SE ASIA’S FIRST SATELLITES IN ORBIT

The very first country in the world to launch an artificial satellite into orbit is the Soviet Union in 1957. The United States followed the next year. From then on, all of the world’s wealthiest nations launched theirs in the 1960s.

Only nineteen years later, Southeast Asia’s first satellite was launched by Indonesia in 1976. Who among us haven’t heard of the famous Palapa Satellite? Well, I did! And they launched another one the next year, the Palapa 2.

Our region used Indonesia’s Palapa for broadcasting and telecommunications until Thailand launched its own satellite in 1993 named Thaicom, Southeast Asia’s 2nd country after 17 years.

Three years later, Malaysia launched MEASAT in 1996 and the Philippines launched Mabuhay1 the next year.

All of these satellites (and succeeding ones) were launched by the help of western countries. BUT starting 2010, Southeast Asia would have space rocket launching capability --Thanks to our wonderful neighbor, Indonesia. (source)

Indonesia will build Southeast Asia’s very first Spaceport. It is said that it would be Asia’s most advanced facility surpassing even China’s. This will fortify Indonesia’s dominance in Space Technology in our region and ensuring Southeast Asia isn't left behind.

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