Indonesia is considering developing a $1 billion satellite launch centre on the 52km² (20 miles²) Lembe Island, in the province of North Sulawesi, close to the port of Bitung, according to the province's governor.
Two more of Indonesia's 17,000 islands - Biak Island in the Bay of Cendrawasih and Waigeo Island, north of the western tip of Irian Jaya - are being examined for the project, which is being co-ordinated by the Indonesian space agency.
Meanwhile, South Korea is considering constructing its own satellite launch centre for the launch of a low Earth orbit national satellite aboard an indigenously developed booster by 2005, says President Kim Dae-Jung.
Construction of the site, which could be in Namhae or Kohung on the south coast, could begin next year. The project has an initial budget of $115 million.
Source: Flight International
