Diwata-1 is the country’s first micro-satellite launched into orbit on April 27. It flies in the sky to capture photos and images using its high precision telescope, space borne multispectral imager, and wide field camera for observing large-scale weather patterns and monitoring bodies of water and vegetation.
Filipino scientists and analysts will process received data into various spatial data that will be useful to the Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and National Defense, to name a few.
Data from Diwata will be received by PEDRO and processed for use in crop management especially in times of supply shortage. This technology is a very important tool for the government to better anticipate extreme weather events such as the El Niño Phenomenon.
PEDRO is expected to start operations by the time Diwata-2 is launched in 2017 or 2018 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales province. (With a report from Mindanao Examiner)