SGAC Indonesia

National Points of Contact
Indonesia

This page describes the SGAC Indonesia. You’ll find information regarding space activities of Indonesian Youth on this page specifically. This SGAC page basically is intended to inspire the Indonesian youth to be more enthusiastic and interested in space activities. Moreover, generally it is to share, strengthen and broaden knowledge, to build a network and to voice the vision relating hot space topics of the Indonesian golden age.
Fundamentally, Indonesian space sector has begun since 1963, marked by establishing the National Council for Aeronautic and Space (DEPANRI), and then continued by creating National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), in the same year. The Indonesian space sector was strengthened by the successful launching of Satellite Palapa A1, the first Indonesian communication satellite making Indonesia to be as the first emerging country in the world which operates its own domestic satellite system, and then sent other series into outer space. Those satellites programs also encouraged the Indonesian human spaceflight program in 1985 by selecting Dr. Pratiwi Sudarmono to fly on STS-61H, the planned shuttle mission for the deployment of commercial communication satellites.
Although the human spaceflight program finally was cancelled due to the unfortunate disaster of the Challenger shuttle mission, both things have been inspiring Indonesian people, mainly young generation to learn, know and to take part in the space sector. Students, young professional and young researchers turn on some space activities and forums, and also attend several conferences/seminars in order not only to share, strengthen and broaden knowledge but also to build a networking and to voice their vision relating hot space topics. Studying in universities about space-related subjects is also another thing that those groups do to reach their passion. Some facilities that support research and development in the space field are under construction. One of them is National Observatory that will be located in Kupang, Indonesia.

All of activities in fact are important assets for developing Indonesian space sector these days and in the future generally.

Two Indonesian NPOCs actively involve both in space awareness activities and space commercialization because they share same vision: to inspire and improve the technological education skills for the younger generation, to bring us to the advancement of space. Space bussiness development is a potential strength that will improve the economy and welfare of the nation of Indonesia. On several occasions, NPOC introduce SGAC to young generation. One of them on the Jakarta Model United Nations event held at Atmajaya University, Jakarta, 25 July 2015. Therefore, feel free to connect with us!

Young Space Activities Overview in Indonesia

Space in Indonesia has become a trend among young Indonesia. This is marked by the beginning of the rampant activities that carried out activities and involved the younger generation. The Indonesian rocket competition, better known as KOMURINDO, was conducted in 2007, followed by other competitions such as the Atmospheric Balloon Competition, Water Rocket Competition for the kindergarten children, and Space Debate organized by LAPAN.
The young generation of Indonesia is also actively involved in several international events, either in seminars/conferences such as IAC, APRSAF, APSCO, ITU or in international competitions. Many awards are achieved by Indonesia’s young generation in the competition such as becoming the 2nd Winner of APSCO Cansat Competition held in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia, 22-23 September 2016, 2nd and 3rd Winner of APRSAF-Water Rocket Competition at Los Banos, Philipine, 12 -13 November 2016. In addition, one research by IT Del’s high school students namely ‘Micro-Aerobic Fermentation In Space With Micro Gravity’ successfully escaped on the ISS project. Their research result, was launched into space on March 23, 2016 , Using Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.

Indonesia actively takes part in SGAC activities by sending the delegations to APSGW 1-3 and Space Generation Congress. Hagorly M. Hutasuhut won gold medal for Hermann Oberth Award Undergraduate Student Paper. He presented technical papers on Space Sciences, Industry and Technology in International Astronautical Congress 2012, Naples, Italy, organized by International Astronautical Federation (IAF).

In the event of natural phenomena of total solar eclipse, dated March 9, 2016, Indonesia became the only country whose mainland most crossed the path of total solar eclipse. It was used to organize activities such as teaching children to make eyeglasses or sun binoculars, educating local students about a total solar eclipse, solar observation with LAPAN researchers, and the Amateur Astronomy Communities in 9 of total solar eclipse location which involved many young people.

Menembus Langit Campaign is also a parameter of interest of Indonesia’s young generation. On this expedition, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Ai-X1 is flown by a weather balloon into the stratosphere and will return to the starting point automatically. The Ai-X1 UAV is equipped with a meteorological sensor to collect atmospheric data. Meteorological data and aviation research reports will be processed and will be distributed to Universities in Indonesia. Moreover, as a national space agency, LAPAN also attracted several universities to develop satellite research and development, such as ITB, IPB, Surya University, Telkom University.

Regarding the space business activities in Indonesia, only few have started to pursue the space business domains. In fact, following Working Group 2 in Asia Pacific Space Generation, the idea of space business incubator in Indonesia has never been setup. However, a space-based startup has been accepted to provide the Grant Programme of Technology Business Incubation 2015 of Ministry of Research and Technology (RISTEK-DIKTI) as the implementation of triple helix concept in Indonesia. The two-year program has been started to support young entrepreneurs not only financially but also train in business knowledge. After finishing the program, the startups are prepared to ready enter the market.

Country-Specific Events in 2017

August 21-24: Komurindo and Kombat, at LAPAN Facilities in Pameungpeuk – The implementation of the Indonesian Rocket and Payload Rocket Competition (Komurindo) and the Atmospheric Balloon Payload Competition (Kombat) is the annual national competition for rocket and rocket-level EDF rocket designs organized since 2009.

September 27-29: International Seminar Aerospace and Science Technology 2017 / V, North Sumatra – The international seminar is the continuation of ISAST series, which has been held by LAPAN since 2013, about the results of research and development the aerospace science and technology conducted in LAPAN and its partners in Indonesia.

Water Rocket Competition: Water rocket competition is a Prestigious competition level in Jakarta and its neighborhood areas, for Junior High School students aged 13-16 years. There is also a water rocket workshop. This activity is intended for students, for science experiments enthusiast of Primary-Senior High School students, for instance Astronomy field.

October: The Space Science Festival, for kindergarten pupils to high school students, is organized by LAPAN. This event will be held in LAPAN Bandung in October 2017.

Star Party is routinely performed by some Indonesian amateur astronomy societies. This activity will be conducted for children, to recognize and observe stars at night by using star binoculars.

Interesting Web Links for the Young Generation in Indonesia

Groups, People, Institutions

Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN)
Indonesian Nano-Satellite Platform Initiative for Research & Education (INSPIRE)
Satelit ITB
Planetarium & Observatorium Jakarta
Bosscha Obeservatory –ITB
Pusat Peragaan IPTEK-TMII
Komurindo-Kombat
Insitek World

Studies

Aeronautics and Astronautics Studies-ITB
Program Studi Teknik Telekomunikasi
ITB satellite research activities
Lab Telkom University
Universitas Telkom

Several other universities offer programs in aerospace engineering or aeronautics