BRIN to Launch NEO Satellite Next Year

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is ready to launch the Nusantara Earth Observation (NEO 1) satellite in January 2027, an earth observation satellite built by Indonesian researchers with a domestic component level (TKDN) reaching 65 percent. “The launch of NEO 1 will be an important milestone demonstrating that Indonesia is increasingly capable of mastering the entire satellite technology chain,” said BRIN Head Arif Satria in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/7). He stated that BRIN prepared all NEO 1 assets using domestic innovation, covering the entire process from mission planning, system design, software testing, satellite operations, to ground station support. He explained that the NEO 1 satellite will be a national earth observation satellite classified as a mini-satellite with high and medium resolution imaging capabilities. The NEO 1 satellite will provide solutions to support the provision of national image data and will be used for regional mapping, agriculture, forestry, marine affairs, disaster mitigation, environmental monitoring, and monitoring vessel activity via the Automatic Identification System. Furthermore, NEO 1 can provide satellite-based earth imaging. Satria said BRIN is committed to continuing the development of other types of satellite innovations, including the development of a national telecommunications satellite. “Mastery of telecommunications satellite technology is a strategic investment that strengthens digital sovereignty, increases economic competitiveness, and reduces dependence on foreign technology providers and services,” Satria concluded.