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Indonesia Shifts Satellite Launch Preference to SpaceX After Chinese Rocket Failure

Following a critical rocket malfunction in 2020, Indonesia moves away from Chinese contractors, favoring Elon Musk's SpaceX for future satellite launches.

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Overview

  • A Chinese rocket failure in April 2020, which destroyed Indonesia's $220 million Nusantara-2 satellite, shifted Jakarta's preference from China Great Wall Industry Corp to SpaceX for satellite launches.
  • SpaceX has launched two Indonesian satellites since the incident, with a third scheduled, marking a significant shift in Indonesia's space collaboration.
  • Elon Musk's personal relationship with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and SpaceX's launch reliability and cost-effectiveness were key factors in winning contracts over Chinese competitors.
  • SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service received regulatory approval in Indonesia following a meeting between Musk and Widodo in Texas in 2022.
  • The shift towards SpaceX reflects a broader trend of Western companies making inroads in Indonesia, challenging the dominance of Chinese firms in the telecommunications sector.