Indonesia is preparing for its own space launches and is counting on Russia's help. A national cosmodrome may appear on the equatorial island of Biak, which will allow the republic to claim independent access to space. Moscow has also offered to help with the training of the first Indonesian astronaut. The prospects of the project and the country's space program are discussed in the material from "Pervy Tekhnichesky".

Where in Indonesia do they want to locate the cosmodrome

The infrastructure could appear on Biak Island in the Indonesian province of Papua. In September, it was reported, citing the administration of the President of Indonesia, that Russia and Indonesia are working to advance this project.

In 2026, Indonesian authorities intensified work on the first national cosmodrome. In May, the government approved the regulatory framework for cosmodrome activities, and in June, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the authorities of Papua and Biak Numfor Regency signed a memorandum on the planning and development of the site.

Russian Ambassador Sergey Tolchenov told ANTARA agency that the Indonesian side invited Roscosmos to discuss possible cooperation. The diplomat also denied rumors that the facility could become a Russian military base. According to the ambassador, the cosmodrome will be fully owned by Indonesia.

Why it is convenient to launch space rockets from Biak

Biak Island in the Indonesian province of Papua lies approximately one degree south of the equator. This is one of the most advantageous places on the planet for space launches. The Earth rotates fastest at the equator — the linear velocity here reaches approximately 465 meters per second. A rocket launching eastward receives this speed for free and spends less fuel to reach orbit.

The advantage is especially noticeable when launching satellites into geostationary orbit or low equatorial orbits. According to various estimates, fuel savings can reach 15%, and payload can increase by about a quarter compared to sites at higher latitudes.

To the east of Biak lies the open Pacific Ocean. Rocket stages and possible debris can be directed into the sea without flying over densely populated areas.

Does Indonesia have experience in space

Indonesia's space history began in 1976 with the launch of the Palapa A1 communications satellite. At that time, the republic became the first developing country and the third in the world after the USA and Canada to acquire its own satellite communication system. The name "Palapa" refers to the oath of the medieval ruler Gajah Mada to unite the archipelago.

Over the subsequent decades, Indonesia launched a whole series of spacecraft into geostationary orbit — from subsequent generations of Palapa to modern Telkom, Satria, and Merah Putih. They provide television, communication, and internet throughout the archipelago, but all launches so far have been carried out from foreign cosmodromes.

Indonesia has had a rocket program since the 1960s. The first sounding rocket, Kartika I, was launched back in 1964. Later, a series of experimental RX rockets appeared, whose tests are conducted at the station in Pameungpeuk on Java. The goal has long been set — to create an orbital launch vehicle capable of launching satellites independently, but for now, it is limited to suborbital flights and ground tests.