In 1975, one of the most significant milestones in space cooperation happened when a joint international space mission by the United States and the Soviet Union named the Apollo-Soyuz was successfully carried out.
This photo posted on the Philippine Space Agency Facebook page shows Diwata-1, the first Philippine microsatellite, being released into orbit from the International Space Station. This event 49 years ago apparently started space cooperation among countries, symbolically thawing Cold War tensions in the world’s newest frontier at the time.
Space-based technologies have the potential to provide critical information for disaster risk management. Another common use by most would be connectivity in both navigation and connectivity to the rest of the world by television and radio. People's lives have undoubtedly been made easier through the use of global positioning satellites , and our worlds have broadened, thanks to shows on television and radio access.
One benefit under the maritime domain is the ability to monitor vessel movements, maritime traffic, port conditions, and more. People are able to claim and assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea thanks to advancements in the spaceborne monitoring of our seas. In going back to the example above, no one in 1975 would have guessed the extent and breadth of spaceborne technologies and their ability to impact society at large through the benefits they provide.
Space debris is becoming an increasingly concerning problem, and through the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space , there have been efforts to develop guidelines and agreements to promote responsible space activities and mitigate space debris. This is an effort that is truly made possible by countries working together to manage this problem.
This is why conversations on space need to happen. The beginning of these conversations here in the Philippines lies in a conference that will be held on March 19, 2024 entitled “Navigating the Frontiers of Global Space Collaboration and Promoting Space Science and Technology Applications Across Industries.”