Satellite launched to monitor climate change and vegetation

They were launched from Korou, in French Guiana, at 10:56 pm (0136 GMT).

The Vegetation and Environment monitoring on a New Micro Satellite — or Venus — is a joint effort between France’s National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and Israel’s space agency.

Venus will photograph 110 specific sites across the world every two days for two-and-a-half years, charting the impact of climate change on ecosystems and agriculture as well as studying carbon stocks and plant evolution.

The other satellite is on a reconnaissance mission for Italy’s defence ministry.