Indonesia is accelerating the development of the Biak Spaceport in Papua as a national spaceport. This effort is part of Indonesia's plan to secure independent access to outer space. The target timeline is before 2040.
The project is scheduled to enter the land-clearing phase in 2026, when the regulatory framework will be completed and inter-agency coordination will be strengthened.
The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) stated that this acceleration is necessary to respond to the growing demand for satellites, launch systems, and supporting infrastructure amid the rapid expansion of the global space economy. The development of the Biak Spaceport is also projected not only to meet domestic needs, but to become part of the international launch network.
BRIN Head Arif Satria emphasized that strengthening national space capabilities is a long-term strategic mandate.
“If it can be before 2040, why not faster? The key is focus, time allocation, and productivity,” he said in an official broadcast quoted on Sunday (December 4, 2025).
International Cooperation in Focus
Biak Island was selected due to its geographical advantage of being located near the equator, which offers energy efficiency and cost savings for rocket launches into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This factor makes Biak technically competitive compared with many other launch sites around the world.
Indonesia has established cooperation with Russia through the Roscosmos State Space Corporation in developing the spaceport. The project involves Glavkosmos as the implementing entity, as well as collaboration between BRIN and PT Uniresources Petroleum Indonesia, which signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023.
The Biak Spaceport is planned to be managed on a commercial basis and made available for use by both public and private entities. However, despite the focus on infrastructure development, Arif stressed that the project’s success does not depend solely on physical assets.
“We must not be trapped in overlapping authorities. What is needed is an integrated system,” he said, underscoring the importance of governance, clear division of roles, and inter-agency coordination.
Biak Spaceport Aligned With National Development Plans
The development of the Biak Spaceport is supported by several key regulations, including Law No. 21 of 2013 on Space Activities, Presidential Regulation No. 45 of 2017 on the National Space Master Plan 2016–2040, and Government Regulation No. 7 of 2023 on the Control of Space Technology.
In addition, the Draft Government Regulation on Spaceport Operations has completed the harmonization process and is being prepared as the legal basis for project implementation.
BRIN Deputy for Development Policy, Anugerah Widiyanto, stated that studies on the development of a spaceport in Biak have been conducted since 1990 and have now been updated to reflect technological advancements, national needs, and current environmental conditions.
He also emphasized that the national space master plan needs to be extended to 2045 in order to align with Indonesia’s long-term development vision.
From an economic perspective, BRIN noted that the global space economy is estimated to contribute approximately five percent of global gross domestic product. The development of the Biak Spaceport is projected to generate significant multiplier effects, including job creation, regional economic growth, and the strengthening of Indonesia’s role in space diplomacy.
From a national planning standpoint, the project is aligned with Papua’s development priorities under the 2025–2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and the 2026–2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN).
The government considers strengthened regulation, technical readiness, and cross-sectoral integration to be key prerequisites before the Biak Spaceport can be designated as a National Strategic Project.
