Arianespace’s Vega launch vehicle takes off with the KazEOSat-1 on board. Photo: Arianespace

[Via Satellite 04-30-2014] Kazakhstan’s first Earth observation satellite, KazEOSat 1, built by Airbus Defence and Space, was successfully placed into orbit on board an Arianespace Vega launcher from the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

KazEOSat 1 will provide Kazakhstan a variety of civil applications, such as monitoring natural and agricultural resources, providing mapping data and supporting rescue operations during natural disasters. The satellite is based on the Astrobus platform by Airbus, which is designed for mission capabilities such as imaging, environmental monitoring and meteorology.

KazEOSat 1 is the first piece of a system slated to comprise two satellites and a ground segment. The second satellite, the medium-resolution KazEOSat 2, is being built by SSTL, a British subsidiary of Airbus.