Arianespace has launched its new Sentinel-2B earth observation satellite into space from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA).

An Arianespace Vega rocket deployed the Sentinel-2B satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit during the launch operation, which lasted approximately 58 minutes.

The newly launched satellite is part of the European Union’s Copernicus environmental monitoring system, and will provide continuous, independent and reliable Earth observation data to Europe.

The 1.1t satellite was built by an Airbus-led consortium of companies with support from French space agency CNES and German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

European Space Agency director General Jan Woerner said: “With this launch we are taking another step toward advancing the Copernicus programme, which is the most sophisticated Earth observation system in the world.

"With this launch we are taking another step toward advancing the Copernicus programme, which is the most sophisticated Earth observation system in the world."

“We are also planning to add two more satellites to the constellation in the next months: with Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-3B.”

The agency noted that Sentinel-2B is equipped with a high-resolution multispectral camera, with 13 spectral bands to monitor land and vegetation around the globe.

Data to be provided by the mission will also be used to help improve agricultural practices, monitor the world’s forests, detect pollution in lakes and coastal waters, and contribute to disaster mapping.

ESA launched two identical satellites Sentinel-2A in 2015, as part of its Sentinel-2 environmental monitoring mission.

Image: A Vega rocket lifting off ESA’s Sentinel-2B satellite into space. Photo: courtesy of Arianespace.