2 Pinoy space engineers to join training in India

MANILA, Philippines — Two researchers from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) have been selected for the Unispace Nanosatellite Assembly and Training (UNNATI) program of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Engineers Gracielle Capardo and Nathan Oscar Rossimo, both of the PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau, will join other international space researchers in the training in Bengaluru, India from Oct. 15 to Dec. 15, the PhilSA said yesterday.

It added that Capardo and Rossimo would receive full support for their training from the ISRO.

The UNNATI program will provide a unique learning opportunity on assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of nanosatellites in a multicultural context, drawing from the space technology experience of United Nations member-states.

Capardo and Rossimo are expected to develop expertise in satellite technology, obtain hands-on experience in AIT, gain exposure to satellite fabrication technologies and observe and implement best practices and methodologies by the ISRO.

The PhilSA’s participation in UNNATI also paves the way for strengthening the country’s relations with the ISRO for future space cooperation.

In a courtesy call by the PhilSA to the Indian embassy in Manila late last month, Indian Ambassador Shambhu Kumaran told the agency that the government of India is preparing for more capacity-building activities for future collaboration with other countries, especially the Philippines.