Would ANGEO-1 Development Be a Rewarding Endeavour for Angola?

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Angosat-2 aboard the Proton-M Blok DM-03 rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Source: GGPEN

2025 began strongly for Angola’s space programme with a EUR 225.6 million financial agreement between Angola and France to fund ANGEO-1, the country’s first high-resolution Earth observation (EO) satellite. This satellite project aligns seamlessly with Angola’s vision to become a key player in space technology, marking yet another milestone in its journey to strengthen its space capabilities and secure a foothold in the global space arena.

Funding Breakdown and Historical Context

The funding agreement includes two loans: EUR 35.27 million and EUR 189.99 million. These funds cover all aspects of the satellite project, including construction, launch, and orbital operations. The journey to this milestone began six years ago, starting with mission conceptualisation and eventually contracting Airbus Defence and Space in March 2023 to develop the satellite. 

This is not Airbus’s first project with Angola. The French manufacturer provided the communication payload for the country’s communication satellite, Angosat-2, launched in 2022. Angosat-2 was Angola’s replacement comsat for Angosat-1, which failed in orbit four months after launch. The satellite was built by the Russian manufacturer ISS RESHETNEV, which developed the service platform (i.e., the satellite bus, which is essentially the satellite’s structural and functional base, housing subsystems like power, propulsion, and thermal control), and Airbus Defense and Space, which developed the payload (communication equipment).

ANGEO-1: Airbus’ Compact Powerhouse for Precision Earth Observation

The ANGEO-1 will be an optical satellite built on Airbus’ S250 series, a platform developed from over 30 years of experience in space systems. Designed for Earth observation, the S250 series is lightweight, agile, and capable of high-resolution imaging, often reaching sub-meter resolution. This makes it ideal for missions requiring detailed and precise data.

The ANGEO-1 will operate for eight years and can capture over 110 images daily, with a 5 x 7 km² footprint and 0.5m spatial resolution. Its agility allows it to adjust at 30° in just 15 seconds, enabling rapid targeting of specific areas. Furthermore, the satellite’s resolution is estimated at 0.5 metres in panchromatic mode and 2 metres in multispectral mode, supporting multiple spectral bands including Blue, Green, Red, and Near-Infrared (NIR).

Airbus has not released full technical details of the S250 series, as much of the data is proprietary. However, the platform has been used in notable projects like the OneWeb satellites and the French CO3D constellation, demonstrating its reliability and versatility. The ANGEO-1, like other S250 satellites, is modular and typically operates in Sun-Synchronous Orbits, making it suitable for a wide range of Earth observation applications. Thus, combining high performance with a compact design, the ANGEO-1 meets the growing demand for small, agile satellites capable of delivering detailed and actionable Earth observation data.

Joining Africa’s Elite in Advanced EO Satellites

Once operational, ANGEO-1 will become one of Africa’s most advanced EO satellites, positioning Angola as a leading space power on the continent. The project also includes the development of an advanced national space data centre, enabling Angola to provide space imagery and geo-intelligence services to government departments, state agencies, and private-sector clients. This also crosscuts Angola’s ambitions to leverage space technology for national development and regional influence.

Only a few African nations operate satellites with comparable technical capabilities to ANGEO-1. Egypt and Morocco are among the leaders in this field. Morocco’s MOHAMMED VI-A and MOHAMMED VI-B satellites, developed jointly by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space, are prime examples. Additionally, Morocco recently signed a USD 1 billion agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to utilise the Ofek 13 (Ofeq-13) satellite. This satellite features Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, enabling high-resolution imaging with up to 0.5-metre resolution. SAR allows imaging in any weather condition, day or night, making it a reliable tool for continuous surveillance.

Click here to explore Space in Africa’s database of Africa’s past and future satellite projects. 

Egypt’s EgyptSat-A, an upgraded version of EgyptSat-2, features improved optics, enhanced pointing accuracy, and advanced communication systems. The satellite is designed for high-resolution Earth observation, with a resolution of up to 1 metre (panchromatic) and 4 metres (multispectral). It supports spectral bands, including blue, green, red, and near-infrared, with a swath width of approximately 140 km at an altitude of 668 km. Its revisit time is around four days, making it a valuable asset for national development and regional leadership in Earth observation.

