Indonesian comms satellite safely launched
June 19, 2023
SpaceX successfully launched a powerful and much-needed Indonesian communications satellite on June 18th. The new craft, SATRIA, is the linchpin in a $550 million project to provide high-speed internet access to schools, medical centres and thousands of public and government facilities across the island nation.
A Falcon 9 rocket, using a booster stage that was being flown for the 12th time, lifted the satellite into its geostationary transfer orbit. The launch was from Cape Canaveral.
Built by Thales Alenia Space, the satellite will use onboard ion thrusters to circularise its orbit at an altitude of 22,300 miles above the equator at 126 degrees east longitude.
SATRIA is a public-private project between the government of Indonesia and a consortium led by satellite operator PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, or PSN.
With a throughput of 150 gigabytes per second, SATRIA will connect some 94,000 schools, nearly 50,000 village offices, other government facilities and thousands of hospitals and medical facilities across the vast archipelago, the fourth most populous country in the world.
“With a capacity of 150 Gbps, SATRIA can provide more than three times the combined national capacities that are currently in use,” Adi Rahman Adiwoso, CEO of PSN stated. “We are confident that SATRIA can be the solution to the digital gap that still exists in Indonesia.”
The launch began SpaceX’s 240th mission and the 148th from the launchpad at Space Launch Complex 40. SpaceX has launched 40 missions this year.