KMPN ITB Successfully Hosts the Aerospace Innovation Summit 2025: Cakrawala – When Earth and Sky Meet
By Syabina Er Said - Mahasiswa Teknik Dirgantara, 2020
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – The Aerospace Engineering Student Association “KMPN Otto Lilienthal” at Institut Teknologi Bandung (KMPN ITB) successfully organized the Aerospace Innovation Summit (AIS) 2025 on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 to 13, 2025, at the historic West Hall of ITB. This annual event served as a vibrant platform for collaboration and education, designed to broaden public understanding of the aerospace sector, covering technological advancements, industrial developments, and prospects for future innovation.
Carrying the theme Cakrawala: When Earth and Sky Meet, the summit offered a diverse range of programs that included keynote talkshows, hands-on workshops, competitive events, and exhibitions showcasing both cutting-edge technology and breakthrough innovations. The event was open to a wide audience, including high school and university students, academic professionals, community organizations, and the general public, aiming to promote inclusivity and inspire curiosity in aerospace.
Among the highlights of AIS 2025 were three main talk shows that explored critical topics shaping the aerospace landscape in Indonesia. The first session addressed the role of technological innovation in national defense and featured notable speakers such as Air Marshal (Retired) Chappy Hakim and representatives from PT Dirgantara Indonesia. The second talk show focused on how Indonesia can harness its domestic capabilities and strategic resources to accelerate the development of space technology. The third session offered a comprehensive discussion on the challenges and opportunities faced by the country’s aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) industry.
In addition to the series of insightful panel discussions, AIS 2025 hosted a Foam Rocket Workshop, which provided participants with a hands-on learning experience in basic rocketry and propulsion. The summit also included an exhibition of research and technological innovations contributed by various institutions and aerospace companies. Another memorable feature of the event was a musical theater performance celebrating the life and legacy of the late B. J. Habibie, presented by ITB’s STEMA Student Activity Unit, which paid tribute to Indonesia’s foremost aerospace pioneer through the arts.
The summit also invited youth participation through a variety of creative and scientific competitions designed for both school and university-level students. These included the Water Rocket Competition, the Aero Champions challenge, and the Aerospace Case Competition. Outstanding entries were showcased in an open exhibition space, allowing attendees to engage directly with the innovations and ideas proposed by the participants.
AIS 2025 received strong support from key stakeholders in the aerospace and industrial sectors, including Airbus, Pertamina, Pupuk Kaltim, and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN). Their involvement highlighted a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of aerospace leaders and innovators in Indonesia.
Through this event, KMPN ITB reaffirmed its dedication to creating a future where the aerospace field is not limited to academics and professionals but is instead a shared aspiration accessible to all segments of Indonesian youth. The Aerospace Innovation Summit 2025 encouraged students and young innovators to dream boldly and explore their potential within this dynamic and forward-looking industry.
Translator: Nabila Puspita (Bioengineering, 2022)
