Filipino satellite now ready for deployment from International Space Station

From Update.Ph (Apr 25): Filipino satellite now ready for deployment from International Space Station  

The first Filipino-built satellite PHL-Microsat 1 Diwata will be deployed to space from the International Space Station on Wednesday, April 17. The National Research and Development Institute of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in Tsukuba Space Center confirmed the readiness of Diwata-1 for deployment as reported by Pinoy Science.

Pinoy Schience said Diwata-1 was housed at the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), nicknamed ‘Kibo’ at the International Space Station. It is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 by the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD) into space at an altitude of 400 kilometers from the earth’s surface.

“The deployment of the microsatellite combines the only air lock and robot arm in the ISS used in Kibo operations, which in the future, is expected to be one of the important means to meet the launch needs of microsatellites,” JAXA said.

Diwata-1 will be providing photos and images of Philippines that could be used to assess extent of damage during disasters, monitor bodies of water and vegetation, and observe large-scale weather patterns.

The main payload of Diwata-1 consists high precision telescope (HPT) for high resolution imaging, spaceborne multispectral imager (SMI) with LCTF, and wide field camera (WFC).

“Diwata-1 is expected to be in orbit for approximately 20 months and will be imaging the country twice daily,” Pinoy Science said.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/filipino-satellite-now-ready-for-deployment-from-international-space-station/4680