Algeria’s Space Programme for the Sustainable Development
- Paper number
IAC-06-B5.1.04
- Author
Mr. Bekhti Mohammed, Centre National des Techniques Spatiales, Algeria
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Algeria’s Space Programme for the Sustainable Development Abstract Small satellites are becoming increasingly important in the context of capability building in space technology for the developing countries. The use of commercial of the shelf technology and focus on specific missions can speed up the development process, providing faster and relatively cheaper access to space. This paper describes a highly successful small satellite programme which has also demonstrated a rapid, cost effective method of transferring expertise in spacecraft engineering, satellite orbital manoeuvres and orbital operations for a core team of eleven engineers from the National Centre of Space Techniques using Alsat-1, Algeria’s first enhanced earth observation microsatellite. The approach was based on “learning by doing “ in a sense that the know how transfer team had to entirely construct and fully test their own training model (TM) which represents one of SSTL’s recent microsatellite missions. The TM microsatellite uses a modular multipurpose bus capable of supporting communications and earth observation payloads. The Alsat-1 programme also allowed Algeria to be an active member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation Consortium (DMCC) which comprises four other countries, China, Nigeria, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Along with SSTL, each organization has built an advanced yet low cost earth observation microsatellite to form the first ever constellation specifically designed and dedicated to monitoring natural and man made disasters. The first DMC microsatellite, AlSAT-1 of Algeria, was launched November 28, 2002. Satellites for the United Kingdom, Turkey and Nigeria, built under a know how transfer and training (KHTT) program at Surrey, were launched September 27, 2003. The China DMC+4 satellite was launched on October 27, 2005. Following the impressive success of Alsat-1, the Algerian government decided to put in place a Space Agency with main tasks, the promotion of space activities for the pacific use of the outer space. This was followed and supported by the ALSAT-2 programme which covers the design and development of two satellites. The first, ALSAT-2A, will be integrated and tested in France at EADS Astrium, whereas the second, ALSAT-2B, will be integrated in Algeria within the small satellite development center (UDPS) in Oran. The ALSAT-2 programme also includes the construction of two ground control segments and one image station allowing the satellites to be operated and controlled from the Algerian territory. ALSAT-2 is equipped with a latest generation payload capable of supplying images with a resolution of 2.5 metres in panchromatic mode and 10 metres in each of 4 colour bands in multispectral mode. It is based on EADS Astrium’s extensive experience in earth observation, most particularly with respect to the silicon carbide telescopes which are being integrated onto a Myriade class satellite platform which was designed in cooperation with CNES, the French Space agency. The CNTS will be responsible for managing the ALSAT-2 programme and operating the satellite system. The system will enable Algeria to obtain very high quality images for use in a wide variety of applications: cartography, agriculture, forestry, water, mining and oil resources, crop protection, management of natural disasters and land planning. The cooperation agreement makes provision for Algerian engineers to work side-by-side to the EADS Astrium team. They will be given intensive training in space technology. The ALSAT-2 contract lays the foundation for sustained co-operation with Algerian institutions in the fields of space technology for earth observation and its applications. The primary conclusions of this paper are that small satellite programmes can provide low cost, rapid response access to the space environment and an ideal technology transfer mechanism for countries with low financial inputs for space and wishing to take their first steps toward a national space programme.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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