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 local content level (TKDN) reaching 65 per cent.

“The launch of NEO 1 will be an important milestone showing that Indonesia is increasingly capable of mastering the entire satellite technology chain,” said BRIN Chief Arif Satria in Jakarta on Wednesday (8/7).

According to him, BRIN has prepared all of NEO 1’s assets using home-grown innovation, covering mission design, system design, software testing, satellite operations and ground station support.

He explained that the NEO 1 satellite will become a national earth observation satellite in the mini-satellite (minisat) class, with high and medium resolution imaging capabilities.

NEO 1 will provide solutions supporting the supply of national imagery data, to be used for regional mapping, agriculture, forestry, marine affairs, disaster mitigation, environmental monitoring, and vessel activity monitoring via the Automatic Identification System.

In addition, NEO 1 can provide satellite-based earth imaging. BRIN, he said, is committed to continuing the development of other satellite innovations, including developing a national telecommunications satellite.

“Mastery of telecommunications satellite technology is a strategic investment that strengthens digital sovereignty, enhances economic competitiveness and reduces dependence on foreign technology and service providers,” Satria concluded.