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Louella Desiderio - The Philippine Star
February 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Billionaire Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is looking at the possibility of setting up a launchpad in Mindanao, according to Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.
“Elon Musk is interested to set up a launchpad, launching pad facility, for SpaceX in Mindanao,” Romualdez told reporters.
He said SpaceX is exploring building in Mindanao, citing its proximity to the equator.
“I think they’re looking for a place where they can lease or buy,” he said.
He said the company has conveyed its interest in setting up a launchpad to the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
In 2022, former senator Manny Pacquiao met with SpaceX executives and encouraged them to consider setting up a spaceship launchpad in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao.
Pacquiao said a launchpad in Mindanao would put the Philippines on the map of space exploration.
In addition, he said establishing a launchpad in Mindanao would create jobs for Filipino scientists, engineers and laborers.
Apart from serving Asian clients, Pacquiao said the launchpad is expected to enable the Philippines to launch satellites that can be used for communications, weather monitoring, topography mapping, environment protection and research.
Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
At present, SpaceX is offering its satellite internet service Starlink in the Philippines.
Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet to support streaming, online gaming, as well as video calls.
Leveraging advanced satellites and user hardware, as well as its experience with spacecraft and on-orbit operations, Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world.
