A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the Nusantara Lima satellite into orbit on September 11, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This mission is a significant step in Indonesia's efforts to expand broadband internet access across its vast archipelago and the wider Southeast Asian region.
The Nusantara Lima satellite, built by Boeing using its 702MP platform, is designed to deliver over 160 Gbps of capacity. Approximately 80 Gbps of this bandwidth is allocated for Indonesia, with the remaining capacity extending connectivity to neighboring countries such as Malaysia and the Philippines. This high-throughput capability aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring reliable internet access reaches remote villages and islands.
Equipped with advanced payload processing technology, the satellite can dynamically direct its internet capacity to areas with the highest demand, including those affected by natural disasters. This adaptability highlights a forward-thinking approach to digital inclusion.
The Falcon 9's first stage completed its 23rd mission, successfully landing on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas." The Nusantara Lima satellite was deployed into its geosynchronous transfer orbit approximately 27.5 minutes after liftoff. This marked the 114th Falcon 9 mission of 2025.
Nusantara Lima is scheduled to begin operations in 2026 after undergoing rigorous in-orbit testing. PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), Indonesia's pioneering private satellite telecommunications company, will operate the spacecraft. PSN CEO Adi Rahman Adiwoso emphasized the satellite's potential to empower communities, educational institutions, and businesses historically lacking consistent internet access, thereby fostering economic and social development.
This initiative aligns with Indonesia's national objectives for equitable digital service access and complements existing infrastructure like the SATRIA-1 satellite. The mission also underscores the growing importance of high-throughput satellites in addressing the connectivity challenges of the Asia-Pacific region by offering higher data rates at a lower cost.