The Satria satellite (Satelit Republik Indonesia) of the Indonesian Government will be launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States of America on June 17, 2023. The launch is part of a strategy to realize the government’s vision to make Indonesia’s the fifth country with the largest Gross Domestic Product by 2025.
As a multifunctional communications satellite for internet connections and other telecommunications networks costing about IDR 20.7 trillion. Created by Thales Alenia Space, a French company focusing on spacecrafts, and developed by a number of Indonesian consortium including PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, PT Nusantara Satelit Sejahtera, PT Pintar Nusantara Sejahtera, and PT Dian Semesta Sentosa. The spacecraft will also be launched using a Falcon 9 rocket created by SpaceX from the United States.
Digitization and internet related purpose of Satria
The purpose of the satellite is to improve the quality of public internet connections, which are lacking in border areas and outer islands. The satellite is expected to help the digitization program for educational services, healthcare facilities, defense and security administrations, and regional government operations.
The spacecraft will also complement the optical cable network in Palapa Ring which was developed by the government. The craft is equipped with High Throughput Satellite (HTS) technology, Ka-band, and a capacity of 150 gigabytes per second reaching 150,000 public services, 90,000 schools, 47,000 regional administration offices, 3,700 health centers, 3,900 police and military posts or offices.
“Mastery of digital technology is one of the key factors in realizing this vision,” said Mahfud Md, the acting Minister of Communications and Informatics on June 7, 2023.
Mira Tayyiba, the Secretary General of the Ministry The Satria project is also part of the national strategic projects (PSN), which will fill out orbital slots at 106 degrees East longitude and be operational in Q4 2023.
In support of the satellite above, the government has prepared several supporting facilities on 11 locations such as Cikarang in West Java, Batam in Riau Islands, Banjarmasin in West Kalimantan, Manokwari in Timika, and Jayapura in Papua.
Considered a threat
Previously, the satellite was deemed as a threat by a number of Internet Service Provider (ISP) companies that provide internet to the public.
However, some sources say the government has struck a deal with ISPs, which will focus on public services and not commercial purposes.
On the other hand, the government allows satellites rented by ISPs to access slots unused by Satria, allowing more efficient operations.
