Angola launches ANGEO-1 Earth observation satellite project in France
Date: 2026-03-16
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Mário
Augusto da Silva Oliveira, Angola’s Minister of Telecommunications, Information
Technologies and Social Communication, has presided over the official launch of
the ANGEO-1 Earth observation satellite project at the facilities of Airbus
Defence and Space in Toulouse, France.
The
ceremony marked the start of the construction and launch phase of the
satellite, which forms part of Angola’s national space programme aimed at
strengthening technological sovereignty and expanding the country’s
capabilities in the space sector.
The
Angolan delegation included Zolana João, Director-General of the National Space
Program Management Office, alongside senior officials from the programme and
representatives of the Angolan Embassy in France.
ANGEO-1 will be developed by Airbus using its S250 optical platform and is expected to provide ultra-high-performance earth observation capabilities. The satellite will be the first Angolan national satellite dedicated specifically to Earth observation.
According
to Minister Oliveira, the satellite will enable Angola to obtain direct
sovereign access to more than a thousand high-resolution images daily. The data
generated will support economic development, natural resource management,
environmental monitoring and territorial security.
Officials
say the project represents a major milestone for Angola’s space ambitions,
positioning the country among a growing group of African nations developing
advanced space technology capabilities to support national development and
evidence-based policymaking.
