Algeria announces 2020-2040 space program to launch more satellites

ALGIERS, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) on Monday unveiled the country's 2020-2040 space program to launch several latest-generation satellites.

Azzedine Oussedik, director of the ASAL, told a press conference on the successful launch on Dec. 11 of the Algerian space telecommunications satellite Alcomsat-1 from China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

He explained that this new program will be effective after the completion of the 2006-2020 national space program, which has successfully launched 5 satellites, the latest of which is Alcomsat-1.

Oussedik said the launch of this satellite aims at strengthening the national sovereignty in telecommunications, through the establishment of an efficient and secure network of transmissions.

He added that this satellite allows the continuity of telecommunication services in the event of major natural disasters, increased capacity of the national telecommunications network, and reduction of current operating costs.

The director explained that Alsatcom-1, the result of a partnership with China, has 33 transponders, 9 of which are dedicated to TV and digital radio broadcasting, as well as the provision of distance education, telemedicine and videoconferencing. Enditem