Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesia is collaborating with Russia’s Roscosmos State Space Corporation to advance plans for its first spaceport, to be built in Biak, Papua. 

“We hope to move forward with this cooperation and complete the spaceport as soon as possible,” said Laksana Tri Handoko, the Head of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), after a meeting on Monday (2/12/2024).

BRIN’s Head of Aeronautics and Space Research, Robertus Heru Triharjanto, explained that Biak was chosen due to its logistical advantages. The spaceport will be managed commercially and available for use by various private and public entities.

The project involves BRIN, Roscosmos, PT. Uniresources Petroleum Indonesia (URPI), and Russia’s Glavkosmos. 

The two countries will sign agreements to secure technology and oversee space launches in Indonesia.

Glavkosmos will handle the spaceport’s implementation, while BRIN and PT URPI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 to move the project forward.

Alexander Bloshenko of Roscosmos highlighted Biak’s strategic location near the equator, which is ideal for satellite launches. 

(mg/inp/pr/nm)