Algeria To Launch A Counterespionage Satellite

Algeria is preparing to launch a new satellite from China that will be directed to provide telecommunications and Internet service, and serving military and strategic needs as well.

The satellite Alcom Sat 1, which will be launched soon from China, will not only provide access to Internet in Algeria but will also serve the “military and strategic” needs, according to media.

According to the website “Spice Sky Rocket”, the project was announced in 2016 and two ground monitoring stations were built, one in Medea and the second in Ouargla, and will be operated by Algerian engineers that were trained in China.

In September 2016, the Algerian space agency announced that it plans to launch the first Algerian satellite for communications “Alcom Sat 1” from China in 2017.

General Manager of the Agency, Ousaddik Azzeddine, said that Algeria is determined to stop the monopoly of foreign satellites and benefit from the services of an Algerian satellite that will provide the service of communication, Internet and broadcast radio and television channels with high accuracy.

Ouseddik added: “This satellite is the first of its kind and provides many services that allow the modernization of telecommunications in Algeria”, asserting that it will be one of the symbols of national sovereignty, as it will allow Algeria to be independent in the field of telecommunications from any country.

The satellite will also provide telephone supervision and protection from any possible penetration or espionage on Algeria, and improving the phone and internet services, which will increase its flow, as the satellite will be a backbone of the fiber that are used for Internet transmission.

The same source confirmed that the scope of coverage of this satellite will not be limited to Algeria only, but it will include the North African countries, and will allow the guarantee of broadcasting for the accredited satellite channels.

“Service that is provided by the center will remain commercial, whether for public or private, national or even foreign institutions”.

The Algerian space agency announced, at the end of September 2016, the launch of three satellites from the platform “Sriharikota” in India, that aimed at supporting scientific research such as natural disaster monitoring and development support.

Previously, Algeria launched two satellites, the first ALSAT 1 on November,28, 2002 from the Russian launch base Plessetsk Cosmodrome and the second ALSAT 2 in 2010 from the Sriharikota site in Chennai in the Bay of Bengal.