Algeria announces satellite launch; Senegal announces launch plans

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Satellite Networks; 19 January 2026; 8044 views

African space strategies are again in the news after last week’s reports of the latest satellite launch in Algeria and the announcement of plans for the launch of Senegal’s second satellite some time this year.

Algeria has, in the past week, put its third Earth observation satellite, Alsat-3A, into orbit. It launched from a base in China.

Developed through a partnership between the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, Alsat-3A is designed to deliver high-resolution images with a 17.5-kilometre observation swathe and a revisit time of three days.

Reports say that these features are intended to enhance national mapping, digital elevation models, and a range of strategic uses linked to land planning, natural resource management, and major risk prevention.

Algeria ranks among the continent’s most active satcoms players, alongside Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco and Angola.

In West Africa, meanwhile, Senegal plans to launch a second satellite, GAINDESAT-1B, in 2026. We reported on the launch of its predecessor GAINDESAT-1A, Senegal’s first satellite, in August 2024.

Like the Algerian satellite it will collect environmental data and imagery, which officials say can support natural resource management, territorial monitoring and climate observation.

The new satellite builds on GAINDESAT-1A’s environmental and monitoring capabilities, while the overall project is said to be part of efforts to develop local expertise.

According to the Ecofin news agency, more than 21 African countries now operate space programmes, with 18 having launched at least one satellite, bringing the continent’s total to about 65 satellites. More than 120 additional satellites are currently under development.