Everyone anticipated the launch of the S.S. Katherine Johnson Cygnus spacecraft as it ferried three CubeSats developed under the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech)’s 4th Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite (BIRDS-4) Project to the International Space Station (ISS) last February 21, 2021. The three 1U CubeSats, which fall under the nanosatellite category in terms of mass (1-10 kg), were Maya-2 (Philippines), Tsuru (Japan), and GuaraniSat-1 (Paraguay).

Now a year later, the engineers who developed Maya-2 are still in awe of their achievements with the launch of the country’s second CubeSat that day.

“That was only one year? It felt longer to me because of the operations when it became harder to differentiate days from each other since we had to go to the GS (ground station) whenever the satellite passes at a high elevation. But nevertheless, I’m amazed that our team was able to send an object to space, a few hundred kilometers from Earth, and communicate with them; get images and data taken from space,” said Maya-2 engineer Dr. Izrael Zenar Bautista.

The Maya-2 engineers, who are taking their doctorate degrees in Japan through the support of the DOST-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), were sent to Kyutech through the Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University Partnerships (STeP-UP) Project of the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program. 

“After the BIRDS-4 satellites were released in space, we continuously learned about the satellites. It gives me joy to have finally seen the fruit of our hard work while still learning and doing satellite operations. Of course, the work didn’t end when the satellites were released. We have been constantly executing missions and downloading data to check the success of our missions,” said Engr. Mark Angelo Purio, one of the engineers who worked on Maya-2.

Maya-2 and the other BIRDS-4 cubesats were released into orbit from the ISS on March 14, 2021 at around 7:20 p.m. PHT. 

“Knowing that the satellite works in space and fulfills its missions brings pride and joy. It has become part of our lives — from the satellite project kick-off in 2018, satellite launch in 2021, up to its daily satellite ground station operations. I am looking forward to another year’s celebration, just like Maya-1,” said Engr. Marloun Sejera.

The BIRDS-4 team comprised 14 engineers from different countries, three of which are Filipinos. Most of the engineers have completed their degrees while some are still studying. Dr. Bautista graduated in December 2021 and is currently working for the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to continue his research in the field of space and satellite technology.

Engr. Purio is currently working on a journal publication and dissertation, and Engr. Sejera is currently working on a 6U CubeSat project targeted for launch by the end of February and other activities related to CubeSat electrical interface standardization. Both are candidates for graduation this year.

Engr. Purio also plans to teach again in Adamson University. “I plan to go back to Adamson to teach again and maybe help in the initiatives of PhilSA and STAMINA4Space programs. Being affiliated with Adamson University, there are already plans to set up a Space Engineering lab with a ground station so we can continue to participate in the satellite operations of the BIRDS network. We have also included a space engineering track in our recent curriculum.”

The BIRDS-4 team also helped in the testing of the Maya-3 and Maya-4’s engineering and flight models, both of which were already launched into orbit last October 6, 2021. The team also helped in the procurement and engineering model tests of the Maya-5 and Maya-6 satellites, both still under development.

Much like Maya-1, Maya-2 is a technology demonstration and educational platform geared to collect data remotely by Store-and-Forward (S&F) Mechanism. Maya-2 is equipped with a camera for image and video capture, an Automatic Packet Reporting System Message Digipeater (APRS-DP), attitude determination and control units for active attitude stabilization and control demonstrations, Perovskite solar cells, and Latchup-detection chip. Apart from the similarity of the platforms, Maya-2 was developed and improved using the knowledge gained from the development of its predecessor.

To date, the CubeSats are still orbiting the earth. The BIRDS ground stations operate the satellites: check the satellites’ health, collect housekeeping data, execute missions, and download data. Updates on the CubeSats and activities of the BIRDS-4 Team are posted on their Facebook page.  

About the Maya-2 Successors

The first Philippine university-built CubeSats, Maya-3 and Maya-4, were launched to the ISS on August 29, 2021 and released into orbit on October 6, 2021. Beacons of the CubeSats were successfully received and decoded the following day through the Philippine Universities Ground Archiving and Data Reception (PUGAD) station in UP Diliman. The satellites were developed by the first batch of STeP-UP scholars.

