China successfully launched Algeria’s first-ever communications satellite, marking the first time an Arab nation has received such a spacecraft “export” from China.
The Long March 3B carrier rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center located in Sichuan, a province in Southwest China, at 12:40 am. After approximately 26 minutes of soaring, it positioned the Alcomsat-1, Algeria’s premier communications satellite, into the geostationary transfer orbit. This information was released by the China Great Wall Industry Corp, the primary contractor for the project.
On the successful completion of the mission, congratulatory messages were exchanged between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
In his message, Jinping stated that the satellite project was a significant symbol of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Algeria. It has set a positive example for space cooperation between China and the Arab world, and it will play a crucial role in fostering Algeria’s socio-economic growth, he added.
Jinping also expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with Algeria in enhancing exchanges and cooperation across various sectors, thereby strengthening the bilateral relationship for the mutual benefit of their nations and citizens.
Bouteflika echoed Jinping’s sentiments, praising Alcomsat-1 as a significant achievement in the realm of space cooperation between the two nations and a reflection of their deep-rooted friendship. He expressed Algeria’s desire to strengthen ties with China.
The satellite project was initiated with a contract signed in December 2013 between the Algerian Space Agency and China Great Wall Industry Corp, the largest space contractor in China’s international market.
Alcomsat-1 was conceptualized and developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, using the DFH-4 satellite platform as a foundation.
The satellite, weighing 5.2 metric tons and having a projected lifespan of 15 years, will provide a wide range of public services. These include television broadcasting, emergency communication, remote education, and satellite-based signal augmentation as per the information provided by Great Wall Industry.
Fu Zhiheng, vice-president of the company, asserted that Alcomsat-1 matches Western communications satellites in terms of technological prowess and capacity. He also mentioned the existence of other contracts with Arab nations but didn’t provide further details.
