Development of the Lapan A-4 satellite is in its finishing and components testing stage.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Research and Innovation Agency's (BRIN's) Aeronautics and Space Research Organization has set its sights on launching the Lapan A-4 satellite in 2022 after being earlier moved to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Development of the Lapan A-4 satellite is in its finishing and component testing stage," Head of BRIN's Aeronautics and Space Research Organization, Erna Sri Adiningsih, told ANTARA here on Wednesday.

The Lapan A-4 Satellite can conduct monitoring of earth's natural resources, environmental conditions, and fish theft as well as disaster analysis, she remarked.

The satellite is designed for remote sensing, including ship monitoring, with automatic identification system, she elaborated.

Lapan A-4 will be utilized for monitoring maritime affairs, ships, and natural resources for which its camera quality is upgraded, Adiningsih stated.

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In 2021, one of the primary targets of BRIN's Aeronautics and Space Research Organization was to complete construction of the Lapan A-4 Satellite to be launched in 2022, Adiningsish noted.

However, the launch schedule target had yet to be discussed with the launch officials, she explained.

Ever since 2020, COVID-19 has posed a major hurdle for the research organization to achieve its target in 2021, on account of which a delay from the planned target was inevitable, she pointed out.

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a major problem due to a policy that restricts employees from working in an office or a laboratory, Adiningsish explained.

Meanwhile, the scope of work of BRIN's Aeronautics and Space Research Organization does not fall in the essential sector category wherein conducting live physical activities are allowed.

Consequently, there have been restrictions or delays in activities that require an office and laboratory or research facility.

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Translator: Martha S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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