/ Source: The Associated Press
A Soyuz rocket carrying six satellites has been launched from French Guiana in the Russian-built rocket's second mission this year.
The rocket will first release a French Earth observation satellite followed by four French micro-satellites. A Chilean Earth observation satellite will be released last.
The satellites weigh a total of more than 4,400 pounds.
Friday night's mission was the final one this year for Arianespace, the commercial arm of the 13-country European Space Agency.
The Soyuz first launched from French Guiana in late October, carrying the first two satellites of the European Union's Galileo navigation system. It was the maiden voyage of the Russian rocket outside the former Soviet Union.