PhilSA team trains for 2027 rocket launch in Cagayan - GMA Network

A 10-member team from the Philippine Space Authority (PhilSA) is undergoing training in the development, assembly and testing of a liquid-fueled rocket in preparation for a planned rocket launch in Lal-lo, Cagayan, in 2027.

PhilSA said the training began in August and will run until October 2026. It is being conducted in cooperation with South Korean space mobility company Perigee Aerospace Inc., with which the agency began its partnership in 2022.

“The ongoing training provides PhilSA personnel with hands-on experience in rocket assembly and systems integration, testing, operational procedures, and preparations for the planned test launch,” PhilSA said in a press release.

“Specifically, the training covers full system assembly, integration, and testing of the sounding rocket in the Republic of Korea, as well as preparations for and operations during its test launch in Cagayan, using the Blue Whale 0.1 (BW0.1), a liquid-propellant sounding rocket platform developed by Perigee,” it added.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that a sounding rocket launch test is scheduled for next year in Cagayan, which he described as a "geographically and economically primed" location that could serve as the country's gateway to space.

According to PhilSA, the training would help develop Filipino expertise in rocket systems, launch operations, safety processes and related launch-support activities.

PhilSA Acting Director General Gay Jane Perez said the capacity-building programme would give the country greater independence in sending satellites into space, benefiting key sectors.

“Progressively developing our domestic launch capabilities will allow greater flexibility and independence in sending satellites into space, which serves the country's key sectors such as security, telecommunications, and agriculture,” Perez said.

She added that a successful launch test in 2027 would pave the way for future launches in the country and could attract foreign investments from private aerospace companies.

“A successful liquid-fueled sounding rocket test launch in 2027 will demonstrate that we have the technical, operational, safety, and regulatory foundations for future launches from the Philippines, and potentially attract foreign investments from private aerospace companies,” Perez said.

Aside from training, site preparations in Cagayan are also underway to ensure the safety of nearby areas, PhilSA said.

The agency said it has been coordinating with the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), the local government and residents of nearby communities on site preparations and consultations.

These preparations are being conducted ahead of the transport of the liquid-fueled sounding rocket built by the PhilSA team during its training.

“The liquid-fueled sounding rocket the PhilSA team built during the training will be shipped to the Philippines and undergo further testing in preparation for the launch next year, during which it will carry a locally developed payload around two kilograms to an altitude of at least five kilometers,” PhilSA said.

The launch is targeted to take place at the Cagayan North International Airport, which PhilSA said has existing infrastructure to support the activity.

PhilSA said the Department of Information and Communications Technology and Ascend International Gateway, a Philippine corporation engaged in airport operations and management, are providing connectivity and logistical support for the planned rocket launch. — MCG, GMA News