TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan) will launch the Lapan A3 Satellite in June 2016 for conducting several earth observation missions.

"There are four main functions of this satellite. Besides monitoring agricultural and marine areas, it will also be used for conducting scientific studies and test of satellite control engineering (components)," Head of Lapan Thomas Djalaluddin said on Tuesday.

Lapan has cooperated with the Bogor Institute of Agriculture for the development of the microsatellite, which will be launched from India next month.

Data from the satellite can be used to regulate policies concerning the nations food sustainability and distribution of fertilizers, as well as to determine the harvest seasons, Djalaluddin stated after signing an agreement with the administration of Bengkulu on the use of satellite data.

"Bengkulu needs data from the satellite on fishery and agriculture to develop the two sectors," Acting Secretary of Bengkulu Provincial Administration Sumardi remarked.

Lapan had earlier also launched two satellites: Lapan A1 in 2007 for experimental use and Lapan A2 in 2015 for earth observation and amateur communication.

ANTARA