AdU STAR Lab

PhilSA welcomes 5th batch of AD ASTRA Scholars - Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) formally welcomed its 5th batch of scholars under the Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) Scholarships Program during an online ceremonial contract signing on 21 April 2026.

This view of Earth, seen from space, reminds us of a simple truth: we share one home that is finite, fragile, and extraordinary.

Captured during NASA’s Artemis mission program, this perspective highlights the essence of this year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet.” Environmental progress is not driven by policy alone. It begins with the choices we make every day, both as individuals and as a community.

At STARLab, we continue to harness space technologies, artificial intelligence, and data-driven approaches to better understand our planet and support solutions for sustainability and resilience.

Our power lies in how we act. Our planet depends on it.

[CAPACITY-BUILDING]

Congratulations to our Project STArQE and CpE Department faculty members on the successful completion of the Basic Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)/Drone Flight Training held on April 18–19, 2026 in Guiguinto and Malolos, Bulacan.

This activity is part of the capacity-building efforts of STARLab and MINERVA Lab under the DOST-PCIEERD GIA-funded Project STArQE, aimed at strengthening our competencies in drone operations, data acquisition, and field deployment for research applications.

The completion of this training marks an important first step toward securing the CAAP RPA Controller Certificate/License, while reinforcing our commitment to building technically capable and mission-ready teams.

We look forward to integrating these capabilities into our ongoing and future research initiatives.

The Philippines’ quantum ambitions are making headlines, and PCIEERD is right at the core! 🇵🇭

With the Quantum Technology Roadmap, the goal is clear: build homegrown expertise, strengthen research infrastructure, and position the country as a key player in the global quantum ecosystem by 2035.

With support from PCIEERD, we are turning quantum computing from concept to capability. 🌏

Read more in the comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️

🌡️🌲Urban heat is rising. Our tree cover isn’t keeping up.

Urban trees can reduce temperatures, lower energy demand, improve public health and deliver more than $3 in benefits for every $1 invested.

👉 Read more about how cities can turn this opportunity into action: https://bit.ly/4tgLSDQ

📣 The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) announces the appointment of Engr. John Leur D. Labrador as the new Director IV of the Space Technology Missions Systems Bureau (STMSB), succeeding Dr. Marc Caesar R. Talampas who recently assumed the role of Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology.

As head of PhilSA’s upstream bureau, Engr. Labrador will lead the development, integration, and operation of the country’s space missions—including building and testing satellites, developing space technologies, and strengthening local capabilities in satellite manufacturing and related systems.

He currently serves as Technical Lead of the MULA satellite project, the country’s largest Earth Observation (EO) mission to date. He does so with over a decade of experience in satellite systems engineering, being involved in the development of the Philippines’ first EO satellites, Diwata-1 and Diwata-2.

Prior to PhilSA, he was part of the PHL-Microsat and the STAMINA4Space Programs, including the PHL-50 Project and microsatellite bus development, and has led multidisciplinary teams across the Philippines, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

Engr. Labrador holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Tohoku University and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

We look forward to his leadership in advancing the country’s space technology development and strengthening the Philippine space ecosystem. 🛰️✨

⏳ 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟: 𝗫𝗤𝘂𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗼𝗻! ⚛️

This is your last chance to be part of 𝗫𝗤𝘂𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲! Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your creativity and understanding of quantum computing through blogs, videos, or game development.

🚨 Registration closes soon!
📅 Program runs: April 13–16, 2026
🖥️ Showcasing: April 17–19, 2026
🏆 Winners announced: April 19, 2026

🎁 Win exciting prizes and have your work featured to a wider audience!

Whether you're a writer, creator, or developer—there’s a place for you in XQubit.

🔗 Register now before it’s too late: https://wqw.qcsp.ph/competitions/xqubit

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the quantum movement. See you in XQubit!

“Space research transcends mere exploration, acting as a crucial driver for innovation, inspiration, and understanding our existence.”
🚀💫🌏👩‍🚀👨‍🚀

A research paper entitled “Promoting Analog Space Missions through Students for the Exploration and Development of Space Philippines (SEDSPH) Upskills Group Mentorship Program” was presented at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025, held in Sydney, Australia from September 29 to October 3, 2025, and published by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

Ms. Kristine Jane Atienza, the main author of the paper, led the presentation at the congress.