THE province of Tarlac hosted the launch of the Philippine Space Agency's (PhilSA) first-ever Space Technology Applications exhibit.The three-day exhibit, held on May 16-18 at the Tarlac State University (TSU), featured replicas of Philippine microsatellites and space technology applications by Filipino scientists and a mobile planetarium.The activity aimed to spread the message that the country has joined the community of nations because of its activities in space, PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano Jr. said.'We should all be proud that our fellow scientists and engineers in the Philippines have been able to build these satellites and we emphasize that we did not buy the satellites, we built the satellites,' he added.The exhibit was attended by high school students from Sto. Cristo Integrated School, Capas National High School, Tarlac Montessori School and TSU Engineering Students.TSU President Arnold Velasco said Tarlaqueños are honored and thrilled to experience an extraordinary exhibit that will transport them on a journey of imagination, inspiration and boundless expression.'I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the realization of this exhibit, especially to the dedicated team and passionate employees whose unwavering support made this display a reality,' Velasco noted.Aside from the exhibit, PhilSA is also set to launch the first high-power hybrid rocket called TALA developed in the Philippines between May 19 and 21 in Crow Valley, Capas, Tarlac.TALA, which uses solid and liquid propellant, was developed by senior high school students in Cebu in partnership with the Philippine Air Force Research and Development Center under the Young Innovators Program of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.PhilSA said the rocket has flight sensors, a GPS, a dual parachute deployment and a payload system to bring a can satellite up to approximately five kilometers into the atmosphere.The satellite is used to teach about space technology and to gather environmental data.PhilSA was created by virtue of Republic Act 11363, or the 'Philippine Space Act,' to address all national issues and activities related to space science and technology applications.