By Sarah Cope | 2026-01-27

Indonesia's space program is seeing a revival, with plans to expand space research, build a national spaceport and develop indigenous satellite capabilities gaining traction under President Prabowo Subianto.

The country's renewed focus on space follows a roughly two-decade lull, during which space-related research and progress stalled amid political changes, institutional restructuring and budget cuts.

Since taking office in October 2024, Subianto has repeatedly elevated space as a priority, noting its necessity for national defense.

Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has been tasked with advancing Subianto’s ambitious agenda, a mandate it is undertaking via collaboration with local universities and international partners.

BRIN chairman Arif Satria has stressed the importance of expanding space research and development to reduce reliance on other countries for satellite production and launches.

In a November 27 speech, he conveyed the grand vision for the development of a national spaceport, noting that the project has now entered a critical stage.

The spaceport’s proposed equatorial location, on Biak island, would enable launches to leverage the natural speed of the Earth’s rotation and reduce rocket fuel requirements.

Satria noted that designating the spaceport as a National Strategic Project would ensure structured funding and signal its importance to Indonesia’s agenda.

BRIN is currently developing the Nusantara Earth Observation-1 (NEO-1) satellite, which is expected to launch in the next year. A launch provider has yet to be named.

In September, the Nusantara Lima (N5) satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the United States.

The satellite, jointly developed with Boeing, is capable of providing internet access throughout Indonesia -- a vast archipelago between the Indian and Pacific oceans that is the world's fourth most populous nation.

Internet access also will extend to Malaysia and the Philippines.

In June, Indonesia launched its communications nanosatellite RIDU-SAT 1, built as a collaboration between the ​​Indonesian Defense University and the Berlin Nanosatellite Alliance.

While N5 has broad applications, RIDU-SAT 1 serves more educational purposes.

Space technology in Southeast Asia

Indonesia’s space policy is indicative of a broader regional trend, as ASEAN members increasingly pursue their own space technology and prioritize autonomy in space manufacturing and launch capabilities.

Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are carrying out feasibility studies for a spaceport in their respective countries, University World News reported November 25.

The Philippines has proposed a budget of $400 million to construct a spaceport after conducting its feasibility study.

As ASEAN members advance their space programs, it is becoming increasingly clear how critical space is to the region’s security architecture.

And with a greater concentration on space, ASEAN states are engaging with international governance frameworks.

Indonesia has ratified four of the five core United Nations space treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967, which serves as the centerpiece of global space governance.

In October, Malaysia officially joined OST, publicly dedicating itself to the peaceful use and exploration of space. The Philippines is in the process of ratifying OST as well as the Liability Convention and Rescue Agreement.

Enhanced satellite technology enables better monitoring and more comprehensive telecommunications coverage, enabling nations to engage with their national security differently.

Natural disasters and weather patterns can be monitored and tracked, while data infrastructure and connectivity harden against external threats.

Space-based surveillance assets also ensure that potential hostile or illegal maritime activities in the region -- among them China's illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing -- can be more effectively monitored.