Created by Law No. 88-83 of July 11, 1988, the National Center for Remote Sensing (CNT) is a non-administrative public company under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense, responsible for promoting remote sensing techniques, research and training in its fields.

Its missions were extended by Decree 2004-121 to cover the fields of cartography, geodesy, topography and photogrammetry and gravimetry.

In 2009, and in accordance with Law 2009-24, the designation “National Center for Remote Sensing” provided for by Law No. 88-83 establishing the national remote sensing center was replaced by the designation “National Center for Cartography and of Remote Sensing ”(CNCT).

Other missions were entrusted to the Center, including cartographic production at several scales, aerial photography activities, validation of specifications relating to GIS, technical control of GIS products.