With ANGEO-1, Angola joins an elite group of African nations that leverage advanced satellite technology for strategic and developmental purposes. The satellite’s capabilities, combined with the planned space data centre, will enhance Angola’s ability to monitor and manage resources, support decision-making, and contribute to regional space initiatives.

Key Benefits of the ANGEO-1 Satellite for National Development

ANGEO-1 will enhance Angola’s capabilities in key areas such as agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and defence. For agriculture, it will support crop monitoring, land-use planning, and yield estimation. In environmental monitoring, the satellite will aid in drought tracking and disaster response, aligning with Angola’s developmental goals and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  

Furthermore, the continuous data and imagery from the mission will support Angola’s existing Earth observation applications, such as Tech Ecologia, Tech Agro, etc., by supplying high-quality imagery tailored to the country’s needs. Additionally, it lays the groundwork for addressing various other developmental areas. Angola effectively implements these applications by utilising imagery from Airbus’ satellite constellation.

Angolan Earth Observation Applications. Source: GGPEN

The satellite will also reduce Angola’s reliance on external EO data providers, saving millions of dollars annually. This independence ensures access to accurate, timely, and tailored data, effectively empowering Angola to address its unique challenges.  

Will ANGEO-1 Become A White Elephant Project? 

To assess whether ANGEO-1 will succeed, it is essential to examine Angola’s track record with previous space projects. The country has invested in several large-scale space infrastructure initiatives, including the Satellite Mission Control Center (MCC) in Funda, Angosat-1, and its replacement, Angosat-2, which are being operationalised by the country’s space agency, the National Space Programme Management Office (GGPEN). Evidence suggests that Angola fully commits to achieving tangible results from these investments.  

On 27 January 2023, President João Lourenço inaugurated Angola’s first MCC in Funda, Luanda. Equipped with state-of-the-art communication systems and operated entirely by Angolan engineers and technicians, the facility fulfils its purpose, including providing telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) services for Angosat-2. The MCC’s ability to simultaneously communicate with three satellites opens opportunities for ground station-as-a-service, potentially generating additional revenue.  

Angosat-1, Angola’s first satellite, experienced a communication failure shortly after launch and was declared a total loss. However, Russia covered the cost of its replacement, Angosat-2, through an insurance package included in the original USD 300 million contract. Launched in October 2022, Angosat-2 now provides coverage to at least 11 Angolan provinces in the Ku-band and has deployed over 200 VSAT terminals. It also serves operations in three African countries, including Zambia, with seven local operators using its services.  

The satellite has enabled free internet connectivity for hospitals, schools, universities, and government offices in 14 provinces, including Uíge, Cuando Cubango, Huíla, and Luanda, promoting socio-economic growth. Discussions are also underway to integrate Angosat-2 into Angola’s security infrastructure, providing secure communication networks for the armed forces.  

The pilot phase of Connecta Angola is already operational in Bela Vista, Bié Province, where students and local institutions benefit from free internet access. The project aims to expand to other underserved regions, bridging the digital divide and supporting economic development.  

Given Angola’s demonstrated ability to operationalise and benefit from its space infrastructure, ANGEO-1 is unlikely to become a white elephant project. Instead, it represents a strategic step toward enhancing Angola’s Earth observation capabilities, supporting national development, and reducing dependency on external data providers.

Conclusion

ANGEO-1 is a transformative initiative for Angola, with the potential to advance the nation’s space capabilities, drive socio-economic development, and position Angola as a key player in Africa’s space landscape. Furthermore, the satellite’s high-resolution data will empower Angola to address critical challenges in agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster response. Its success will build on the lessons learned from projects like Angosat-2 and the Funda Mission Control Center, demonstrating Angola’s growing expertise in space technology.  

With ANGEO-1, Angola is reducing its reliance on external data providers and creating opportunities for regional collaboration and revenue generation. This project underscores Angola’s unwavering commitment to using space technology for sustainable development and solidifies its role as a leader in Africa’s emerging space sector. As ANGEO-1 becomes operational, it will catalyse innovation, economic growth, and improved quality of life for Angolans.