Indonesia is accelerating the development of a national spaceport on Biak Island, Papua, as part of efforts to strengthen space technology independence, according to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
BRIN Head Arif Satria said Indonesia could achieve space technology independence earlier than the current 2040 target if all stakeholders remain focused and productive.
“We can’t do things half-heartedly. If it can be done before 2040, why not sooner? The key is focus, time allocation, and productivity,” Arif said, as quoted on BRIN’s official website on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Arif made the statement during a working visit to the M. Ibnoe Subroto Science Zone in Rancabungur on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. The visit focused on the readiness of space research facilities, preparations for the A4 Satellite launch, and the development of a spaceport as a foundation for national technological sovereignty.
He said success in space development depends not only on infrastructure but also on effective governance.
“No country has succeeded in space by doing half-hearted work. Success is a function of managing time,” Arif said.
Legal Framework and Strategic Location in Papua
Acting Deputy for Development Policy at BRIN, Anugerah Widiyanto, said the spaceport project is supported by a strong legal framework.
These include Law Number 21 of 2013 on Space, Presidential Regulation Number 45 of 2017 on the 2016–2040 Space Management Master Plan, and Government Regulation Number 7 of 2023 on the Mastery of Space Technology.
“The Draft Government Regulation concerning Spaceport Management has completed the harmonisation process and is ready to serve as the operational basis for development,” Anugerah said at the National Spaceport Coordination Meeting in Jakarta on December 19, as reported on BRIN’s website.
“Furthermore, the space master plan needs to be updated by 2045 to align with the national development vision,” he added.
Anugerah said studies on the Biak Spaceport have been conducted since 1990 and now need updating to reflect technological developments, national needs, and environmental conditions.
Biak Island is considered strategic because of its proximity to the equator, which allows more energy-efficient rocket launches. BRIN said the facility is intended to support domestic needs and may also serve international cooperation in the future.
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Governance and Research Targets
Arif stressed that accelerating space development requires clear governance and coordination.
“We must not fall into overlapping authority. What is needed is an integrated system,” he said.
He added that discussions on strengthening national space functions are ongoing with the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform and other relevant institutions. He said functional effectiveness is more important than organisational structure.
Rika Andiarti, Principal Engineer at the BRIN Rocket Technology Research Centre, said the Biak spaceport is part of the 2017–2040 National Space Master Plan (Renduk).
“Renduk is evaluated every five years. In the current context, a number of targets and strategies need to be redefined to be more adaptive and realistic,” she said.
She added that Indonesia aims to be able to launch satellites and rockets independently from its own territory by 2040, a target BRIN believes could be accelerated.
Russian Support
Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Tolchenov said Russia is ready to support Indonesia’s space ambitions. He made the statement in response to Indonesia’s plan to develop a spaceport on Biak Island.
Tolchenov said Moscow is prepared to provide technical assistance if Indonesia moves forward with plans to build a national space station. He noted that cooperation already exists between BRIN and the Russian Aeronautics and Space Agency, Roscosmos.
“Regarding plans for a space station or rocket launches on Biak or other islands, this will of course be decided by Indonesia. Russia is ready to provide the technology for rocket launches, both technically and otherwise,” Tolchenov said at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, April 28, 2025.
