BRIsat for Indonesian Bank is Performing Post-Launch Maneuvers According to Plan

June 20, 2016

Space Systems Loral (SSL),  announced that a satellite designed and built for PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BRI), the oldest and most profitable bank in Indonesia, was launched on Saturday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite, BRIsat, deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, and began firing its main thruster to propel it toward its final geostationary orbit. BRI will use the satellite as a dedicated platform for banking connection services for the people of Indonesia.

BRIsat is the world's first communications satellite owned and operated by a bank. It will provide both C-band and Ku-band coverage of Indonesia and South East Asia, and enables BRI to provide expanded secure banking communications to almost 60 million customers across the Indonesian archipelago, including locations where banking services were previously unavailable.

"It has been a pleasure to work together with BRI on the development and launch of its satellite, which will improve lives by providing expanded access to banking services," said John Celli, president of SSL. "This launch marks two successes for SSL, as we built both the satellites that were launched on Saturday on the Ariane 5."

BRIsat is based on the SSL 1300 satellite platform, which has the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. Positioned at 150.5 degrees East longitude, the satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer.

"SSL has been an excellent partner in providing a high quality satellite which was delivered and launched on schedule," said BRI CEO Asmawi Syam Syamsuddin. "SSL and BRI share a mutual understanding and common spirit that helped make this project a success. As the leading bank in Indonesia with the largest microfinance business in the world, our communication network is critical and BRIsat will play an important role in growing this network's strength and reliability. 

In addition to building BRIsat, SSL provided BRI with a complete satellite control system solution, which includes two satellite control facilities. The company also provided training, and launch support services.