“BRIN is concerned not only about space research and innovation, but also its use through collaboration with industry and space facilities," chairman of BRIN Laksana Tri Handoko said in a press release received from BRIN here on Tuesday.
Space20 is an international collaborative effort of G20 countries, specifically in the field of space, to build economic and environmental-based space. The two topics will be the focus of discussions in the upcoming meeting.
Handoko said that policies on research and organization of space in Indonesia have currently been integrated with BRIN and were transferred from LAPAN to BRIN under the Space Law. They include policies, research management, infrastructure, management of space data, and information services, he added.
Progress made in the field of space in Indonesia will not only have an impact on space technology and applications but also on the economy, he explained. For example, the SATRIA national satellite program, which is currently being developed to drive the transformation of the digital economy.
"Currently, Indonesia plans to develop the launch of 19 satellite constellations for remote sensing missions and increase the capacity of communication satellites to support the digital, blue, and green economy," he explained.
Meanwhile, executive director of the Indonesian Space Agency (INASA) Erna Sri Adiningsih informed that the meeting will be divided into two sessions—the Space Agency Session and the Space Industrial Session.
The Space Agency Session will discuss priority issues in the space economy sector, especially the theme of "Space for Digital, Green, and Blue Economy” to stipulate several space-related recommendations that are beneficial for G20 countries, while the Space Industrial Session will be attended by figures from the space industry sector—from start-ups to large industries, she added.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has been a lesson for all of us, especially Indonesia, that sees the transition of the majority of community activities into online and digital. This, of course, requires good connectivity through qualified space technology, both in terms of infrastructure and technology readiness, one of which is the readiness of the space industry," Adiningsih explained.
She said that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the use of space technology for economic recovery and growth through the digital, blue, and green economy.
"The focus of the meeting is to strengthen economic recovery and growth through the promotion of technology, startups, and the space industry," she explained further.
She added that the target expected to be achieved through the activity is to strengthen the space industry and open strategic partnerships to promote the Indonesian space sector, including encouraging public and private entities to open services and develop space applications.
"This meeting is also expected to encourage G20 countries to make special programs and policies for the younger generation in developing startups with space organizations as business incubators, in addition to providing young startups with an easy access to components and marketing of space products so they can boost the success of the digital, blue, and green economy,” Adiningsih said.
Space20 is scheduled to be attended by 20 heads of space agencies at the level of ministers from G20 countries, representatives of 5 invited countries outside the G20, and leaders of industries as well as international space organizations from G20 countries.
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Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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