); Dr. Sittiporn Channumsin (Thailand); Nam Dork (Cambodia); Dr. Abdul Rachman (Indonesia); Dr. Terence Jerome Daim (Malaysia); with the organizers of the ASEAN SSA STM Seminar-Workshop (Photo credit: ASEAN NOC)

As space becomes more congested, understanding what is happening in orbit and sharing that knowledge is critical to avoiding collisions and protecting satellites and their space-based services that people rely on every day. The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), convened the ASEAN Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) Seminar-Workshop on 12-13 March 2026 in Manila.

Framework for rocket development and test launches in PH to be established through new PhilSA agreement

[L-R] Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ferdinand Ferrer, DTI Sec. Ma. Cristina A. Roque, Ascend President Ramon C. Garcia Jr., DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda, CEZA Administrator and CEO Sec. Katrina Ponce Enrile, PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane P. Perez, Perigee Aerospace CEO Dong Yoon Shin, MOTIR Minister Kim Jung-kwan, and Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Jin Ryo Ryu during the MOU signing ceremony. (Photo credit: LinkedIn/Ramon Garcia Jr)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), together with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Ascend International Gateway, Inc., and Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Perigee Aerospace, Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on a framework for rocket development training and experimental rocket launches in the Philippines. These initiatives will demonstrate the viability of the establishment and operation of a Philippine spaceport, with the goal of positioning the country as a gateway to space in the region.