By Monsi A. Serrano
As the Philippines advances its satellite programs, space-based data is creating new opportunities for Filipino innovation and enterprise, Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang said, adding that the country is well-placed to benefit from the expanding global space economy.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with THEPHILBIZNEWS, Fuglesang underscored the strategic importance of satellites as critical infrastructure shaping modern economies — from telecommunications and logistics to climate monitoring and disaster resilience.
With decades of experience in space missions and research, Fuglesang noted that the rapid growth in the number of satellites orbiting Earth is transforming how governments and businesses operate.
“Today there are about 15,000 operational satellites around the Earth,” he said, pointing out that the number has surged roughly tenfold over the past two decades.
For countries like the Philippines, he stressed, building satellite capabilities is not merely a scientific endeavor but an economic strategy that can foster innovation, develop high-value industries, and strengthen national resilience.
Philippine satellite investments creating opportunities
The Philippines has taken significant steps in recent years to develop its space capabilities through the launch of satellites such as Diwata-1, Diwata-2, and Maya satellites — initiatives that have also contributed to training Filipino engineers and scientists in advanced aerospace technologies.
Fuglesang said such initiatives provide a strong foundation for building local expertise and creating new industries that leverage satellite-derived data.
“You learn by doing,” he said. “Building satellites yourself helps develop expertise, while international cooperation allows countries to participate in larger and more advanced projects.”
Satellite data, he explained, can support critical sectors in the Philippines including agriculture, fisheries, urban planning, logistics, and disaster risk reduction — areas where timely and accurate information can translate into economic gains and improved public services.
Swedish innovation model in space and data
Fuglesang also pointed to Sweden’s innovation-driven approach to space technology as an example of how smaller economies can leverage scientific expertise and collaboration to create globally competitive industries.
He cited the use of satellite data by Swedish companies to optimize shipping routes, improve environmental monitoring, and develop advanced analytics platforms — innovations that have helped enhance operational efficiency while promoting sustainability.
A key enabler of such innovation is access to open satellite data, including information generated through Europe’s Copernicus Programme, which uses Sentinel satellites to monitor the Earth’s atmosphere, land, and oceans.
“A lot of this data is actually available for free,” Fuglesang said. “That creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and companies to build new services using satellite information.”
Satellite systems are also expected to reshape the future of communications, particularly as next-generation mobile technologies evolve.
Fuglesang noted that emerging developments could allow mobile devices to connect directly to satellites, enabling seamless communication even in remote areas or maritime zones — a capability that could significantly benefit an archipelagic country like the Philippines.
“In the future you may be able to use your mobile phone anywhere through satellite connections,” he said.
Growing role in climate and disaster resilience
For the Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, satellite technology plays an increasingly vital role in monitoring weather patterns, tracking environmental changes, and strengthening early warning systems.
Fuglesang emphasized that integrating satellite data into national development strategies can enhance climate resilience while also opening new opportunities for technology-driven enterprises.
With thousands of satellites already in orbit and many more planned in the coming years, Fuglesang said the global space economy is entering a period of rapid expansion.
“A lot of innovation can come from how people use this data,” he said.
For Philippine businesses, startups, and research institutions, he added, satellite-based information represents a new frontier for innovation — one that could drive economic growth, technological capability, and global competitiveness.