The Philippines is primed to make its mark in the global space industry, according to aerospace engineer and former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe. Visiting Manila for Philippine Space Week, Bowe highlighted the country’s strong STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) talent pool and the role of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) in nurturing a new generation of scientists.
As a Bahamian American whose homeland also lacked its own space program, Bowe noted that the Philippines’ challenges in education, environment, and food security mirror those she personally understands. During her stay, she met with students from the Philippine Science High School and Adamson University, urging them to dream big and pursue careers in science and space exploration.
Breakthroughs in Microgravity Research
Earlier this year, Bowe joined an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, conducting microgravity experiments supported by NASA. Her research explored how crops such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and chickpeas can be genetically adapted to survive in less-than-ideal conditions—an innovation with potential benefits for food security both in space and on Earth.
Beyond agriculture, she also contributed to NASA’s Translational Research Institute for Health, gathering biometric data in space to advance medical research. For Bowe, these breakthroughs show how partnerships with commercial spaceflight companies could give PhilSA an avenue to launch its own cutting-edge studies in agriculture, health, and technology.
Building the Philippines’ Space Future
Bowe emphasized that the key step for the Philippines is identifying which areas of research matter most to its people, then seeking global collaborations to bring those priorities into space. She envisions massive opportunities ahead from developing a local spaceport to enhancing disaster response through satellite systems and expanding digital connectivity.
“The next step,” Bowe said, “is to put a person in space.”
