TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

New space agency director has big plans

Bambang Setiawan Tejasukmana was installed on Wednesday as National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) director, replacing Adi Sadewo Salatun who retired in January

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Thu, March 3, 2011

Share This Article

Change Size

New space agency director has big plans

B

ambang Setiawan Tejasukmana was installed on Wednesday as National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) director, replacing Adi Sadewo Salatun who retired in January.

Speaking after his inauguration, the new LAPAN director said he would develop more synergized cooperation with other related institutions.

“We will be stronger if we work within a network,” he said after the inauguration ceremony led by Research and Technology Minister Suharna Surapranata at LAPAN headquarters in Jakarta.

Bambang said LAPAN’s programs would require a lot of cooperation. The programs include the launching of rockets and satellites and the use of radar and remote sensing. There is also the draft law on national aeronautics to be proposed.

“As a long term program we have a plan to launch a rocket,” Bambang said, as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said that the rocket, termed RX550, would hopefully become the basis of a satellite launch in Indonesia. LAPAN would first have a static test that was direly needed to measure the rocket’s power in Pamengpeuk, West Java, he said.

LAPAN will also launch two micro-satellites that are still in the integration stage. “We will also launch our equatorial observation satellite,” Bambang said, adding that a similar satellite would be launched by India this year.

He said LAPAN was preparing a food security satellite, which would monitor paddy fields and forested areas. For satellites and radar with higher capacities, LAPAN will cooperate with its foreign counterparts to monitor ships and illegal fishing in the area.

However, Bambang said the implementation of the programs would depend on government approval since they required a lot of financial support.

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.