PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) continues to be committed to supporting the acceleration of national satellite independence. This time, PSN supports the development of nano satellite technology that is efficient in manufacturing and launching, and has wide applications. This nano satellite measures 10 x 10 x 11.35 cm and weighs 1 – 1.3 Kg, which is planned to orbit in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and operate at VHF frequencies.

PSN is proud that the four young engineers involved in the development of this nano satellite work at PSN, so that together they can contribute to Indonesia with the development of the nano satellite they are developing. This project also represents PSN’s vision, ideas, and ambitions in encouraging Indonesia to continue to transform towards more advanced technology.

The idea and project for developing this nano satellite were initiated by Surya University which is supported by multi-party collaboration between the Young Engineer Team with PT. Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, the Indonesian Radio Amateur Organization (ORARI), PT. Pudak Scientific, and fully supported by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space’s Satellite Technology Center (Pusteksat LAPAN), and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). The main idea of ​​this project is aimed at building the capabilities of Indonesia’s young generation in mastering space technology, especially satellites.

The work on this nano satellite project consists of various stages of work consisting of the design, simulation, prototyping, assembly, and testing stages until the launch stage. In February 2018, the Surya Satellite-1 Team participated in the KiboCUBE program competition initiated by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The competition, which is open to nano satellite teams worldwide, has a mission to increase capacity in the field of space science and technology, especially developing countries. In August 2018, the Surya Satellite-1 Team was announced as the winner of this competition so that its satellite can be launched from the International Space Station (ISS) for free.

The Nano Satellite made by the nation’s children, Surya Satellite-1, which is also the first nano satellite in Indonesia, has been successfully launched from NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida, United States using a Falcon 9 rocket with SpaceX’s Dragon cargo on Sunday, November 27, 2022 in the 26th Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-26).

The successful launch of SS-1 into space at 02.20 WIB, was followed by the orbit raising process before entering the docking process at the International Space Station (ISS) which was successfully carried out at 19.30 WIB.

PSN will continue to encourage the development of domestic satellites so that the Indonesian space industry can grow, including collaborating with government agencies, the private sector and academics. It is hoped that this nano satellite will facilitate inclusive telecommunications access in all regions in Indonesia which so far still have limitations in terms of infrastructure, and be able to encourage more advanced space technology innovation in Indonesia, especially in the satellite sector to realize national satellite independence.

https://orari.or.id/surya-satellite-1-siap-mengorbit/
https://www.brin.go.id/news/101393/surya-satellite-1-siap-mengorbit
https://www.borneonews.co.id/berita/283840-satelit-nano-pertama-indonesia-segera-meluncur-ke-iss-via-spacex

Source: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/11/crs-26-launch/