[Photo/Xinhua]China launched a Long March 2C carrier rocket Thursday afternoon, placing a remote-sensing satellite for Algeria into orbit, according to China Great Wall Industry, the project's contractor. China Great Wall Industry is the overseas trading arm of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. Under a contract signed in July 2023 between China Great Wall Industry and the Algerian Space Agency, China will deliver two optical remote-sensing satellites to the North African country and provide ground systems, training and other support services. The launch marks a new milestone in space cooperation between China and Algeria, following the successful launch of the Alcomsat-1 communications satellite in December 2017. The mission was the 626th launch of the Long March rocket family and China's third rocket launch in 2026.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 15, 2026 14:22 UTC