Europe on April 3 launched the first satellite of its multibillion-dollar Copernicus Earth observation project that will supply valuable images in the event of natural disasters or even a plane crash.

The Sentinel-1a satellite, which blasted off into Earth's orbit from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana, will be used to monitor sea ice, oil spills and land use, as well as respond to emergencies such as floods and earthquakes.

The satellite, which carries a 12-meter-long radar antenna and has two 10 meter-long solar panels, is now orbiting the planet at 693 km above the Earth.