Arianespace’s Vega light launcher will send the satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit from the Guiana Space Center in the second quarter of 2014.

   Astrium-trained Kazakh operators will independently control the DZZ-HR system, which aims to will high-quality panchromatic and multispectral products for a wide range of applications, including cadastral surveys, management of natural resources, environmental monitoring and homeland surveillance.

   “Today, with the European launcher Vega, we can offer all customers new launch services for this type of mission,” Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said in a statement. “This is the third contract for Vega, after Sentinel 2 and 3, and this time we are serving an end-customer outside of Europe. We are also delighted to be working once again with Astrium Satellites, with whom we have a long-standing relationship of mutual trust.”