Successful Launch of Merah Putih 2 Satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida

Florida, INTI - The Merah Putih 2 satellite, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Tuesday (20/2) local time. This satellite, belonging to Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk and its subsidiary Telkomsat, marks a significant milestone as it is the 11th satellite in Telkom's fleet and the first to utilize High Throughput Satellite (HTS) technology, also known as broadband satellite.

"We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of the Merah Putih 2 satellite. This achievement is crucial for TelkomGroup, especially in our mission to enhance connectivity access across Indonesia, including remote areas. The presence of Merah Putih 2 strengthens TelkomGroup's satellite business portfolio operated by Telkomsat," stated Ririek Adriansyah, CEO of Telkom, from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

With a capacity of up to 32Gbps, Merah Putih 2 carries active transponders operating in the C-band and Ku-band frequencies, providing coverage across Indonesia. Positioned at 113 degrees East longitude, this satellite aims to bolster Indonesia's digital infrastructure, particularly in regions with high rainfall, where its C-Band frequency performs optimally.

Manufactured on the Spacebus 4000B2 platform by Thales Alenia Space, Merah Putih 2 is designed for a lifespan of 15 years. Thales Alenia Space, the primary contractor responsible for design, construction, testing, and delivery of the satellite, will also oversee the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) and in-orbit testing (IOT) phases.

Telkomsat collaborated with SpaceX for the satellite launch, utilizing the Falcon 9 rocket. Additionally, partnerships with Jasindo and Telesat ensure risk mitigation and consultancy support for Telkomsat throughout the satellite acquisition and manufacturing process.

Bogi Witjaksono, Director of Wholesale & International Service at Telkom, highlighted three key missions for Merah Putih 2: enhancing national digital infrastructure resilience, securing and maintaining Indonesia's orbital slot at 113 degrees East, and strengthening the satellite business portfolio by increasing internal capacity to 42.4 Gbps.

Lukman Hakim Abd Rauf, CEO of Telkomsat, emphasized the innovative capabilities of HTS technology, enabling broad coverage with high-power satellite beams. This broadband satellite promises frequency reusability, potentially increasing HTS capacity significantly.

Merah Putih 2 is slated to commence operations in April 2024, contributing to Indonesia's digital equality efforts, supporting maritime businesses, and enhancing data sovereignty by reducing reliance on foreign satellite capacity.*Hans