A Russian-made rocket has put anobservation satellite into orbit after blasting off from a European spaceconsortium's launchpad in French Guiana.
Arianespace says the Pleiades 1B satellite was put intoorbit during a 55-minute flight by a Soyuz rocket late Saturday.
The satellite will provide optical images of Earth forFrench and European defense ministries and others. France's CNES space agencyis the main contractor for the Pleiades satellites.
Arianespace says it's the fourth mission by a Russian-madeSoyuz rocket from French Guiana since its introduction to the South Americansite in October 2011.
The company has 21 shareholders from 10 European countries,including France's CNES space agency.
Arianespace chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall says 23payloads have been placed into orbit from French Guiana this year.