Maya-3 and Maya-4’s successors, Maya-5 and Maya-6, are currently under development by the second batch of STeP-UP scholars and are slated for launch into space later this year.

About the PHL-Microsat and STAMINA4Space Programs

The PHL-Microsat program is the country’s first initiative in developing the country’s capability in small satellite technology. Through its 4 years of implementation, it successfully launched two microsatellites: Diwata-1 and Diwata-2; and a nanosatellite, Maya-1. It is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), monitored by DOST-Philippine Council for Industry and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), and done through the collaboration between the University of the Philippines Diliman, the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), Hokkaido University and Tohoku University.

The PHL-Microsat Program is succeeded by the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program. STAMINA4Space is aimed at further developing deep expertise that enable and sustain the growth of a local scientific-industrial base in space technology and applications in the Philippines. Through science-based policies and programs supported by innovations in space technology, STAMINA4Space intends to contribute to building a resilient Filipino society and a productive, knowledge-based economy.

For more images of Diwata-1 and Diwata-2, visit us at phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/updates and follow us on Twitter @STAMINA4Space. We are also on Facebook and Instagram.

For inquiries, e-mail: stamina4space@eee.upd.edu.ph.

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The Philippines’ newest satellite has taken flight and is ready to take on its mission.

Maya-2, a cube satellite (CubeSat) made by Filipino engineers studying in Japan, was released to space from the International Space Station (ISS) on March 14, 2021 at around 7:20 p.m. PHT. This latest development follows the CubeSat’s launch to the space station aboard a Cygnus NG-15 rocket (S.S. Katherine Johnson) on February 21, 2021, together with CubeSats Tsuru (Japan) and GuaraniSat-1 (Paraguay).

The three satellites were designed and developed under the 4th Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite (BIRDS-4) Project of the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan. Their primary purpose is technology demonstration, from which the learnings will be used as an educational platform. The three Filipino engineers were sent to Kyutech by the Department of Science and Technology’s Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) to pursue doctoral degrees as part of a scholarship program done in cooperation with the Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University Partnerships (STeP-UP) Project of the STAMINA4Space Program. Like its predecessor Maya-1 (decommissioned on November 23, 2020), Maya-2 can remotely collect data using a Store-and-Forward (S&F) mechanism and capture images and videos using an on-board camera. Its 1.3 kg frame is also equipped with an Automatic Packet Reporting System Message Digipeater (APRS-DP), attitude determination and control units for active attitude stabilization and control demonstrations, Perovskite solar cells, and a Latchup-detection chip.

What’s next for Maya-2 now that it is in space?

“Right now we hope to execute all our missions with the help of other BIRDS ground stations around the world so that we could utilize the satellites to their full extent,” said BIRDS-4 Project Manager Izrael Zenar Bautista. Maya-2 engineer Marloun Sejera adds that the team is now preparing for the satellite operation, which includes satellite health monitoring and mission execution.

With Maya-2 being the Philippines’ fourth successful attempt to send a satellite to space in collaboration with Japan, this new milestone continues to nurture the longstanding partnership between the two nations.

“As the principal investigator of the BIRDS program, I am very happy to see Maya-2 deployed from the ISS,” said BIRDS Project Principal Investigator Dr. Mengu Cho, who highlighted the BIRDS Project’s goal to foster human resources to initiate indigenous space programs in non-space faring countries. “After seeing the infant space programs in many countries, I can say that the Philippines is one of the best examples of a success story… for Maya-2, three students from the Philippines are engaged and play key roles in the entire BIRDS-4 project. I am sure that they can be an important asset to the future Philippine space program. So far, I have supervised five Philippine students under the BIRDS program and have been always satisfied with their talents and sincereness to study.”

Kyutech Assistant Professor George Maeda shares the same sentiments.

“Of all the BIRDS partners, none is more serious about developing in-country ‘human resources’ than the Philippines. Before you can make a spacecraft, you have to train engineers who know how to make them. The point is understood in your country,” said Prof. Maeda. He adds, “And one more thing that is immensely impressive, you have propagated more capacity building through BIRDS-2S and BIRDS-4S [locally developed cubesats under the nanosatellite engineering track in EEEI UPD]. This means the ‘BIRDS concept’ is replicated inside of the Philippines. The fruit of knowledge acquired at Kyutech is taken to the Philippines and then applied to help others—this ‘multiplication of knowledge’ is precisely what we want to occur. This is what education is all about. It means to spread knowledge.  Replace darkness with light on a broad scale.”

