Indonesian to Have First Spaceport in 23 Years

The Indonesian National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) is eyeing the possibility of cooperation with countries like India or Japan to build its first spaceport and kick-start its space program. 

Indonesia would also talk with other countries with vast experience in aeronautics  to support the project.  Morotai in North Maluku and Biak in Papua province are the strongest candidates as locations for the project given their proximity to the Pacific Ocean, according to LAPAN. 

LAPAN chairman Thomas Djamaluddin claimed that China was the only country that had shown an interest in supporting the project. But he stopped short and said "Indonesia would reach out to all [countries]."

The agency has yet to estimate the timeline of the project or estimated cost. But it has set a target of Indonesia having its own satellite-launch station before 2040.  In 2012, then Russian ambassador to Indonesia Alexander A. Ivanov said Moscow had a keen interest in the idea of developing a satellite-launch station in Biak. 

LAPAN currently operates a rocket-launch station in Garut, West Java, which has been active since 1965. 

Source : The Jakarta Post