Diwata-2 inches closer to reaching space, with the targeted date of launch set on October 29, 2018 between 12:08 to 12:30 GMT+08 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan via H-IIA F40 rocket. Diwata-2 is the second Philippine-made microsatellite 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 (ASTI), Hokkaido University and Tohoku University. It was planned and designed in 2016 right after Diwata-1 was released from the International Space Station (ISS). Both Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 are Earth-observing microsatellites capable of capturing images of the Earth for environmental assessment.
Final inspections of the Diwata-2 Flight Model before officially handed off to JAXA on August 30, 2018
A step forward from its predecessor
Diwata-2 will orbit at a higher altitude (~620km) for an increased lifespan and a sun-synchronous orbit, which will enable fixed revisit intervals that would make repeated environmental monitoring of specific areas possible. Like Diwata-1, it will also carry a Wide Field Camera (WFC), Middle Field Camera (MFC), High Precision Telescope (HPT) and Spaceborne Multispectral Imager (SMI) with Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (LCTF) but with notable improvements in performance. The major features that distinguish Diwata-2 from its predecessor include deployable solar panels for increased power generation output and an Enhanced Resolution Camera (ERC) which increases the resolution of images taken by SMI. Furthermore, it will feature two locally-made experimental modules: an Amateur Radio Unit for emergency communications, and a Satellite Orientation Module for increased pointing accuracy and future satellite development initiatives.
Diwata-2 has undergone major iterations since planning began. These include a simulation model, a mechanical test model, an engineering model, and finally, the flight model. On August 29, 2018 the Diwata-2 Flight Model was completed and handed over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on the following day. It currently continues to make its final steps towards space.
You can see the microsatellite’s journey and milestones so far in the following photos:
Diwata-2 Flight Model on Vibration Test Platform (sun-facing side up)
Inscriptions mark the Filipino craftsmanship involved, such as the Philippine flag, the Baybayin translation of “Diwata”, and the names of the PHL-Microsat engineers.
Radiometric calibration of payloads; Calibration Images are obtained at different camera settings and at different known radiance values using an integrating sphere.
Learn more about Diwata-2 or browse, download, or request for Diwata-2 images.