After the scholars complete their studies, they have their eyes set on furthering the proliferation of the knowledge they gained in Japan and bring it back to the Philippines. 

“After finishing my studies, the plan is to return to our respective institutions and carry out knowledge transfer to aspiring students in the field of science and technology,” said Marloun Sejera. 

Maya-2 engineer Mark Angelo Purio chimes that he also plans on returning to his alma mater, Adamson University, to impart what he learned in Japan after he completes his PhD degree and supporting government projects related to this endeavor. “Furthermore, I envision setting up our own ground station in the university to continue our efforts to support space-related activities while involving our students by providing them hands-on training.”

As for Izrael Zenar Bautista, he hopes to contribute to the growing space industry back home. 

“Maybe in the Philippine Space Agency or in the academe so that I could share the things I learned in Kyutech and apply it for the future satellites that our country will build. A startup relating to satellites or my research is also one that I’m looking into,” he says. He also shared that he plans to continue what he has learned in Japan, from his research in Perovskite solar cells to satellite systems engineering, to hopefully providing meaningful output for the Philippines.

The investment made in these scholarships are well worth it, according to DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo.

“We are ecstatic over Maya-2’s successful deployment to space and incredibly proud of the DOST-SEI STeP-UP scholar-engineers behind it,” she says. “They exemplify the perseverance of Filipinos and the brilliance of our science scholars. Maya-2 proves that the country’s space program and science scholarships are investments worthy of people’s support.”

“The successful launching of Maya-2 makes me feel proud,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña. “The accomplishment made possible by our young researchers and engineers should make us confident that we can do more in the area of space technology. I have high hopes that we as a people will be able to benefit more from developments in this area—all towards making the quality of life of our people better.”

As early as now, the Philippines can bank on witnessing more satellites be sent to space in the near future—with Maya-3, Maya-4, Maya-5, and Maya-6 already in their respective development and testing phases.  

“Between Japan and the Philippines, there are other ongoing space-related collaborations, including STAMINA4Space Program,” said Prof. Mengu Cho. “I am very happy to see [that the] Philippines is engaged in Maya-3 to Maya-6 projects to build CubeSats domestically. These kinds of capacity building efforts will solidify the basis of the Philippine space program. I am certain that the deployment of Maya-2 will open another page of our collaboration.” 

Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Dr. Joel Marciano, Jr. issued the following statement, “Just as how computers on Earth have helped to improve our lives, satellites like Maya-2 are ‘computers in orbit’ that work for us from space. With the release of Maya-2 from the ISS, the genius words of Mark Weiser, father of ubiquitous computing, resonate with renewed meaning and inspiration: ‘The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it’. Like Diwata-1, Maya-1 and Diwata-2 before it, Maya-2 now ‘blends’ into the background to serve and perform its mission. Godspeed, Maya-2!”.

Please stay tuned for official updates about the initial contact between the CubeSats and the ground station.

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The country witnessed another historic moment as its second cube satellite (CubeSat) Maya-2 was successfully launched to the  International Space Station (ISS) today, February 21, 2021 at 1:36 A.M. (PHT) aboard the S.S. Katherine Johnson Cynus spacecraft. Sending the satellite into the ISS is the final step before the satellite reaches its targeted altitude in Low Earth Orbit, when the space station deploys it at a date to be determined later on.

The 1U CubeSat, which falls under the nanosatellite category in terms of mass (1-10 kg), was launched to the ISS with two other identical CubeSats from Japan (Tsuru), and Paraguay (GuaraniSat-1) as part of the Northrop Grumman CRS-15 mission. All three were developed under the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech)’s 4th Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite (BIRDS-4) Project. Maya-2 was designed and developed by Filipino scholars who were sent to Kyutech through the Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University Partnerships (STeP-UP) Project of the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program. STAMINA4Space is funded by the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology (DOST), monitored by DOST’s Philippine Council for Innovation, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), and implemented by DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), and the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD).

