Jakarta – PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, Indonesia’s first private satellite company, successfully launched the Nusantara Lima Satellite (SNL) into orbit aboard a Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States, on Thursday (September 11) local time, after three launch delays due to unfavorable weather. SNL is a 160 Gigabit per Second (Gbps) satellite, the largest in Asia, capable of providing internet access throughout the Indonesian archipelago, including the Philippines and Malaysia.

The SNL launch was witnessed by Wayan Toni Supriyanto, S.T., M.M., Director General of Postal and Informatics at the Ministry of Communication and Digital, as well as all partners and stakeholders participating in the project. This satellite will play a crucial role in strengthening national capacity for the domestic market, equitable internet access, developing telecommunications technology, strengthening space-based human resources, disaster mitigation, environmental monitoring, and the defense and security sector.

PSN President Director Adi Rahman Adiwoso stated that the successful launch of the SNL further strengthens Indonesia’s capabilities and credibility as a key player in the global space industry. This success demonstrates Indonesia’s ability to create internet-based service infrastructure and provides momentum for developing a national space industry roadmap. This will accelerate Indonesia’s goal of becoming a sovereign nation capable of independently managing space.

“We express our gratitude for the hard work and strong collaboration between PSN, Boeing Satellite System International Inc., and SpaceX, as well as the strong support from the Indonesian government, which enabled the SNL launch to proceed smoothly and as planned. In the spirit of celebrating 80 years of independence, we hope that the SNL will have a significant impact on various aspects of life and support the Indonesian government in realizing space sovereignty,” Adi Rahman said in an official statement.

The SNL launch was scheduled for Monday (September 8th) local time. However, in accordance with standard operating procedures, the launch had to be postponed due to non-technical factors, including rain and lightning. The SNL launch was rescheduled for Tuesday (September 9th), but the weather remained unfavorable, leading to a second postponement. On the third day, the rocket was declared unable to launch due to unfavorable weather and minor technical issues with the rocket. The fourth SNL launch attempt was conducted on Thursday (September 11).

Adi Rahman explained that launch delays are common in space missions, as many important factors must be considered during the launch process. “The decision to postpone is based on SpaceX’s evaluation results. PSN fully supports SpaceX’s decision to ensure the safety of all systems and the success of the SNL launch mission. Overall, the Nusantara Lima Satellite is in prime condition and on track to reach its orbit,” said Adi Rahman.

SNL is a Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) satellite, enabling greater bandwidth capacity to provide broadband services to all corners of Indonesia and ASEAN countries, namely the Philippines and Malaysia. The 7.8-ton satellite is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system using Xenon-Ion (XIPS) chemical and electronic propulsion, which is ten times more efficient than conventional satellites, and 101 spot beams operating at the Ka-band frequency.

To support the operation of Asia’s largest-capacity satellite, PSN is collaborating with Hughes Network System to build eight earth stations across several cities, including Banda Aceh, Bengkulu, Cikarang, Gresik, Banjarmasin, Tarakan, Kupang, and Makassar. Satrio Adiwicaksono, Project Director of Satelit Nusantara Lima and PSN Technology Director, added that the distribution of earth stations across Western, Central, and Eastern Indonesia allows SNL services to reach the Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost (3T) regions that have traditionally struggled to access the internet.

“PSN believes that easy access to the best internet services is a right for all Indonesian citizens amidst the current rapid digital transformation. We hope that the presence of PSN services can be a catalyst in improving the quality of life for the community and contribute to supporting the progress and prosperity of the Indonesian nation,” said Satrio.

SNL will spend four to five months in space, eventually occupying an orbital slot at 113 degrees East Longitude. After reaching orbit, PSN will conduct three weeks of In-Orbit Testing to ensure all SNL equipment is functioning normally after launch. The final stage, PSN will conduct an In-Orbit Acceptance Review (IOAR) to ensure that SNL and other supporting infrastructure (ground segment), such as eight ground stations and other communication networks, have been integrated, tested, and are functioning properly.

SNL Services Reach ASEAN

With its large capacity, SNL can also provide services to the Philippines and Malaysia. Adi Rahman stated that PSN established a partnership with satellite service company We Are IT Philippines Inc. in late 2022. PSN will help provide internet connections in remote areas of the Philippines with a capacity of 13.5 Gbps. Providing services to ASEAN will also strengthen the company’s and the country’s reputation internationally.

“The expansion of PSN services to ASEAN countries confirms the capabilities of Indonesian companies in satellite and space technology on the global stage. We will continue to innovate our products and services to maximize the potential of other markets in the future, while simultaneously pursuing our mission of strengthening a sovereign and independent national space industry,” Adi Rahman concluded.