According to Johnny G. Plate, Minister of Communications and Informatics, three Indonesian satellites would be launched into orbit by next year using the Falcon-6 rocket operated by an aerospace manufacturer in the United States
“First, in May, Boeing’s Hot Backup Satellite. Second, it will be used to deliver the SATRIA-1 rocket in June or July. Third, to deliver the Telkom-Sat Satellite whose schedule is being prepared,” says Minister Johnny.
He added that the Falcon-6 rocket is a satellite that has been used and is not a one-time launch. Instead, the Falcon-6 rocket is used to transport the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) into orbit and back to earth. The Minister hopes that the launch process will run smoothly and the placement of the satellite orbits according to the scheduled time.
The HBS and SATRIA satellites could operate in the fourth quarter of 2023. After being launched, in the first phase, the HBS will be used to serve 20,000 points of public service facilities throughout Indonesia.
For the SATRIA-1 satellite, the name is PSN-N3 which will carry out operations and maintenance. Meanwhile, the Boeing satellite, which is called PSN-N5, will also be operated and maintained by PSN as a private satellite.
With the launch of the satellite, Indonesia will have a satellite capacity of 2 X 150 Gbps. However, Indonesia will use a total of 230 Gbps. The 150 Gbps SATRIA-1 is used by all of Indonesia, while the 150 Gbps Hot Backup Boeing, 80 Gbps is used for Indonesia.
The remaining 70 Gbps will be used by the Philippines and Malaysia due to Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Minister explained that the nation should measure the commercial feasibility and there are commercial and financial considerations as well.
The Minister of Communication and Information stated that satellite transportation usually uses large-bodied cargo aircraft. Hence, with the limitations of the carrier, according to Minister Johnny, an alternative will soon be sought.
The possibility for SATRIA to use sea transportation routes from France using ships brought to Florida or across the Atlantic. It takes about two weeks of transportation, as well as the Boeing (Hot Backup) satellite that will use land transportation from its production site in Pasadena to Florida, it takes 9 to 10 days of road trips with special containers.
Minister Johnny is optimistic that the logistics and transportation problems will only slightly affect the commercial operation date.
Meanwhile, in addition to monitoring developments in the manufacture of satellites, Minister Johnny is preparing the construction of an earth satellite that is in accordance with the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) by using the Hot Backup Satellite (HBS) technology.
Minister Johnny stated that an earth station needs to be built so that there is a signal receiver from space. According to him, the government hopes that the construction of the earth station that is being carried out can run well.
He added that to support the operations of the two satellites, the government has also started to build 11 earth stations or gateways in Indonesia. Later it will be added to 18 gateways for two satellites.
The construction of 11 earth stations to connect space bridges shows the government’s seriousness in pursuing the target of the SATRIA-1 Satellite Project.
The Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) of the Komifo Ministry built gateways in these 11 locations with the consideration of equitable access and acceleration of digital transformation.