Indonesia is gearing up to enhance broadband internet access across the country with the upcoming launch of its latest communications satellite, Telkomsat HTS 113BT, also known as Merah Putih 2. The satellite is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 3:11 p.m. EST (2011 UTC) on Tuesday, with a two-hour launch window. In case of any delays, a four-hour backup window is available on Wednesday starting at 12:53 p.m. EST (1753 UTC).

The Thales Alenia Space-built Merah Putih 2 satellite is expected to provide over 32 Gbps capacity specifically for Indonesia, aiming to support the Indonesian satellite operators' business development. This mission will mark SpaceX's 16th launch in 2024 and the first outing for the droneship, 'Just Read the Instructions,' since a booster toppled over during a return in December.

The Falcon 9 first stage booster, tail number B1067, will be making its 17th flight, having previously supported missions such as Crew-3, Crew-4, Cargo Dragon spacecraft, and the launch of another Indonesian communications satellite PSN Satria in June 2023. Successful deployment of Merah Putih 2 into geosynchronous transfer orbit is expected approximately 33 minutes after liftoff.

The launch is significant as Merah Putih 2 will be the second satellite launched by SpaceX for Telkomsat, following the success of the Merah Putih satellite, previously known as Telkom-4, back in August 2018. With live coverage by Spaceflight Now and historical achievements in booster landings, all eyes are on the success of this mission which is poised to further bolster Indonesia's connectivity landscape.