Maya-5 and Maya-6, two locally developed cube satellites, were successfully deployed into orbit from the International Space Station (ISS), according to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). The launch of the cube satellites was made possible through the “Kibo” or Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Small Satellite Orbital Deployer-26 CubeSat deployment mission on July 19.
The CubeSats, weighing 1.3 kilograms each, are expected to provide valuable data for weather monitoring and emergency announcements. Over the first 72 hours after their deployment, the satellites’ health and performance will be closely monitored. The scholars who developed the CubeSats expressed their hope to receive the satellites’ beacons, which will provide important information such as antenna deployment status and battery levels.
The data acquired during the CubeSats’ time in orbit will also contribute to scientific research and future satellite development in the Philippines. The first beacon of Maya-5 and Maya-6 was received by the scholars through an amateur radio satellite station at the University of the Philippines Diliman approximately 90 minutes after their release into space. The next step for the team is to continue monitoring the health and status of the CubeSats for their respective missions.
The development of Maya-5 and Maya-6 was part of the Space Science and Technology Proliferation through the University Partnerships (STeP-UP) project, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and implemented by the University of the Philippines Diliman and the DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute.
