Indonesia is taking a major leap into the space race. The Indonesian government is exploring a cooperation with Russia to build a rocket launch facility, or spaceport, in Biak, Papua, as a strategic step toward achieving independence in space technology. The move signals a new chapter in Indonesia's ambitions to become a serious player in the global aerospace sector.
Arif Satria, Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), stated that this cooperation is a primary focus in strengthening the national space sector, including the development of a space-based economic ecosystem.
He emphasized that the Biak spaceport is part of Indonesia's long-term strategy to independently launch its own satellites while reinforcing the country's foothold in high-technology industries.
During his visit to Russia, Arif met with Roscosmos leadership, including Director General Dmitry Bakanov, to discuss technical cooperation frameworks and the development of launch facilities. Discussions were also held with Glavkosmos regarding preparations for building a cosmodrome based on Russian technology in Indonesia.
Russia was selected as a strategic partner due to its extensive experience and high capability in global space technology. The partnership is expected to accelerate technology transfer and strengthen national capacity.
Alongside infrastructure development, Indonesia is also preparing to launch a new generation of microsatellites by the end of 2026, with higher-resolution imaging capability to support environmental monitoring, food security, and disaster mitigation.
The construction of the spaceport in Biak is targeted to make Indonesia the first country in Southeast Asia to possess its own rocket launch facility, while opening new economic opportunities in the space sector as a frontier for future growth.
