China launched a satellite for Algeria late Friday where a Long March 2C rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 11:01 p.m. Eastern, January 30 (0401 UTC, January 31).
The state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced the launch success, revealing the payload to be the Algerian Remote Sensing Satellite-3B, also known as AlSat-3B.
The launch follows the January 14 launch of AlSat-3A. The pair are designed to provide very high resolution capabilities dedicated to observation and strengthen capabilities in geospatial intelligence, according to Algerian press reports.
Both satellites were developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a major CASC subsidiary.
Within the framework of the constant consolidation and development of national capabilities in the field of space surveillance, and to finalize the architecture of the Alsat-3 high-resolution ground surveillance system, General Saïd Chanegriha, Algerian Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence, Chief of Staff of People’s National Army, observed the launch of the second “Alsat-3B” satellite, at the ground remote sensing station, the Algerian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
At the beginning, and after the welcoming ceremony, presented by Major General Ali Sidane, Commander of the 1st Military Region, General Saïd Chanegriha attended presentations and detailed explanations on the “Alsat-3B” satellite, in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China, the Director of the Algerian Space Agency and the Chiefs of departments and central directors of the Ministry of National Defence and the General Staff of PNA.
Then, the General observed the launch of the “Alsat-3B” satellite and delivered a speech in which he conveyed the audience the congratulations and encouragement of the President of the Republic, who closely monitored all stages of preparation and implementation of this project, which deserves to be a source of pride for all the Algerian people:
“Following the successful launch of the Alsat-3B satellite, which we witnessed this morning, Saturday, 31st January 2026, and which comes after the launch of the Alsat-3A satellite on 15th January, I am pleased to convey to you the congratulations and the encouragement of Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, President of the Republic, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defence, who has shown particular interest in this project and closely monitored all the stages of preparation and implementation of such achievements.”
“I also wish to extend, on my own behalf, my warmest congratulations to the staff and the personnel of the Algerian Space Agency, as well as to the various services and expertise of People’s National Army, who contributed to the realization of these projects,” he added.
These major achievements also constitute a new stage in the process of building a new and triumphant Algeria, as evidenced, for example, by what we will witness tomorrow in Gara Djebilet, on the occasion of the inauguration of the railway line linking Béchar and Tindouf which will contribute significantly to the exploitation of this important mine and will thus reflect the true image of an emerging Algeria, sovereign in its choices and decisions”.
General Chanegriha also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China for the sincere commitment shown by People’s Republic of China to cooperation with his country, both for the realization of this ambitious project and for the various structuring projects contributing to the country’s development momentum. (Sources & Photo ©: Algerian Ministry of National Defense; China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation)
