Said Djauharsjah Jenie: Pioneering Indonesian Aerospace

Said Djauharsjah Jenie (August 22, 1950 – July 11, 2008) was a visionary Indonesian aerospace engineer, scientist, and educator whose work shaped the nation’s technological and academic landscape. Renowned for his contributions to the N-250 aircraft, leadership at the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), and mentorship at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Jenie’s legacy continues to inspire Indonesia’s scientific community. This article explores his life, achievements, and enduring impact on Indonesian aerospace and education.

Early Life and Academic Journey

Born in Surakarta, Central Java, on August 22, 1950, Said Jenie was the son of Nahar Jenie, of Minangkabau descent, and Isbandiyah, of Javanese heritage. Losing his father at age one, Jenie grew up with his twin brother, Umar Anggara Jenie, and two other siblings, displaying early resilience and intellectual promise. His education began in Surakarta, setting the stage for a remarkable career.

Jenie pursued mechanical engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), graduating in 1973. His passion for aeronautics led him to the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, where he earned a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics in 1978. He later obtained a doctorate in astrodynamics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1982. At MIT, Jenie worked as a teaching assistant and conducted research with NASA and the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, honing his expertise in aerospace engineering.

Revolutionizing Indonesian Aerospace

Jenie’s most celebrated contribution was his pivotal role in developing the N-250, Indonesia’s first indigenously designed commercial aircraft. As a key engineer at PT Dirgantara Indonesia (formerly IPTN), Jenie contributed to the design, testing, and successful maiden flight of the N-250, a two-engine, fly-by-wire aircraft with a 50-passenger capacity. His confidence in the project was evident in his participation in test flights, showcasing Indonesia’s potential in global aviation.

Jenie also contributed to the CN-235, a collaborative aircraft project with Spain’s Casa, which gained international recognition and was adopted by air forces worldwide, including the United States. He played a crucial role in establishing aerospace testing facilities at PT Dirgantara Indonesia, including flight, ground, and simulation infrastructure, which became cornerstones of Indonesia’s aerospace industry. His expertise in aerodynamics and astrodynamics, particularly for large, elastic space vehicles, earned him global respect.

Leadership and Educational Impact

From 2006 until his passing in 2008, Jenie served as head of BPPT, where he drove innovations in engineering systems. He established a new engineering framework at BPPT, approved by the Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment, fostering collaborative research across Indonesian institutions. Jenie also served on the Board of Commissioners at PT Dirgantara Indonesia and the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), influencing both industry and policy.

As a professor at ITB’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, Jenie was a dedicated educator, teaching courses like Introduction to Aerospace Engineering and Flight Control, often on weekends to accommodate students. His teaching materials, particularly his detailed slides, were praised as exemplary. Students like Azki and Muhammad Mukhlason admired his accessibility, integrity, and mentorship, especially in guiding final-year projects.

Awards and Honors

Jenie’s contributions earned him numerous accolades, including the Adicipta Rekayasa Award (1994) from the Indonesian Engineers Association, the ASEAN Engineering Award (1994), the Bintang Jasa Nararia (1995) and Bintang Jasa Utama (2007) from the Indonesian government, the Kalianakretia Award (1996) from the Indonesian Academy of Sciences, and the Wing Kehormatan Penerbang Uji Utama (2000) from IPTN. These awards reflect his profound impact on aerospace and national development.

Personal Life and Legacy

Jenie married Sadarijah Laksmi Saraswati, with whom he had two daughters, Asih Nurul Sadarijah and Gita Ismailia Isbandiyah. Known for his reserved nature, Jenie became animated when discussing aerospace, as noted by colleague Kusmayanto Kadiman. His passion for technology and education left a lasting impression.

Tragically, Jenie passed away on July 11, 2008, from a heart attack at Borromeus Hospital in Bandung, despite managing only asthma and diabetes previously. His remains were flown to Yogyakarta on a CN-235 aircraft he helped develop and laid to rest at the Family Cemetery Sewu in Bantul, Yogyakarta, following a ceremonial farewell at ITB.

Enduring Influence

Said Djauharsjah Jenie’s legacy lives on through Indonesia’s aerospace advancements and the students he inspired. The N-250 and CN-235 projects demonstrated Indonesia’s global aviation capabilities, while his leadership at BPPT and ITB fostered innovation and education. The BRIN Kawasan Sains Said Djauharsjah Jenie in Surabaya honors his contributions. Jenie’s belief in creating tangible technological solutions continues to guide Indonesia’s scientific community.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Said Djauharsjah JenieURL: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Said_Djauharsjah_JenieDescription: Overview of Jenie’s life, career, and contributions to the N-250 and BPPT.

2. Wikipedia Bahasa Indonesia: Said Djauharsjah JenieURL: id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Said_Djauharsjah_JenieDescription: Detailed biography in Indonesian, covering aerospace and ITB contributions.

3. ITB: Obituari Prof Said Djauharsjah JenieURL: www.itb.ac.idDescription: ITB’s obituary on Jenie’s academic contributions.

4. Kompas: Said D Jenie, Tokoh Uji Terbang N-250URL: nasional.kompas.com/read/2008/07/11/13000847/Said.D.Jenie.Tokoh.Uji.Terbang.N-250.Tutup.UsiaDescription: Details Jenie’s role in N-250 flight tests and his passing.

5. Tempo: Kepala BPPT Said Jenie Meninggal DuniaURL: nasional.tempo.co/read/125663/kepala-bppt-said-jenie-meninggal-duniaDescription: Reports Jenie’s death and BPPT contributions.

6. Detik: Said D Jenie, dari Pesawat Sampai Sistem Rekayasa Baru BPPTURL: news.detik.com/berita/d-966615/said-d-jenie-dari-pesawat-sampai-sistem-rekayasa-baru-bpptDescription: Covers Jenie’s work on CN-235 and BPPT’s engineering framework.

7. ANTARA News: Obituari Said Jenie, Sang Ilmuwan SejatiURL: reflectiononlife.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/obituari-said-jenie-sang-ilmuwan-sejatiDescription: Obituary on Jenie’s expertise in aerodynamics and N-250.

8. The Jakarta Post: BPPT Head Said Jenie Passes AwayURL: www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/07/11/bppt-head-said-jenie-passes-awayDescription: Discusses Jenie’s passing and aerospace legacy.