16-10.2003 – Memorandum of Understanding signed between Argentine and Algerian Space Agencies : Last October 16, CoNAE and its counterpart, ASAL, the Algerian Space Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the cooperation of both nations in space technology.
El Last October 16, CoNAE and its counterpart, ASAL, the Algerian Space Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the cooperation of both nations in space technology. The most ambitious apect of the agreement are the provisions made for the construction of an earth-observation satellite called SAC-F/ALSAT-2.
This is the first agreement between both Space Agencies, and its signature took place within the framework of the third meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Commercial, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation between Argentina and Algeria.
The SAC-F/ALSAT-2 satellite will be developed taken into account both the Argentine and Algerian Space progammes, said C. F. Varotto, Executive Director of CoNAE. Details of the new satellite have still to be worked out, but Varotto mentioned the investigation of subjects such as desertification and panoramic epidemiology. The satellite will have a total weight of 700 to 800 kg and will be equipped with very advanced optical cameras.
Provisions for the training of Algerian personnel at the Institute for Higher Space Studies “Mario Gulich” in Córdoba, Argentina, have also been taken into consideration.
The agreement also makes reciprocal provisions for Argentina to make use of the information collected by the present Algerian Spacecraft, ALSAT-1, which is orbiting the Earth since November, 2002, and for Algeria to access those provided by the Argentine Satellite, SAC-C.
The possibility of a joint development of other kinds of satellites, such as communications and geostationary satellites has not been ruled out.
On the occasion of the signature of this MOU, the General Director of the Algerian Space Agency, Dr. Azzedine OUSSEDIK visited the installations of INVAP and expressed his satisfaction at having known what he called “le bijou de l´Argentine”, Argentine´s jewel.
He also recalled that the technological cooperation between both countries began years ago, when INVAP, in the eighties, constructed the very successful nuclear reactor NUR in Algiers.
Present at the signature of the MOU were a number of high dignitaries of the Argentine Government, namely the Secretary of Foreign Relations, Dr, Jorge TAIANA, the Secretary for International Economic Relations, Dr. Hernán Martín PEREZ REDRADO, the Undersecretary for Foreign Relations, Dr. J. J. URANGA, and the Director for International Security, Nuclear and Space Affairs, Dr. Carlos SERSALE DI CERISANO. The Algerian Delegation was headed by the Co-president of the Joint Committee, Secretary General of the Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Abdellatif BABA AHMED.
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