China and Algeria celebrate 65 years of diplomatic ties in 2023, with the two countries on track to strengthen in-depth exchanges and their strategic partnership. In 2017, China launched Algeria’s first communications satellite, the Alcomsat-1.
The Alcomsat-1 satellite, built by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in December 2017. The satellite has been used by Algeria for various purposes, including broadcast and television, emergency communication, distance education, e-governance, enterprise communication, broadband access, and satellite-based navigation.
The satellite, based on the DFH-4 platform with 33 satellite transponders, has a design life of 15 years. It has played a crucial role in enhancing Algeria’s national telecommunications sovereignty and establishing an efficient and secure transmission network.
Alcomsat-1 has benefited over 27,000 schools and 3,700 hospitals in Algeria, providing high-speed interconnection between sites in remote areas where terrestrial telecommunication infrastructure is lacking. The satellite has also attracted interest from other countries, such as Mauritania and Tunisia, who seek to benefit from its telecommunication services.
With high-availability satellite links and high-quality applications, Alcomsat-1 broadcasts high-definition programming to public TV channels and over 50 radio channels in Algeria and other countries. Its impact is evident in the pride Algerians have for the satellite, as it is featured on the new 500 dinar denomination banknotes of Algeria.
The successful delivery of Alcomsat-1 is a testament to the strong cooperation between China and Algeria in the aerospace field. Yang Baohua, the deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, expressed China’s anticipation for further substantive cooperation with Algeria in other aerospace projects.
Azzedine Oussedik, the director of the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL), highlighted the satellite’s contribution to strengthening Algeria’s national sovereignty in telecommunications and ensuring economic sustainable development through an efficient and secure transmission network. Additionally, China has provided training to 323 Algerian technicians to operate the satellite and develop future applications, fostering the sustainable development of Algeria’s space technology.
Overall, the launch of the Alcomsat-1 communications satellite has significantly boosted development in Algeria, enabling enhanced communication, education, governance, and healthcare services. It has also demonstrated the strong partnership between China and Algeria in the aerospace field and opened up opportunities for future collaboration.
Source: https://fagenwasanni.com/ai/chinas-satellite-boosts-development-in-algeria/60817/