50 years of Indonesian satellites must mark new growth point for national satellite industry
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Director General of Digital Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Wayan Toni Supriyanto, stated that the 50-year milestone of Indonesian satellites must become a new starting point for the growth of the national satellite industry.
According to Wayan, if Indonesia successfully launched Palapa A1 as its first satellite on 8 July 1976 amidst financing and manufacturing challenges, then in this digital era, the national satellite industry should be able to rise and grow to become a master in its own country.
“The momentum of 50 years of Indonesian satellites must be made a new starting point, not just to reminisce about past glories but to ignite the spirit to stand on our own feet in the satellite field,” Wayan said during the commemoration of 50 years of Indonesian satellites at the BJ Habibie BRIN Building, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Wayan recalled the history of Indonesia’s first satellite, Palapa A1, whose launch was an important milestone for the entire nation. “This is an achievement born from the courage and forward-looking vision of our predecessors who believed that the world’s largest archipelagic nation could only be united if it was connected, and satellites were the answer,” Wayan said.
In the digitalisation era, Wayan noted that satellites remain relevant as a unifying force for the nation, especially for areas not reached by fibre optic or cellular connectivity. He said that with the presence of satellites in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged regions, communities living in those areas can still receive support for education, health, disaster management, and defence services.
However, it is undeniable that the satellite industry landscape today is vastly different from five decades ago. The entry of global market players and a lack of talent developing satellite innovations are among the challenges Indonesia must face.
Wayan said that efforts ranging from research and technology development, domestic manufacturing of components and spacecraft, to the formulation of policies supporting the long-term independence of Indonesia’s satellite industry need to be bolstered.
“We understand that satellite connectivity is not merely a technical matter but a matter of sovereignty. Whoever controls their own satellite infrastructure controls the future of their nation’s information and communication resilience,” Wayan said.
Discussing the role of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Wayan mentioned that the ministry actively manages the frequency spectrum and coordinates the availability of orbital slots in international forums. Furthermore, the ministry plays a crucial role in formulating policies that encourage the growth of the domestic satellite industry.
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Indonesian satellites, the government, through the state postal service POS Indonesia, launched a special edition stamp. The stamp serves as a symbol that the five-decade history of Indonesian satellites deserves to be commemorated and passed down as a legacy to future generations.