Taman Ismail Marzuki hosts the Pekan Astronomi Jakarta as part of the 2026 World Space Week, blending public education with the nation’s ambitions for a domestic launch site in Biak.
The hum of city traffic fades near the Teater Kecil at Taman Ismail Marzuki. replaced this week by the quiet intensity of telescopes pointed toward the sun. On Thursday. October 8. 2026. the Planetarium and Observatorium Jakarta officially threw open its doors. turning a corner of the capital into a hub for the global World Space Week celebration.
Running from October 6 through October 10. 2026. the Pekan Astronomi Jakarta invites students and the general public to engage with space science through a series of hands-on exhibits and mini-planetarium shows. There is no cost to enter; those interested simply follow the registration process provided by organizers at the entrance of the Teater Kecil. For many, the highlight remains the outdoor observation sessions, where specialized telescopes allow a rare, clear view of solar activity.
The event’s atmosphere shifts from observation to action tomorrow, Friday, October 9, when visitors can participate in water rocket experiments. The week-long showcase concludes on Saturday. October 10. with a final talk show featuring subject matter experts discussing the tangible benefits of space technology in our daily lives.
This year’s theme, “Rocket Revolution,” echoes a global shift spearheaded by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. It reflects a world where space access is no longer the exclusive playground of powerful governments. With the rise of commercial space companies and the arrival of reusable rocket technology. the barrier to reaching the stars has fallen. making exploration more affordable and accessible than ever before.
For Indonesia, the timing of this celebration serves a dual purpose. While the public gathers at the planetarium. the Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional is working quietly to advance the development of the Bandar Antariksa Nasional in Biak. Papua. This project represents a strategic pivot, moving the nation toward the goal of launching commercial satellites independently. By integrating the local festival’s focus on inspiration with the technical work being done in Papua. the goal is clear: to cultivate a domestic science ecosystem that can eventually claim its own place in the regional industry.
It is a bridge between two worlds: the immediate. curious eyes of students at the Teater Kecil and the long-term. industrial ambition of a future launch site in the remote east. Between the rocket workshops and the expert panels. the mission remains fixed on bringing the science of the heavens down to earth.
Pekan Astronomi Jakarta World Space Week 2026 Taman Ismail Marzuki Planetarium Jakarta Bandar Antariksa Nasional Biak sains antariksa