US-French satellite launched to map world’s oceans, lakes and rivers

A SpaceX rocket carrying the Surface Water and Ocean Topography satellite lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (Nasa/AP)

A US-French satellite that will map almost all of the world’s oceans, lakes and rivers has rocketed into orbit.

The pre-dawn launch aboard a SpaceX rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California capped a highly successful year for Nasa.