Jakarta, INTI - The global satellite industry is entering a new phase with the development of various orbit types, no longer relying solely on geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites, but also Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). This development is seen as opening up opportunities for Indonesia to play a larger role in the space industry, not only as a technology user but also as an industry player.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Satellite Association (ASSI), Risdianto Yuli Hermansyah, stated that advances in satellite technology are progressing rapidly and transforming the entire industrial ecosystem. He believes Indonesia needs to capitalize on this momentum.
"Regulatory developments, the management of increasingly crowded orbital slots and frequency spectrum internationally, and the need to increase the level of domestic components and domestic research must be utilized so that Indonesia becomes not only a market but also a global player," he said at the 50th Anniversary of Indonesian Satellite in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Satellites Have Become an Important Infrastructure
Risdianto explained that over the past five decades, the function of satellites has evolved significantly beyond simply being a means of communication. Satellites have become strategic infrastructure supporting digital transformation in various sectors, such as disaster mitigation and regional monitoring to natural resource management, defense and security, and digital financial services.
"Satellites have transformed from a communications medium into an economic driver, a guardian of sovereignty, and a driver of national competitiveness," he said.
On the other hand, satellite technology continues to evolve. The industry is now entering the era of Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS), which can provide much greater internet capacity and are increasingly integrated with terrestrial networks.
Furthermore, the emergence of non-geostationary satellite megaconstellations (NGSOs), Direct-to-Device (D2D) technology that allows mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, and the use of analytics-based Earth Observation satellites have transformed the way satellites are utilized in various sectors.
Risdianto believes these developments represent a significant opportunity for Indonesia to build a more independent satellite industry. As an archipelagic nation with high connectivity needs, Indonesia has strong potential to develop a national satellite ecosystem with the support of appropriate policies.
"Satellites are the foundation of connectivity, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital era," he said.
Therefore, satellite industry development cannot rely solely on satellite operators. Synergy is needed between the government, industry players, academics, and research institutions to capitalize on the ever-growing opportunities in the space economy.
Conclusion
The global satellite industry is shifting from geostationary (GEO) satellite dominance to multi-orbit ecosystems such as LEO, MEO, and VLEO, opening up new opportunities for Indonesia to become a player in the space industry. ASSI Chairman Risdianto Yuli Hermansyah said Indonesia needs to capitalize on this momentum by strengthening research, regulations, orbital slot and frequency spectrum management, increasing the level of domestic components, and developing talent.
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