Algeria has successfully launched the Alsat-3A satellite, marking a major step forward in the country’s satellite monitoring and geospatial intelligence capabilities.
The launch took place on January 15, 2026, from the Jiuquan Launch Base in China, under a partnership between the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). The operation was supervised from Algeria’s Remote Sensing Satellite Station by Army General Saïd Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, in the presence of senior military officials and Chinese representatives.
According to the Ministry of National Defense, Alsat-3A will provide very high-resolution Earth observation data, supporting advanced geospatial intelligence, mapping, and the development of digital terrain models (DTMs). Algerian experts contributed to the satellite’s development, reflecting national efforts to build domestic space technology expertise.
The mission builds on Algeria’s earlier Earth observation satellites, Alsat-1 (2002), Alsat-2A (2010), and Alsat-2B (2016), further strengthening the country’s capacity in remote sensing and space technology.
