Indonesia , Jan 09, 2025
Indonesia is preparing to host the first-ever Southeast Asia Space Summit in Jakarta this year, signaling the nation’s growing ambition to become a regional leader in satellite technology and space cooperation. The event, backed by ASEAN and supported by space agencies in Japan and South Korea, marks a pivotal moment for space diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
The summit will bring together officials from ASEAN nations, private aerospace firms, and academic researchers to discuss regional satellite development, space-based climate monitoring, and potential joint missions. Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) says the summit aims to “foster Southeast Asia’s collaborative role in the global space race.”
Indonesia has steadily ramped up its own capabilities. It launched the SATRIA-1 communications satellite in 2023 and plans additional missions focusing on agriculture and disaster monitoring. “We want to lead in space for development, not just prestige,” said Rizal Pranowo, a senior official at BRIN.
The initiative comes as Southeast Asia faces growing digital infrastructure demands, climate threats, and geopolitical challenges. Satellite technology is increasingly seen as a strategic asset—not just for national defense, but for food security, weather forecasting, and internet connectivity in rural regions.
The upcoming summit is expected to result in the creation of a Southeast Asian Space Collaboration Framework, allowing member states to pool resources for satellite manufacturing, launch operations, and data sharing.
Experts say the summit positions Indonesia as a natural convening power. “Indonesia is large, democratic, and technologically capable—this is its chance to lead in a new domain,” said Dr. Emily Tan, a regional analyst at the Asia-Pacific Policy Centre.
The summit may also help balance Chinese space influence in the region, as ASEAN seeks more diversified partnerships with India, Japan, and Western nations.
With a growing youth-led tech sector and expanding satellite infrastructure, Indonesia is betting on space as a pillar of its national innovation strategy—and perhaps Southeast Asia’s collective future.
