Alcomsat-1 and VRSS-2 Delivered to Customers

The Algeria’s communications satellite, Alcomsat-1, was delivered to the customer. The in-orbit delivery ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) on April l with the Chinese and Algerian parties signing an Alcomsat-1 in-orbit delivery certificate.

The satellite was launched at 00:40 Beijing time on December 11, 2017 atop a LM-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. After orbital maneuver the satellite was positioned at 24.8 degrees west longitude on December 18. The two parties conducted in-orbit testing together and finished the review of the in-orbit testing. On March 1, the Algerian party confirmed the satellite in-orbit delivery.

The Alcomsat-1 project was the 9th in-orbit delivery communications satellite contract signed between China and an international customer as well as the first cooperation in space field between the two countries.

Alcomsat-1 satellite is preparing for launch

The satellite with coverage of Algeria and its surrounding areas is the first communications satellite of Algeria. It will be mainly used in the area of broadcasting, television, emergency communications, tele-education, e-government, broadband access and satellitebased navigation enhancement services for the Algerian people, thus improving Algerian infrastructure, providing benefits to people living in the remote areas and enhancing the quality of life.

In addition to the Alcomsat-1 satellite, another China-made satellite was recently delivered to an overseas customer. The ceremony for the delivery of the VRSS-2 remote sensing satellite project was held in Caracas, capital of Venezuela. The Ministry of People’s Power for the University Education Science and Technology of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Venezuelan Space Agency, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and China Great Wall Industry Corporation signed the VRSS-2 project delivery certificate.

The Venezuelan party highly praised the cooperative achievements of the two countries, and expressed its gratitude for China’s help to Venezuela in developing space technology and other hi-tech sectors and announced that Venezuela will continue cooperation with China for its 4th satellite development.