The Algerian Space Agency has launched a telecoms satellite into space in cooperation with China.
This follows the successful launch of Alcomsat-1 by China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) aboard a Long March 3B rocket, according to ITWebAfrica.
Primarily designed for telecommunications purposes, the Alcomsat-1 satellite will support television broadcasting and provide broadband communications for remote education, e-government, and other services.
The satellite will be operated by the Algerian Space Agency, and it has a design life of 15 years.
The China Great Wall Industry Corporation revealed that the satellite carries a 33-transponder payload comprised of 19 in Ku-band, 12 in Ka-band and two in L-band.
The launch of Alcomsat-1 means that there are now six Algerian satellites in orbit, according to N2yo.
This puts it on par with Nigeria and South Africa, which also have six satellites each in orbit, while Egypt has five and Morocco only one.
Assisted by China, the Algerian satellite was launched into space on Dec. 10 thanks to China Great Wall Industry Corporation, which built the actual satellite and also provided the launch vehicle.
The Chinese company expressed delight at the successful launch by calling it “a good beginning of space cooperation,” between China and Algeria,” and that “more space programs are expected to be initiated soon,” according to Spacenews.
The Alcomsat-1 received frequency coordination and system definition services via Chinese satellite operator China Satcom.
In November, fellow North African nation Morocco launched their first observation satellite into space.
The Mohammed VI-A satellite was launched from Kourou in French Guinea on a Vega rocket built by Airbus Defense and Space and Thales Alenia Space, according to Yenisafak.
The satellite is intended to function for civil and security purposes, which includes mapping and surveillance of borders and the Moroccan coastline. A second Moroccan satellite is planned for launch in 2018.
