Southeast Asia’s satellite communication journey reflects the region’s steady commitment to advancing space and digital technology. Indonesia led the way in 1976 with the launch of Palapa A1, becoming not only the first ASEAN country but also one of the earliest developing nations to operate its own communication satellite. This milestone was followed by the Philippines in 1987 with Agila-1 and Thailand in 1993 with the deployment of Thaicom-1, marking the early expansion of satellite infrastructure in the region.
Momentum continued through the 1990s as more ASEAN countries entered the space sector. Malaysia launched MEASAT-1 in 1996, strengthening its national broadcasting and telecommunications capabilities, while Singapore followed in 1998 with ST-1. The 2000s saw further progress, with Vietnam launching Vinasat-1 in 2008 to enhance nationwide connectivity, and Laos joining the list in 2015 through the successful deployment of LaoSat-1.
More recently, Myanmar became the latest ASEAN nation to operate a communication satellite with the launch of MyanmarSat-2 in 2019. Cambodia, meanwhile, has yet to officially launch its first satellite, although plans for the Techno-1 project are underway. Taken together, this timeline illustrates how ASEAN countries have gradually embraced satellite technology to support communication, broadcasting, and connectivity, underscoring the region’s growing role in space innovation and technological development.
