THE UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta in Las Piñas partnered with foreign academic institutions for the launching of a nanosatellite in space.

The university will launch the ASEANSAT1 project along with the Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam, Malaysia and King Mongkut’s University of Technology in Thailand.

“The objective of the project is to launch a nanosatellite in the first quarter of 2023 to the International Space Station, after which the satellite will go into a low earth orbit to gather data on Earth imaging, marine traffic and greenhouse gases and testing of equipment like commercial off-the-shelf global positioning system and the Anisotropic MagnetoResistance Magnetometer,” UPHSD said.

University president Dr. Antony Tamayo said that the project is a milestone not only for the university but also for “the advancement of science and technology in the country and in the ASEAN region.”

On the other hand, UiTM’s Mohamad Hazaimy Jusoh stressed that the ASEANSAT1 will have an “immense impact” on a nation’s social and economic life” and will prod ASEAN countries to accelerate their space technology efforts.

“These impacts include the development of human resources that aids economic development, the development of knowledge-based economies and manufacturing of space grade products,” Jusoh said.

“Many corporations and countries are working to put their own satellites in space. If we don’t get involved in a space project to put our own object in space, we are not sure if there will be any space for us in space in the next five years,” he added.