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The seminar featured ILOA Director, Steve Durst, as the keynote speaker and Dr. Chatief Kunjaya, M.Sc., from the Astronomy Research Group of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) ITB, as the moderator.

In his presentation, Durst explained ILOA's primary mission, which is to expand humanity's understanding of the cosmos through observations from the Moon's surface. The Moon is considered as an ideal location for astronomical observations due to its unique properties, including low radio interference on its far side, stability as an observation platform, and permanently shadowed regions suitable for infrared studies.

Durst highlighted several flagship missions, including ILO-1 and ILO-2, aimed at capturing the first deep-space images of galaxies and conducting astronomical observations. One of the key focus areas is the Moon’s south pole, which offers nearly continuous sunlight for energy generation and proximity to water ice deposits that could be utilized for future exploration.

"Additionally, these missions support Earth's climate change monitoring, solar storm warnings, and the exploration of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)," he stated.

Beyond its scientific objectives, ILOA is actively engaging in international collaborations, including partnerships in Southeast Asia that involve academics from ITB, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and other institutions. The ILO-C project, scheduled for launch in 2026, stands as a testament to global cooperation in space innovation.

Following the seminar, ILOA Director visited ITB's Rectorate and was warmly welcomed by ITB Rector, Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T.

The visit centered on discussions regarding potential academic and research collaborations, particularly in space exploration. As one of the leading organizations in lunar observation and exploration, ILOA expressed its strong interest in partnering with ITB on various scientific initiatives.

Meanwhile, ITB, with its strong reputation in space science and aerospace research, is recognized as a potential long-term partner for future collaborations.

"When discussing space science in Indonesia, ITB stands out as the institution with the most academic collaborations in this field. We believe that partnering with ILOA can significantly accelerate the advancement of astronomical research in the future," said Prof. Tatacipta Dirgantara.

This visit marks the beginning of a closer relationship between ITB and ILOA, aiming to establish strategic collaborations in space science and astronomy research.

Reporter: Anggun Nindita

Translator: Yafi Amri