Philippines Pushes for Space Value Chain and Local Space Economy with Korean Aerospace Executives

PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. (left) presents PhilSA's mandate, plans, and space diplomacy projects with representatives of Perigee Aerospace Inc. [Below photo courtesy of Perigee Aerospace Inc.] Sixth from left, Perigee Aerospace Inc. Founder & CEO Mr. Yoon Shin, PhilSA DG Marciano Jr., fifth from left and Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, fourth from left. (Seoul PE photo)  

SEOUL 11 March 2024 – The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) led by Director General Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. conducted a technical visit to the Republic of Korea from 12 to 14 February 2024. Director General Marciano met with Perigee Aerospace Inc. officials at their Rocket Development Complex (RDC) located in Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, ROK. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, as well as members of the Embassy’s economic team, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay also joined the meeting. 

Mr. Yoon Shin, Founder & CEO of Perigee Aerospace Inc. discussed areas of cooperation within the scope of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PhilSA. Perigee Aerospace Inc. also provided a tour of their Okcheon RDC facilities. 

This was followed by a visit to the Perigee Aerospace Inc.’s office in Daejeon, ROK where PhilSA DG Marciano Jr. gave a presentation on the Philippine Space Agency’s mandate, plans, and space diplomacy projects.

Both sides also discussed future collaboration for the launch and reuse of small space launch vehicles (SLVs) in the Philippines and the development status of Perigee Aerospace’s Blue Whale 1, a two-stage launch vehicle undergoing testing with a launch planned off the coast of Jeju Island. On 14 February 2024, PhilSA Science Research Specialist Sonny Cac Jr. and Commercial Counselor Dinsay traveled to Jeju Island, ROK for a visit to Perigee’s Jeju branch office, followed by an introductory meeting with the Mechanical Engineering Department of Jeju University the Space Mobility Division of Jeju Self-Governing Province.

Discussions were likewise held on cooperation for future test launches, vehicle stage recovery for reuse, and possible Perigee commercial operations within the Philippines. 

To spur space talent and development in the Philippines, PhilSA and Perigee discussed possible collaboration in specialized educational programs on space industry development, particularly on the manufacturing and practical use of space launch vehicles.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed the close collaboration of PhilSA and Perigee. The Ambassador also expressed optimism in stronger Philippines – Republic of Korea cooperation on space research, industry promotion, and development upon the launch of the new Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) sometime in 2024. END

PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph Marciano Jr. (left) presents PhilSA's mandate, plans and space diplomacy projects with representatives of Perigee Aerospace Inc. and Nara Space. [Below photo courtesy of Perigee Aerospace Inc.] Sixth from left, Perigee Aerospace Inc. Founder & CEO Mr. Yoon Shin, PhilSA DG Marciano Jr., fourth from right and Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, third from right. (Seoul PE photo)  

For more information, visit https://www.seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassy-seoul.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/.