“To do something for the first time is great, but to be able to do it again and innovate is greater. We take pride in the launch of Maya-2, the successor to Maya-1 and the Philippines’ latest milestone in creating value in space for and from Filipinos and for the world,” said Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr.

Like its predecessor Maya-1 (decommissioned on November 23, 2020), Maya-2 is a technology demonstration and educational platform geared to collect data remotely by Store-and-Forward (S&F) Mechanism. Aboard the 1.3 kg satellite is a camera for image and video capture, an Automatic Packet Reporting System Message Digipeater (APRS-DP), attitude determination and control units for active attitude stabilization and control demonstrations, Perovskite solar cells and Latchup-detection chip. Apart from the similarity of the platforms, Maya-2 was developed and improved using the knowledge gained from developing its predecessor.

“Maya-2 is [a part of a] well executed plan that Maya-1 will not remain as Maya-1 but it will continue to grow and improve as a series of Mayas  – as a platform to explore and educate Filipino generations of engineers and scientists in the meaningful and peaceful use of outer space,” said Engr. Joven C. Javier, who led the BIRDS-2 team that launched Maya-1, UiTMSAT-1, and BHUTAN-1. 

The development of Maya-2 under the BIRDS-4 Project started in 2018 and was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they faced hurdles, the team of Filipino engineers, who are taking their postdoctoral degrees in Japan through the funding of the DOST-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), were able to power through.

“The development of Maya-2, and BIRDS-4 satellites in general, was special due to the fact that it was affected by the pandemic… Not being able to gather physically also add to the challenges we faced during the final stages of the project as most of the work such as troubleshooting and finalizing software and satellite assembly were done with less people from the team,” Engr. Mark Angelo Purio detailed the challenges they faced.

Why is it important to continue and sustain local CubeSat research—even during a pandemic?  

“More than the product, sustaining local cubesat research and development potentially leads to (1) a systems engineering mindset among our researchers , (2)  local partners that can co-develop our space industry, and (3) enhanced Science Technology and Engineering curricula in K-12 and higher education,” said Dr. Maricor Soriano, STAMINA4Space Program Leader and Project Leader of the program’s Optical Payload Technology, In-depth Knowledge Acquisition, and Localization (OPTIKAL) component. 

What’s next for the Philippines’ second CubeSat?

“As of now, the team is finalizing the mission operation for the first 24 hours, first week and first month. We are also preparing to coordinate with ground stations of the BIRDS network to ask for their help and cooperation in operating the satellites once deployed in orbit,” said BIRDS-4 Project Manager Engr. Izrael Bautista. 

“We hope for a successful launch today and deployment of the satellites from ISS soon. We are now preparing for the satellite operation and mission execution,” Maya-2 engineer Mark Angelo Purio adds. “It is such a wonderful experience to have worked with people from different backgrounds and nations. The commitment, contribution, and effort each member has put on to the satellite development are testaments that the team has made a bond.” 

After deployment into orbit, the team will immediately start carrying out the satellite’s missions. 

As early as now, the Philippines can anticipate more Maya launches in the future with Maya-3, Maya-4, Maya-5, and Maya-6 already in their respective design and development phases under the STeP-UP project led by Prof. Paul Jason Co.

“Maya-2 is the manifestation of our country’s commitment to build and sustain our own SSTA ecosystem,” he said. “This is but another step in our long journey as a space-faring nation.” 

“Having reached the point of sending the Maya-2 CubeSat for launch, it is a proud and anxious moment not only for the STep-Up scholars, but also for the rest of the STAMINA4Space Program,” adds Dr. Maricor Soriano. “Proud, in that, after all the challenges the scholars went through, including working  amidst a pandemic,  they passed all the qualifications for  launch;  and anxious, because the next step is to await signals from Maya-2 in orbit. But this is what building technology for space is really like. And we feel thankful for the opportunity to learn. Congratulations to our STep-UP scholars!”

With the Philippines now having its own space agency, the country can be confident that its space research and development activities will be sustained and built on. 

“We congratulate our BIRDS-4 Filipino engineers—IZ, Mark, and Marloun—and the rest of the STAMINA4Space team,” PhilSA Director-General Dr. Marciano, Jr. said. “The PhilSA is building on your accomplishments to bridge, uplift, and empower our nation through space.” 

