1.   Since the first images of the earth were beamed back from space, observation satellites have promised vast practical benefits for science, government, the military and business.

2.   He said the small Earth observation satellite was intended for civilian applications, such as monitoring natural catastrophes and agriculture.

3.   Its next mission comes in July, for the HELIOS IA, a military observation satellite built by France, Italy and Spain.

4.   Kyodo News reported Wednesday that Japan currently purchases photographs taken by U.S. earth observation satellites and receives visual images sent from U.S. spy satellites.

5.   This week, it launched an earth observation satellite on behalf of France, Belgium and Sweden.

6.   Helios II is an optical observation satellite designed by French engineers.

7.   An Ariane rocket on Friday launched the latest and most sophisticated spacecraft in the SPOT series of high-powered French commercial observation satellites.

8.   The programme would be separate from an existing Franco-German project for two observation satellites, Helios II and Horus.

9.   The picture will be completed by US observation satellites.

10.   Israel put an observation satellite into orbit on Wednesday with its own launcher, military radio announced.