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 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, build a network, and voice the vision relating to hot space topics of the Indonesian golden age.
Fundamentally, the Indonesian space sector began in 1963, marked by the establishment of the National Council for Aeronautics and Space (DEPANRI), and then continued with the creation of the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), in the same year. The Indonesian space sector was strengthened by the successful launch of Satellite Palapa A1, the first Indonesian communication satellite making Indonesia the first emerging country in the world to operate its domestic satellite system, and then send other series into outer space. Those satellite 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 canceled due to the unfortunate disaster of the Challenger shuttle mission, both things have been inspiring Indonesian people, mainly the young generation to learn, know, and take part in the space sector. Students, young professionals, 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 network and voice their vision relating to 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 the National Observatory which will be located in Kupang, Indonesia.
These activities are important assets for developing the Indonesian space sector these days and in the future generally.
Two Indonesian NPOCs are actively involved both in space awareness activities and space commercialization because they share the same vision: to inspire and improve the technological education skills of the younger generation, and to bring us to the advancement of space. Space business development is a potential strength that will improve the economy and welfare of Indonesia. On several occasions, NPOC introduces SGAC to the 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!
Indonesia
Established in 2021, Badan Riset dan lnovasi Nasional (BRIN) is a national integrated institution under the President in research, development, study, and implementation, as well as invention and innovation, nuclear energy administration, and integrated national space administration [1] [2]. As a restructurisation of Lembaga Penerbangan dan Antariksa Nasional or LAPAN (the former Indonesian space agency), BRIN includes the Research Organization Aeronautics and Space, or Organisasi Riset Penerbangan dan Antariksa (ORPA) to handle national space research, [3] based in Bogor, Jawa Barat. It includes placing the National Aeronautics and Space Council of the Republic of Indonesia, or in Bahasa: Dewan Penerbangan dan Antariksi Republik Indonesia (DEPANRI), under ORPA-BRIN [4]. ORPA-BRIN has five research centers to support the implementation of research activities, namely [5]:
- Aviation Technology Research Center;
- Satellite Technology Research Center;
- Rocket Technology Research Center;
- Space Research Center; and
- Remote Sensing Research Center.
Since LAPAN’s establishment in 1963, Indonesia has made numerous significant achievements focusing on people’s prosperity with space utilization. This orientation is mentioned in consideration Section A of the 2013 Indonesian Space Act [6]. The achievements include but are not restricted to:
- Indonesian astronaut candidates [7];
- Satellites launch for communication, earth observation, military, science, technology, education, and traffic monitoring [8] [9] [10] [11];
- National space laws [12];
- National Astronomical Observatories [13];
- Research [14] [15] [16] [17]; and
- Space Institutions and Communities [18].
Young Space Activities Overview in Indonesia
Space in Indonesia has become a trend among young Indonesians. 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 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, and ITU or in international competitions. Many awards are achieved by Indonesia’s young generation in the competition such as becoming the 2nd Winner of the APSCO Cansat Competition held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 22-23 September 2016 and 2nd and 3rd Winner of the APRSAF-Water Rocket Competition at Los Banos, Philippines, 12 -13 November 2016. In addition, one research project 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 an Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.
Indonesia actively takes part in SGAC activities by sending delegations to APSGW 1-3 and the Space Generation Congress. Hagorly M. Hutasuhut won a gold medal for the Hermann Oberth Award Undergraduate Student Paper. He presented technical papers on Space Sciences, Industry, and Technology at the International Astronautical Congress 2012, Naples, Italy, organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
In the event of the natural phenomenon of the total solar eclipse, dated March 9, 2016, Indonesia became the only country whose mainland crossed the path of the 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 total solar eclipse locations which involved many young people.
The Menembus Langit Campaign is also a parameter of interest for 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 distributed to universities in Indonesia. Moreover, as a national space agency, LAPAN attracted several universities to develop satellite research and development, such as ITB, IPB, Surya University, and Telkom University.
Regarding the space business activities in Indonesia, only a few have started to pursue the space business domains. In fact, following Working Group 2 in Asia Pacific Space Generation, the idea of a space business incubator in Indonesia has never been set up. However, a space-based startup has been accepted to provide the Grant Programme of Technology Business Incubation 2015 of the Ministry of Research and Technology (RISTEK-DIKTI) as the implementation of the triple helix concept in Indonesia. The two-year program has been started to support young entrepreneurs not only financially but also to train them in business knowledge. After finishing the program, the startups are prepared to 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 the ISAST series, which has been held by LAPAN since 2013, about the results of research and development in aerospace science and technology conducted in LAPAN and its partners in Indonesia.
- Water Rocket Competition: The water rocket competition is a prestige competition 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, science experiment enthusiasts 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 using star binoculars.
Country-Specific Events in 2023-2024
- Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)-29 (September 19-22, 2023) [19] [20]
- Studium Generale by Institut Teknologi Bandung (November 1, 2023) [21]
- Studium Generale by Program Studi Sains Atmosfer dan Keplanetan
- Jurusan Sains, Institut Teknologi Sumatera (May 13, 2024) [22]
- Diplomacy Workshop by NASPCI, SAIAC, and BRIN (April 25, 2024) [23]
- The 10th International Seminar on Aerospace Science and Technology (ISAST 2024) by BRIN, Institut Teknologi Bandung, and Perhimpunan Periset Indonesia Jawa Barat (September 17, 2024) [24]
- 2024 IEEE International Conference on Aerospace Electronics and Remote Sensing Technology (ICARES 2024) by IEEE, BRIN, and AESS (November 8-9, 2024) [25].
- Et cetera.
Interesting Web Links for the Young Generation in Indonesia
Groups, People, Institutions
- ORPA-BRIN (national institution) [26]
- Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (operator and company) [27]
- Farah Law School (space law) [28]
- National Air And Space Power Center of Indonesia (non-profit, non-partisan, and independent research) [29]
- Indonesian Nano-Satellite Platform Initiative for Research & Education (INSPIRE) (non-profit initiative project) [30]
- Planetarium & Observatorium Jakarta (public) [31]
- Observatorium Bosscha, Institut Teknologi Bandung [32]
- Pusat Peragaan Ilmu Pengetahuan dan Teknologi, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah [33]
- Et cetera.
Studies
