Soyuz launches sharp-eyed Pleiades satellite

A Russian Soyuz rocket has launched from French Guiana - only the second such vehicle to fly out of the territory's new Sinnamary spaceport. The Soyuz put six satellites in orbit, including France's new Pleiades-1 high-resolution imaging spacecraft. This satellite is designed to take pictures that resolve features on the ground as small as 50cm across. The capability will put it on a par with the leading US commercial systems operated by GeoEye and DigitalGlobe. More

(Source: BBC News - Dec 18)