By Kurtis Archer | 2025-11-24

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is seeking a public-private partnership to construct the Philippines' first spaceport, as it lays the groundwork for the Indo-Pacific archipelago to become a space-capable and space-faring nation.

In a proposal submitted to the country's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center in July, the agency outlines a vision of the Philippines as a future space power.

As part of this vision, a spaceport would complement the country's upcoming space endeavors, such as a telecommunications satellite and a constellation of Earth observation satellites.

It also would expand Philippine investment in space-related industries.

"A spaceport can enhance the complexity of products and services offered by the Philippines by stimulating demand for high-tech, high-value goods and driving innovation and technology transfer,” according to the agency.

Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos discussed the project with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) officials at Expo 2025 Osaka.

"We’re working with JAXA, together with our very own PhilSA to use space technology that helps protect and improve the lives of Filipinos," he said.

PhilSA told The Inquirer that other potential international partners have shown "manifest interest" in developing the spaceport, as well.

'Innovation ecosystem'

"Spaceports are not just for launching rockets – they are gateways to new industries,” said PhilSA director general Joel Jospeh Marciano Jr.

"With the right public-private model, the Philippines can be an active part of this global value chain, not just a passive consumer of space services."

Marciano noted that policy reforms have created new opportunities for large-scale development in advanced technologies.

"These reforms provide a solid backbone for complex, capital-intensive infrastructure such as advanced manufacturing and spaceports," he said.

"This isn’t just about space. It’s about transforming the Philippine innovation ecosystem," said PhilSA deputy director general Gay Jane Perez.

She notes that the project will be the first economic or industrial zone focused on space for the Philippines.

"We are talking about new jobs, new manufacturing lines, new logistics corridors – and potentially becoming a regional hub for launch services."

"Developing spaceports, satellites, and data utilization would drive business-to-business opportunities – advancing our domestic space industry," added Perez.

Advantageous location

According to PhilSA, the Philippines offers a geographically strategic launch site, as it is advantageously situated near the equator.

"The Pacific Ocean to its east and the Celebes Sea to its south…offer vast unpopulated areas that can serve as safe downrange zones, mitigating the risk of rocket launches to populated regions," the agency said.

PhilSA said rockets launched eastward will have a velocity assist from the Earth’s rotation that will help keep fuel costs low and offer higher payload sizes.

Proximity to other regional space economies and the rise of domestic technologies are additional advantages, it said.

The agency is looking at locations on the eastern and southeastern seaboard that have roads, airstrips and seaports to assist with logistics during the project.

As an archipelago, the Philippines provides various launch trajectories for several orbital inclinations, and southern areas like Mindanao have relatively consistent weather patterns, helpful for planning launches.

Perez said she believes PhilSA is "cultivating interest from foreign allies" and spoke of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines in March.

During the visit, she said, Marciano "brought up how the alliance between the Philippines and the US can be expanded beyond land, sea, and air and into space," potentially via spaceport development and launch sites in the Philippines.

Per PhilSA, partnering with the US is vital to the Philippines developing a "mature spaceport ecosystem," which could help to inform development efforts.