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Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) announced the successful launch of AlSat-1B, a medium resolution Earth observation satellite for ASAL, the Algerian Space Agency. AlSat-1B is a small satellite with a mass of 100kg and was launched into a 670km sun-synchronous orbit on board the PSLV launch vehicle from the Sriharikota launch site in India on 26 September. Following separation from the launch vehicle, SSTL and ASAL are pleased to confirm successful contact was made with AlSat-1B via SSTL’s ground station in Svalbard, and all initial system checks are nominal. A joint team of SSTL and ASAL engineers are undertaking commissioning of the spacecraft from SSTL’s Spacecraft Operations Centre in Guildford, UK. After commissioning is complete, daily satellite operations and data downloads will be undertaken from ASAL’s Satellite Design Centre at Oran in Algeria. www.sstl.co.uk
