China successfully launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Thursday, marking a milestone in space cooperation between China and Algeria.

A Long March-2C rocket carrying the AlSat-3A satellite lifted off at 12:01p.m. and placed the satellite into its preset orbit.

Developed by China Academy of Space Technology under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the satellite will be used for land planning and disaster prevention and mitigation.

The launch is part of the Algeria remote sensing satellite system program, a joint project between China Great Wall Industry Corporation, a subsidiary of CASC, and the Algerian Space Agency. Signed in July 2023, the agreement includes two optical remote sensing satellites, ground systems, training, and related support services.

It follows the successful delivery of the Alcomsat-1 communication satellite on December 11, 2017, the first space cooperation project between China and Algeria.

This launch marks the 626th flight of the Long March carrier rocket series.