The latest Meteosat second generation satellite, MSG-2, made by Alcatel Alenia Space lifted off atop its Ariane rocket at 7:33 pm (2233 GMT). It is scheduled to become operational next June under the name Meteosat-9.

It is to be operated by the European organisation EUMETSAT which maintains and exploits meteorological satellites.

"MSG satellites are at the moment the best in the world in the area of geostationary meteorological imaging," Meteo-France, one of the members of EUMETSAT said.

"They allow pictures to be taken every quarter of an hour against 30 minutes for the first generation Meteosat that they replace."

It is to be operated by EUMETSAT, which maintains and uses meteorological satellites.

The MSG programme involves four satellites and costs billion euros.

They are scheduled up to 2018 provide meteorological data, surveillance of the climate and the environment.

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