The Space Technology Applications Mastery, Innovation, and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program  is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), monitored by DOST’s Philippine Council for Innovation, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), and implemented by DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), and the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). It further aims to develop deep expertise that enables and sustains the growth of a local scientific-industrial base in space technology and applications in the Philippines.

Email: info@stamina4space.upd.edu.ph

Website: stamina4space.upd.edu.ph

Facebook: Facebook.com/STAMINA4Space

Instagram: Instagram.com/@stamina4space

Twitter: Twitter.com/@STAMINA4Space (main), Twitter.com/@Diwata2PH (Diwata-2)

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government that will plan, develop, and promote the national space program in line with the Philippine Space Policy. The PhilSA was created through the Philippine Republic Act 11363, also called the Philippine Space Act, signed into law on August 8, 2019. The PhilSA envisions a Filipino nation bridged, uplifted, and empowered through the peaceful uses of outer space. Its mission is to promote and sustain a robust Philippine space ecosystem that adds and creates value in space for and from Filipinos and for the world.

Email: info@philsa.gov.ph

Facebook: Facebook.com/PhilSpaceAgency

Instagram: Instagram.com/philspaceagency

Twitter: Twitter.com/PhilSpaceAgency

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The mission of Maya-2, Tsuru, and GuaraniSat-1 includes obtaining data on the habitat of reduviid bugs, which can cause Chagas disease, in Paraguay through its store and forward payload. Other missions include the demonstration and operation of location information system using amateur radio bands, earth imaging, in-orbit demonstration of a new-generation perovskite solar cells developed by the Ma Laboratory in Kyutech, advanced attitude control using magnetic torquer and the installation of a new reaction wheel, and radioactivity resistance evaluation of consumer parts in orbit for future satellite development.    

A total of 14 students (1 undergraduate student and 13 graduate students) worked together from the concept stage to the actual assembly of the satellites, including the definition of the satellite missions and systems, integration work using test models, environmental tests, assembly of launch models, and final tests. Satellite operations will be done by the BIRDS international ground station network consisting of 13 countries, namely, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ghana, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines, which also participated in the BIRDS 1, 2, and 3 Projects.

“The Philippines will strive to continue its support to international cooperation on space programs. We look forward to further cooperation with Japan and Paraguay, and future activities under the BIRDS Project. Our new Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) will take the lead in expanding international space cooperation,” Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo affirmed in his message.

“The PhilSA commends the Filipino scholars behind our Maya-2 and the entire BIRDS-4 team, as well as the STAMINA4Space Program and the DOST-PCIEERD for this notable accomplishment. The development and utilization of these nanosatellites serve as an example of value creation in space not just through the data or experiments that they enable and the international cooperation that they foster, but also through the people and high value skills that they build. The PhilSA is committed to further expanding these activities towards a robust local space ecosystem that bridges, uplifts, and empowers the Filipino nation,” said PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr.

The participation of the Philippines in both the BIRDS-2 (2016) and BIRDS-4 (2018) Projects is also supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“[This contributes to] developing our human resources by increasing the number of Filipino engineers and scientists that are trained and knowledgeable in small satellite development and operations,” DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said in his video message during the event.

In addition, the BIRDS-4 Project was headed by another Filipino, the second time since the country’s participation in BIRDS-2 in 2016, and marked the first satellite collaboration of Philippine universities, as the other two Filipino members were representatives from Adamson University and Mapua University.

“We are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology for enabling our young engineers and scientists to advance their know-how on satellite development. The BIRDS-4 Philippine team is a testament that, given the opportunity and adequate support, Filipinos can be global leaders in highly technical fields such as Aerospace Engineering,” said Dr. Gay Jane Perez, STAMINA4Space Program Leader. 

Maya-2 is part of the fourth iteration of the Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite (BIRDS-4) Project, with two other CubeSats from Paraguay (GuaraniSat-1) and Japan (Tsuru). These BIRDS-4 CubeSats will be carried to the International Space Station (ISS) and will be released in orbit through JAXA’s Kibo Module on the ISS next year.  

Read more about Maya-2 here.

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