ISAT U bags two top awards at National Space Conference

Members of the ISAT U Space Society swept two top awards at the Philippine Space Science and Astronomy Research Conference (PSSARC) 2026, winning both the Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation awards.

The conference, held at the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus from Aug. 3-5, 2026, drew more than 200 participants from universities and research institutions across the Philippines and abroad, making it the largest annual gathering for the country’s space community.

Mechanical engineering students Giovanni Paolo Mondejar and Kent Alster Palmares, together with society founder Dave Loui Gumarang, claimed the Best Poster Award in Space Science for their research evaluating drum brake performance under simulated lunar surface conditions.

“This project forced us to think outside the box, proving space offers us a wide range of unique research opportunities,” Mondejar said.

Civil engineering student Van Kaizer Ibañez took home the Best Oral Presentation Award for his study assessing the educational impact of the organization’s regional space outreach programs across Iloilo.

The dual win marks a milestone for ISAT U, positioning the university among the country’s emerging leaders in student-led space research.

“Receiving this national recognition validates our dedication and fuels our drive to expand our research and space education outreach across the Philippines,” Ibañez said.

“The university’s unwavering support provided us with the confidence and platform necessary to excel on a national stage,” Palmares added.

Organization adviser Herold Caisido said the back-to-back wins reflect the strength of the group’s research culture.

“Guiding these young researchers proves that ISAT U engineers possess the technical vision and capability required to pioneer national space science and technology applications,” Caisido said.

PSSARC serves as a national platform for researchers and students to present original research in space science and astronomy, drawing hundreds of delegates each year.