Algeria successfully placed the Alsat-3B satellite into orbit, just two weeks after launching Alsat-3A, marking a rapid expansion of the country’s national space program. The launch was conducted from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and monitored from Algiers via the national remote sensing ground station.
Army General Saïd Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the National People’s Army, congratulated the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) and the armed forces for the accomplishment. “I urge them to build on the knowledge and experience gained to fully master these satellites and continue developing space technologies in Algeria,” Chanegriha said.
Alsat-3B, developed in collaboration with China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, strengthens Algeria’s national satellite constellation, which already includes Alsat-1B, 1N, 2A, 2B, and 3A. The high-resolution Earth observation satellite will support national mapping, digital elevation models, and strategic applications such as natural resource management, disaster prevention, and environmental monitoring.
The launch reinforces Algeria’s digital and strategic sovereignty by reducing dependence on foreign satellite data. Analysts say this contributes to the country’s ability to independently manage geospatial intelligence and satellite communications, a priority in Algeria’s National Space Program, which emphasizes structured, peaceful, and sustainable space development while building domestic capabilities.
At the continental level, Africa’s space economy is projected to reach $22.64 billion by 2026, according to Space in Africa. Experts say Earth observation and satellite communications are increasingly used to tackle structural challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and infrastructure gaps. Satellite data offers cost-effective solutions for agricultural planning, disaster management, and urban development.
The Alsat-3 program also serves as a workforce development initiative. Active involvement of ASAL and the National People’s Army in operating and managing the satellites provides technical training for a specialized domestic workforce, enhancing Algeria’s ability to operate and export high-value space services across the continent.
“Developing local expertise in satellite technology is just as important as the satellites themselves,” said a space industry analyst in Algiers. “It positions Algeria to maintain operational control over its assets and to contribute to regional capacity building.”
The rapid succession of Alsat-3A and 3B launches signals Algeria’s ambition to consolidate its position among Africa’s leading space actors, alongside Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. The expanded satellite constellation opens opportunities for regional collaboration, enabling neighboring African countries to utilize geospatial data for food security, resource management, and territorial planning.
More Read
Alsat-3B’s applications extend to disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure planning, reflecting Algeria’s dual focus on domestic development and continental cooperation. The program highlights the strategic potential of space technology in addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges.
Algeria’s approach combines domestic technical control, operational expertise, and international partnerships, a model increasingly common in Africa’s emerging space sector. Analysts say that as more African countries invest in satellite technology, regional cooperation on Earth observation, communications, and navigation systems could create a more integrated continental space infrastructure.
With Alsat-3B joining its active fleet, Algeria demonstrates its commitment to expanding national space capabilities, fostering local talent, and enhancing sovereignty over critical data. The program underscores the growing role of space technology in Africa’s economic, environmental, and security planning while reinforcing Algeria’s position as a continental leader in geospatial intelligence.
