MANILA — The Philippines is preparing to conduct its first-ever sounding rocket launch in Cagayan in February 2027, a landmark mission aimed at testing locally developed technologies and strengthening the country’s capability in rocket engineering.
The government has set a launch window from Feb. 12 to 15, with Valentine’s Day tentatively identified as a symbolic target, officials from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) announced during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said engineers initially proposed the four-day launch window, prompting him to suggest Feb. 14 as the target.
“I think [the engineers] were targeting between February 12 to 15. So, ina-average ko na lang, sabi ko, mas maganda Valentine’s Day,” Aguda told reporters.
PhilSA Director General Gay Jane Perez clarified, however, that the exact launch date has not been finalized and will depend on weather conditions and technical requirements.
“As you know, with rocket launches, there are conditions na kailangan po natin ma-determine on the day itself, maybe a few days leading to it, that will really determine kung makakalipad tayo o hindi. Go or no go,” Perez said.
She said the Valentine’s Day target symbolizes the government’s commitment to pursuing the SIKLAB Project rather than a fixed launch schedule.
“It’s not really saying on the dot na lilipad po ‘yung rocket dito, but it’s more symbolic really. It represents our commitment, our initial target here to fly that rocket,” she added.
The mission will involve a liquid-fueled sounding rocket intended for scientific research, atmospheric studies, and technology testing. Unlike an orbital rocket, it will not place a satellite into space.
According to PhilSA, the demonstration flight will carry a locally developed payload weighing up to two kilograms and is expected to reach an altitude of at least five kilometers.
The mission seeks to validate rocket technologies, launch procedures, and safety protocols while developing the expertise of Filipino engineers in rocket design and operations.
Cagayan was selected as the launch site because of its proximity to the equator, favorable geography, available infrastructure, and surrounding open waters that provide a safer area for falling rocket debris.
CEZA Administrator Katrina Ponce Enrile said the proposed spaceport, once fully operational, could generate around 15,800 direct jobs and contribute as much as $3.6 billion in annual economic activity.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the planned launch during his 2026 State of the Nation Address, saying the project would be undertaken in partnership with a South Korean aerospace company./PN
