Nighttime at Cape Canaveral, Florida, felt different. All eyes were fixed on one point: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Nusantara Lima Satellite, or SNL.
Since its founding in 1991, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) has existed with a simple yet powerful determination: to give Indonesia a foothold in its own skies. As the country’s first private satellite company, PSN paved the way for what seemed impossible at the time. From the success of Nusantara Satu in 2019 to the current orbiting of Nusantara Lima, this long journey is proof that Indonesia’s dream of independence in space is not just talk, but a reality that is being built with patience, hard work, and unwavering faith.
For Indonesia, SNL is more than just a satellite. It is a symbol of the nation’s struggle and long-standing dream. A satellite designed to reach all corners of the archipelago, from Sabang to Merauke, from small islands to the Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost (3T) regions. For children studying in remote villages, for doctors treating patients long distances, for families seeking to stay connected, SNL is a bridge of hope.
Visible and Invisible Hard Work
On September 11, 2025, the Nusantara Lima Satellite finally launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, soaring through the sky aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The moment didn’t come easily. Weather disrupted the schedule several times, and lightning and rain forced the team to hold their breath. The engineers and technicians involved had to evaluate repeatedly, ensuring every detail was secure and every system was ready. Finally, after a tense wait, the rocket took off, carrying the hopes of a nation into orbit.
Adi Rahman Adiwoso, President Director of Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), recalls the long process with pride. “SNL’s success isn’t just about technology. It’s about collaboration in realizing the nation’s dreams. Every second of the team’s hard work is an investment in Indonesia’s future,” he said.
Technology That Unites the Nation
SNL, Asia’s largest VHTS satellite with a capacity of 160 Gbps, is more than just numbers and specifications. The satellite’s hybrid propulsion system and 101 spot beams are designed to ensure internet access to previously isolated areas. Seven ground stations from Banda Aceh to Kupang demonstrate that every Indonesian has the right to be connected.
Satrio Adiwicaksono, Project Director of the Nusantara Lima Satellite and Director of Technology at PSN, warmly stated, “PSN believes that easy access to the best internet services is the right of all Indonesian citizens amidst today’s rapid digital transformation. We hope that the presence of PSN services can be a catalyst in improving the quality of life for the community and contribute to supporting the progress and prosperity of the Indonesian nation.”
Connecting Every Corner of the Archipelago
The Nusantara Lima Satellite will then undergo the In-Orbit Raising phase, followed by In-Orbit Testing and In-Orbit Acceptance Review to ensure all systems are functioning optimally. SNL will have a significant impact on the nation. Equitable internet access opens up educational opportunities, telemedicine reaches remote areas, and disaster mitigation becomes faster and more accurate. Even the defense and security sectors receive strategic support from this satellite. SNL not only brings technology, but it will become a part of life, connecting people and the nation.
Reaching ASEAN with Commitment
SNL’s success also brings pride at the regional level. Through a partnership with the Philippine satellite company, We Are IT Philippines Inc., internet services will reach remote areas in the Philippines, and Satelit Nusantara Lima’s internet services will also reach Malaysia.
Adi Rahman said, “The expansion of PSN services to ASEAN countries confirms the capabilities of Indonesian companies in satellite and space technology on the global stage. We will continue to innovate in products and services to maximize other market potentials in the future while fulfilling our mission of strengthening a sovereign and independent national space industry.”
An Unforgettable Pride
As the rocket lifted off from Earth, there was a sense of pride, emotion, and relief among PSN personnel. All the hard work, dedication, and cross-border collaboration became a reality with the successful launch of the Nusantara Lima Satellite.
The Nusantara Lima Satellite reflects Indonesia’s commitment to achieving its goals, dreaming big, and bringing change for technological advancement and expanding connectivity. Its presence in the Indonesian skies, spanning the ASEAN region, strengthens Indonesia’s regional and global position in the space industry, while providing tangible services to the public and enhancing Indonesia’s competitiveness in facing the global future.