SOUTHEAST ASIAN BLOGGERS NETWORK

Friday, February 15, 2008

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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13 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Palapa? Of course! It was a familiar word when I was a little girl in the 70S.

Thanks for the news about the Spaceport. That's good news. Let me check the Indo blog.

Anonymous said...

Great post! Your blog is becoming very comprehensive as it go along. I am very impressed!

Soon, this blog can stand on its own even without daily updates. It's simply independent referrence!

Anonymous said...

Indo spaceport? i'd never have guessed that! cool!

Hey, just a note -- i changed my blog from KingAmongRunaways (bleh!)to www.JustinWasHere.com (better, huh?) so if you can update your link, that'd be sweet!

Jerick said...

now, can the rest of south east asia top that (bet none of us can within the next 10-12 years!). wonderful indonesia, WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful to know that!!! Southeast Asia had always been known for its technology, innovation and skilled manpower..very very good news...

happy v-day pisanu, sofia and morgan...and to all bisean friends and readers...sorry I am a day late...but hope all of you had a wonderful time yesterday..from your friend at next blogazine media, patric

Jake said...

Wohooo! Salamat Indonesia! :)

Pisanu for BISEAN said...

@Justin...link updated! So, did are u in Kiwiland now?

Thanks Carrie, Froger, JK, Patric and Jake! Cool!

Anonymous said...

Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group plans to launch Vietnam first satelite on 10 April in French Guyana. Fingers crossed for a successful launch!

Bram Adimas said...

that shows how russia loves us so much that they trust us for the location of spaceport. hidup indonesia!

rick said...

lol, i didn't know that the philippines has launched its own satellite. did we really afford the expensive satellite? good thing the politicians did not corrupt the funds...

peace y'all

Anonymous said...

on the contrary @ the dreamer... (god, where am i getting those phrases)

i was more surprised about indonesia. since i wasn't born in the 70's like some old people here.

and they're going to hav another one huh? how many are hungry again in indonesia?

Anonymous said...

thanks for the info hahaha

sony said...

@danihael: Don't be so sarcastic, Dani... For a country as huge as Indonesia, it's inevitable and very crucial to have its own satellite.... So, I don't see any relations with the word "hungry" you stated...

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