Indonesia’s Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Mr. Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, has announced that Indonesia will launch 20 nano-satellites in 2024 to map and manage maritime conditions and activities.
Nano-satellites (Illustration)
Speaking at a seminar commemorating Indonesia’s National Maritime Day, Minister Sakti stated that the deployment of these 20 nano-satellites is part of Indonesia’s maritime space management strategy known as “Big Ocean Data.” This initiative aims to support sustainable economic development through the collection of extensive data on oceanic conditions, marine ecosystems, and activities at sea. The data gathered and synthesized from various sources, including nano-satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, underwater drones, and fishing vessels, facilitates decision-making processes and policy development.
Minister Sakti highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between the economy and ecological sustainability by adopting a green economy approach to better harness the potential of the sea, both nationally and globally. He mentioned that Indonesia has been preparing policies for the development of fisheries and maritime industries based on the principles of a green economy. These policies include expanding marine conservation areas, safeguarding carbon reserves and biodiversity, protecting breeding areas, and implementing sustainable fishing practices.
Given Indonesia’s unique geographical conditions with numerous islands, the country recognizes the importance of advancing satellite technology. In March of this year, Indonesia successfully launched its first domestically developed nano-satellite, SS-1, equipped for Earth monitoring, data collection, and emergency response handling.