Satellite launched to monitor environmental data

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched a satellite from their site in French Guiana as part of a program to monitor environmental data and improve disaster response. It's the first of 6 satellite launches for Copernicus, a satellite program started by the European Commission and ESA. "We can certainly improve a lot the capabilities of predicting, for example, earthquakes etc.," said program manager Guido Levrini. "Of course, it's not the magic recipe to prevent disaster from happening but, importantly, it will help the rescue efforts in a very timely manner which means it will help save lives after any earthquake, volcano eruption, or any natural disaster of this kind." The second satellite will launch in 2015.