2 PH internet sats for launching in 2024 named ‘Agila,’ 10 million to gain

(From left) Astranis Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer John Gedmark, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Astranis Co-founder Ryan McLinko, and Astranis Director of Commercial Sales Ajmair Heer pose for picture during the announcement of the official name of internet satellites (“Agila”) that will be launched by Astranis and Orbits Corporation next year. (Screen grab from RTVM Youtube / November 16, 2023)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine envoy to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez has reveailed the official name of two internet satellites set to be launched by California-based company Astranis Space Technologies next year.

Romualdez announced the satellites will be called “Agila.”

The presentation of the name was contained in a memorandum of agreement signed on Thursday (Manila time).

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. attended the signing.

The event took place on the sidelines of the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, California.

“The selection of the name ‘Agila’ or the Philippine eagle holds deep significance, embodying the project’s unwavering commitment to empowering the Filipino nation through the expansion of access to the digital world,” Romualdez said.

Agila consists of two internet satellites specifically designed to endure Philippines’ weather.

It will be launched by Astranis in partnership with Philippine-based satellite firm Orbits Corporation.

The deal is seen to provide internet connections to up to 10 million users in 30,000 communities in the Philippines.

It is also expected to generate about $400 million, or around P22.3 billion, in investments in the country over the next eight years.

In a post on social media platform X, Astranis said the first satellite is scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2024.

The second satellite will be launched later next year.

Present at the signing were Astranis Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer John Gedmark, Astranis co-founder Ryan McLinko, Director of Commercial Sales Ajmair Heer and Orbits Chief Augusto Baculio.