Arianespace launching its Vega rocket, carrying the Mohammed VI – B satellite. Photo: Arianespace

Arianespace successfully launched the Mohammed VI – B Earth observation satellite on Tuesday at 10:42 p.m. local time from the Guiana Space Center (CSG). The satellite was developed for Morocco by a consortium comprising Thales Alenia Space as system prime contractor and Airbus as co-prime.

This was Arianespace’s ninth launch of the year. It was also the 13th successful mission in a row for Vega since it entered service in 2012.

The Mohammed 6-B satellite was placed in the same orbit with its twin satellite, Mohammed 6-A, which was launched one year ago. Morocco plans to use the satellites for land mapping, natural disaster prevention and management, environmental monitoring and border surveillance.