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Earth-observation imagery supports locust control, forest-fire prevention, water management and desertification monitoring.
ALSAT is Algeria's series of Earth-observation satellites. National space policy dates from 1987, when the Centre national des techniques spatiales (CNTS) was created; the programme is now run by the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL). Early uses named by ASAL include locust control, forest-fire prevention, water management and desertification monitoring.
ALSAT is Algeria's series of Earth-observation satellites. National space policy dates from 1987, when the Centre national des techniques spatiales (CNTS) was created; the programme is now run by the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL). Early uses named by ASAL include locust control, forest-fire prevention, water management and desertification monitoring.
ALSAT-1, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) with CNTS on the Microsat-100 platform (about 90 kg), launched on 28 November 2002 on a Kosmos-3M from Plesetsk, Russia. It carried a 32 m imager in three bands and was the first satellite of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation. It was switched off in August 2010.
ALSAT-2 came from a February 2006 contract with EADS Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) for two Myriade-bus satellites carrying the NAOMI camera (2.5 m panchromatic, 10 m multispectral). ALSAT-2A was built and tested in France and launched on 12 July 2010 on India's PSLV. ALSAT-2B was put together in Algeria at the satellite development centre in Oran, and launched on 26 September 2016 on PSLV-C35. Two satellites were launched alongside it: ALSAT-1B, an SSTL-100 satellite (12 m panchromatic, 24 m multispectral) that 18 ASAL engineers assembled in Algeria, and ALSAT-1N, a 3U teaching CubeSat from the University of Surrey funded by the UK Space Agency.
The third generation came from a July 2023 contract with China, which covers two optical satellites plus ground systems, training and support. The China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) built them, with China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) as prime contractor. ALSAT-3A (about 500 kg) launched on 15 January 2026 and ALSAT-3B on 30 January 2026 (Beijing time; some sources give 31 January). Both flew on Long March 2C rockets from Jiuquan and went into sun-synchronous orbit. Neither ASAL nor the press has published their resolution beyond "high resolution". Ecofin counts six Algerian Earth-observation satellites now in service: 1B, 1N, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B.
What comes next: the National Space Programme 2020–2040 aims to keep imaging coverage at very high, high and medium resolution, to move towards building future systems almost entirely in Algeria, and to launch Alcomsat-2. ASAL has not named the next ALSAT satellite.
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1987 (year only)
Algeria created the Centre national des techniques spatiales (CNTS), the start of its national space policy. The programme is now run by the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL).
Why it matters: Shows a 35-year state commitment to space, which gives suppliers a stable, long-term customer.
28 November 2002
ALSAT-1, a 90 kg Microsat-100 satellite built by SSTL with CNTS, launched on a Kosmos-3M from Plesetsk, Russia. It carried a 32 m three-band imager.
Why it matters: First satellite of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation, a model of shared imaging that other emerging space nations have since copied.
February 2006 (month only)
Algeria contracted EADS Astrium (now Airbus Defence and Space) for two Myriade-bus satellites carrying the NAOMI camera (2.5 m panchromatic, 10 m multispectral). The contract included building the second satellite in Algeria.
Why it matters: A clear example of a buyer using a satellite purchase to win local assembly skills and facilities.
12 July 2010
ALSAT-2A, built and tested in France, launched on India's PSLV.
Why it matters: Moved Algeria from medium to high-resolution imaging, opening uses in mapping, farming and urban planning.
August 2010 (month only)
ALSAT-1 was switched off after almost eight years in orbit.
Why it matters: A useful benchmark of service life for a small imaging satellite with a planned five-year life.
26 September 2016
ALSAT-2B, put together at the satellite development centre in Oran, launched on PSLV-C35.
Why it matters: First Algerian-assembled high-resolution satellite; Oran became a regional asset for satellite integration work.
26 September 2016
ALSAT-1B, an SSTL-100 satellite (12 m panchromatic, 24 m multispectral) assembled in Algeria by 18 ASAL engineers, flew with ALSAT-1N, a 3U teaching CubeSat from the University of Surrey funded by the UK Space Agency.
Why it matters: A training-led model: buyer engineers assemble the satellite themselves, building a local workforce for future work.
July 2023 (month only)
Algeria signed with China for two optical satellites plus ground systems, training and support. CAST built them, with China Great Wall Industry Corporation as prime contractor.
Why it matters: Marks a supplier shift from Europe to China for the third generation; European and Chinese suppliers now compete for the next one.
15 January 2026
ALSAT-3A (about 500 kg) launched on a Long March 2C from Jiuquan into sun-synchronous orbit. Its resolution has only been published as "high resolution".
Why it matters: First of the new generation; image quality and data sales policy are still to be seen.
30 January 2026 (Beijing time; some sources give 31 January)
ALSAT-3B launched on a second Long March 2C from Jiuquan, two weeks after ALSAT-3A.
Why it matters: Two launches in two weeks show China can deliver a full constellation fast, a selling point to other emerging buyers.
February 2026 (month only)
Ecofin counted six Algerian Earth-observation satellites in service: ALSAT-1B, 1N, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B.
Why it matters: One of Africa's largest national imaging fleets, with growing demand for ground stations, data processing and image analysis.
Programme period 2020–2040 (no date for next satellite)
The National Space Programme 2020–2040 aims to keep very high, high and medium-resolution coverage and to build future systems almost entirely in Algeria. ASAL has not named the next ALSAT satellite.
What to watch: the call for the next satellite, and how much work it reserves for Algerian industry.
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Partner list drawn from manufacturer, agency and specialist sources as of 7 Nov 2026. ALSAT-3 resolution and platform have not been officially published.
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| Compared item | Resolution | Orbit | Builder / launcher | Launch | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALSAT-2A/2B (reference) | 2.5 m pan / 10 m MS | ~672 km SSO | Airbus (Astrium) / PSLV | 2010, 2016 | ASAL |
| NigeriaSat-2 (Nigeria) | 2.5 m pan / 5 m MS, 20 km swath | 693 × 728 km, 98.26° | SSTL (SSTL-300) / Dnepr | 17 Aug 2011 | NASRDA |
| EgyptSat-A (Egypt) | about 1 m | about 650 km polar, 98° | RSC Energia / Soyuz-2.1b Fregat | 21 Feb 2019 | NARSS |
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