Four so-called Essaim (Swarm) microsatellites, a microsatellite called Parasol and Nanosat, a tiny Spanish civilian research satellite were also successfully separated from the rocket, which had earlier taken off from the European Space Agency's launchpad in French Guiana.

French defense minister Michele Alliot-Marie hailed the successful launch, sending her congratulations to the scientists from Paris, where she watched it live on televison.

Helios II A is designed to have enhanced imaging in the optical and infrared range and is designed to improve military intelligence which will be used notably by France, Belgium and Spain. It has a five year space life.

The microsatellites are designed by French military scientists as a testbed for new technologies in electromagnetic surveillance.

Parasol is a microsatellite designed by French civilian scientists to study cloud formations and aerosols in the upper atmosphere, while Nanosat is also designed to monitor atmospheric changes.

All rights reserved. copyright 2018 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.