A Vega C rocket successfully launched an Earth science satellite for the European Space Agency, a mission officials said was also a demonstration of European space sovereignty.

The European Space Agency 's (ESA) Biomass spacecraft lifted off atop a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on Tuesday at 5:15 a.m. EDT (0915 GMT; 6:15 a.m. local time in Korea). Arianespace's stream began at 4:55 a.m. EDT (0855 GMT), and the launch can now be watched on demand.

Scientists say the radar will paint the first detailed global map of forests’ biomass, which is crucial for sucking up carbon and slowing climate change.