Nusantara Five Satellite Successfully Achieved Orbit, Strengthen National Satellite Infrastructure

JAKARTA - The Nusantara Five Satellite (SNL/N5 Satellite) has officially arrived at the geostationary orbit at 113° East Longitude, right above the island of Borneo, at an altitude of about 35,786 kilometers above the earth's surface on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

This success marks the completion of the Electric Orbit Raising (EOR) phase, which is the phase of the satellite's journey to the target orbit using an electric propulsion system that gradually changes the elliptical orbit to a circular orbit, since the satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States, using the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on September 12, 2025.

President Director of PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), Adi Rahman Adiwoso, said that the arrival of N5 Satellite in orbit is a strategic achievement and an important milestone in strengthening the national satellite infrastructure and realizing Indonesian space sovereignty. This satellite will play a role in leveling internet access in Indonesia. Hopefully, this affordable internet access will increase the economy, improve public services, health, environment, defense and security.

"We are grateful that SNL has successfully arrived at the 113° East longitude orbit according to plan. The success of the EOR process confirms the readiness of this satellite technology to enter the next phase. SNL is part of PSN's commitment to providing large-capacity and reliable connectivity for Indonesia," said Adi, Thursday, January 29.

SNL is a Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) technology satellite with a total capacity of more than 160 Gbps, using the Boeing 702MP platform, and has 101 Ka-band spot beams that cover all regions of Indonesia. SNL is the Most Advanced VHTS in the world. This satellite will be stronger than other satellites in the Asian region and the N5 satellite terminal (VSAT) will be very advanced and cutting-edge.

With a larger bandwidth capacity, PSN is also able to provide broadband services to ASEAN countries, namely Malaysia, and the Philippines. This satellite is designed to have an operational life of more than 15 years and carries digital payload technology for more flexible and efficient data traffic management. With the later operation of the N5 Satellite, Indonesia will have a capacity of more than 400 Gbps, which is the largest in Asia Pacific.

Project Director SNL and PSN Technology Director, Satrio Adiwicaksono, explained that after arriving in orbit, the satellite will immediately enter the Testing phase.

"This stage is to verify the health and performance of the satellite after launch and integration with the network of ground stations/stations. This process will last about 90 days, before being followed by the spacecraft handover stage, namely the operational handover of the satellite from Boeing to SNL," explained Satrio.

Adi added, in supporting the operation of the N5 Satellite, PSN has prepared seven Earth Stations spread across various regions of Indonesia, namely Aceh, Bengkulu, Banjarmasin, Cikarang, Gresik, Kupang, and Tarakan. All of these earth infrastructure will play an important role in ensuring that satellite services can operate optimally and sustainably.

"SNL is targeted to operate fully in April 2026 and is expected to strengthen the national connectivity ecosystem, especially in supporting the need for large-capacity data communications and accelerating digital transformation in the Southeast Asian region," concluded Adi.

Former Trade Minister for the period 2011-2014, Gita Wirjawan, who visited the PSN Earth Station in Cikarang, West Java, Thursday, January 29, said the existence of the N5 Satellite would contribute greatly to the growth of the digital economy in Indonesia. Because, with the creation of equitable access to the internet to the corners of the archipelago, it will open up more opportunities for business actors to strengthen business performance by marketing their products to a wider market.

According to the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Indonesia's Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) is projected to reach around USD 360 billion by 2030. With this projection, Indonesia will become the largest digital market in Southeast Asia.

"Congratulations to PSN for the arrival of N5 Satellite in orbit and just one step away from serving the Indonesian people. The presence of N5 Satellite as a digital infrastructure in expanding connectivity must be maximized by business actors for business management so that it grows sustainably so that it has a positive impact on society and the country," concluded Gita.