Top executives of SpaceX, a space exploration company owned by tech magnate and billionaire Elon Musk, have met with Senators Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III to discuss the use of low orbit satellites to improve the country’s internet connectivity.
Pacquiao said this would provide cheap internet to Filipinos and opens the possibility of establishing a spaceship launchpad in the Philippines.
“This technology provides various uses such as advancing online learning, e-government services, and disaster relief and coordination, as well as linking our OFWs to their loved ones. Our future needs this technology,” the presidential aspirant said.
In the meeting held via zoom last Saturday, Rebecca Hunter, head of Space X Government Relations, invited the Promdi standard bearer to visit the US so that he can meet with the key leaders of one of the world’s biggest private aerospace companies.
Pacquiao also brought up the possibility of exploring other areas of cooperation with Elon Musk’s sister companies, Tesla and the Boring Company.
He said Tesla batteries can be used for the jeepney modernization program.
The planned massive subway system, on the other hand, can be done with the help of the Boring Company.
Pacquiao told the SpaceX executives to also consider the possibility of establishing a launchpad in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, as this would not only put the country on the map of space exploration but would also generate thousands of jobs for Filipino scientists, engineers, and laborers.
“I heard that the ideal location for a launchpad should be near the equator. Senator Pacquiao’s province of Sarangani is very near the equator and could be an ideal location,” Pimentel added.
