King Mohammed of Morroco

Rabat, Nov. 8, 2017 (AltAfria) – Morocco has successfully launched an earth observation satellite, local media reported on today

Dubbed “Mohammed VI-A,” the satellite was launched from French Guiana Space Center at 0142 GMT, le360.ma news site said.

The three-axis stabilized satellite weighed approximately 1,110 kg at launch. It was developed by a consortium comprising Thales Alenia Space as system prime contractor and Airbus as co-prime.

Thales Alenia Space supplied the payload, including the optical instrument, the image transmission subsystem, and the ground segment for image processing and production.

Airbus was in charge of its integration, as well as supplying the platform and the ground segment for mission planning and satellite control.

The satellite will be used for mapping and land surveying activities, regional development, agricultural monitoring, prevention and management of natural disasters, monitoring changes in the environment and desertification, as well as border and coastal surveillance.