Space technology in Algeria

Algeria has the National Space Technology Center (CNTS), which is located in Harze (northwest). Its role is to ensure the training of calibration and calibrated ratio in geodesy, cartography, photogrammetry and map drawing. In addition, it is carrying out some research projects on space programs recommended by the Algerian Space Agency and approved by the government. At that time, 1 1 researchers participated in the design and production of Alsat-I satellite. The total cost of this huge project is estimated to exceed15 million USD. Another specially trained team stepped in from the Space Center Station to ensure that the rocket operated stably before the electronic equipment it carried was activated. It was from this space station that the first contact with the Alsat- 1 satellite was established only 90 minutes after it was put into orbit.

The Alsat- 1 satellite was actually put into operation on June 5, 2002+February 6+July, when the National Space Technology Center (CNTS) received the first clear images. Since then, it has transmitted more than 1000 satellite images to different users. For example, the losses of many natural disasters have been successfully estimated: the 2003 earthquake in Algiers and its surrounding areas; The 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. For local and international needs, it regularly sends various images, one dinar per square kilometer, that is, a standard picture of 300 square kilometers is 90,000 dinars (about 1000 euros).

The Alsat- 1 satellite has an on-orbit height of 686km, a weight of about 92kg and a radiation radius of about 650km. It transmits multi-scene images of three colors (green, red and near infrared), with an average spatial resolution of 32 meters GSD or ground template distance, and repeats every five days.

Besides, Algerian microsatellite is the first international system satellite to track the Earth, and other countries include Britain, Viet Nam, China, Nigeria, Thailand and Turkey. These satellites were put into the same orbit, forming the first international constellations, which are used to track natural disasters or disasters caused by human beings, and are called disaster monitoring constellations (DMC).

The system can rely on the rapid warning device to predict natural disasters and track and analyze the development of the situation. The seven countries that make up DMC can visit the images and photos covering the whole world every day to mitigate the impact of disasters, conduct long-distance exploration in their own territories and conduct space commercial development activities. This device is conducive to development and international cooperation among developing countries.

For Algeria, the Alsat- 1 satellite is of great significance. Because it is very difficult to track and explore the territory of more than 25 million square kilometers (the second largest country in Africa). Through different applications, these latest technologies play an inestimable role in the long-term development of the country.

Algeria made good use of this opportunity, overcame its huge backwardness and found solutions to various problems in the following fields: education, training, marine and atmospheric pollution, telecommunications, development and utilization of natural resources, application of meteorology and climate, urban and rural infrastructure and territorial improvement.

Similarly, these latest technologies can optimize their ability to control natural resources, such as water, hydrocarbons and mineral resources to be vigorously developed. In this regard, a series of cooperation agreements have been signed with relevant ministries.

On the basis of the first batch of experience, it is ready to launch another bold 15-year (from 2006 to 2020) space development plan, with the goal of helping the country meet the needs of emergency development. In addition to launching other satellites with higher power, the development plan stipulates that a small satellite development center (UDPS) will be built in Bir-el-Djir near Oran (northwest), where future microsatellites will be assembled. This is a challenge to microsatellite technology. In this regard, in addition to continuing cooperation and exchanges with Britain, we should also carry out many space cooperation with other countries such as South Africa, Argentina, Russia or the United States.

Algeria signed an important agreement with France: between CNTS and EADS AS Triem, France, based on two optical observation satellites, the Alsat-2 system satellite was developed; Alsat-2A satellite will be tested in France and put into French satellite orbit; The Alsat-2B satellite will be merged into the satellite in UDPS, Algeria.