PH eyes first liquid-fueled rocket launch

2027 test flight aims to kick-start Philippine launch capabilities.

The Philippines is preparing to launch a rocket from Cagayan in 2027, a move that could bring the country closer to building its own space launch capability.

The planned sounding rocket test launch was among the developments highlighted during Monday’s State of the Nation Address, with the government aiming to develop Filipino expertise in rocket technology and lay the foundation for a future Philippine spaceport.

The demonstration flight will involve a liquid-fueled rocket launched from Philippine soil, carrying a locally developed payload of up to 2 kilograms to an altitude of at least 5 kilometers.

The project brings together the Philippine Space Agency, DICT, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Ascend International Gateway, and South Korea’s Perigee Aerospace, which specializes in launch vehicles, propulsion systems, and spacecraft components.

The push comes as the global space industry enters a period of rapid growth. The first half of 2026 recorded 153 orbital launches, with demand expected to continue rising as existing spaceports struggle to keep up with commercial needs.

A local launch capability could allow the Philippines to independently deploy communications satellites, Earth observation systems, and navigation assets while strengthening digital infrastructure, disaster monitoring, and other services that rely on space technology.

But the country’s space ambitions are also facing scrutiny. With Filipinos still dealing with urgent needs in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other basic services, critics have questioned whether space investments should take priority.

The challenge will be ensuring that this investment creates opportunities for Filipino workers, businesses, and communities, rather than becoming a milestone that exists only on paper.

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