Indonesia considering Help from India, Japan to Build Satellite Launch Station

The Indonesian National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) is considering help from space-faring nations such as India and Japan to build its first satellite launching station and kick-start its space program.

Head of LAPAN Thomas Djamaluddin said detailed planning of satellite launch station development is being done, including considering cooperation with other countries in the process as the required fund is very big, complicated and require more experienced human resources, Antara News said Sunday quoting a statement from LAPAN.

Several countries such as China and South Korea have expressed interest in joining to build a space launch station in Indonesia. However, in addition to these two countries Indonesia will also explore other countries including Japan and India first.

If other countries are involved, Indonesia can quickly have its own satellite launch station. In addition, with the cooperation, the station will be more efficiently utilized and will not only wait for programs from Indonesia but also from partner countries, Djamaluddin said.

The LAPAN statement said that a seminar will be held to discuss "Policies and Regulations on Aviation and Space Toward National Independence" on October 25, 2017, in Jakarta.

The seminar will discuss not only the plan to build a satellite launch station, but also on the contribution of space to the economic sector, satellite and rocket development, and aviation technology in Indonesia.