SpaceX has successfully launched the long-awaited Nusantara Lima (N5) satellite for Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), marking a significant milestone in expanding satellite broadband coverage across Indonesia and neighbouring regions.
The satellite was launched on the morning of 11 September from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, following three days of weather-related postponements.
Built on Boeing’s 702MP VHTS bus, the N5 satellite is equipped to deliver over 160 Gbps of capacity using Ka-band spot beams, providing critical broadband internet access and communication services to Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Boeing highlighted that the satellite features advanced payload processing technology, enabling PSN to dynamically allocate its internet and communication capacity based on shifting demand, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness.
Designed to supplement PSN’s existing SATRIA-1 satellite, which has been operational since last year, the Nusantara Lima satellite has been in development since 2022. Although initially scheduled for launch in 2023 alongside SATRIA-1, both launches faced delays, with no official explanation provided. The N5 satellite’s successful deployment brings new hope for improving connectivity in underserved communities, schools, and businesses that previously lacked reliable access, according to PSN Group CEO Adi Rahman Adiwoso. He emphasised that with a capacity exceeding 160 Gbps, the satellite will bolster Indonesia’s national communications infrastructure to meet growing demands.
The N5 satellite is expected to remain operational for at least 15 years, with plans for it to reach its designated orbital slot at 113 degrees East by mid-January 2026. Service is anticipated to commence on 1 April 2026, according to reports from the Indonesian newspaper Kompas. The satellite’s total cost, including construction and launch, is estimated at over IDR7 trillion, reflecting its critical role in advancing Indonesia’s digital connectivity landscape.
