Satellite launched to map the world's oceans, lakes, rivers

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Nasa has launched a satellite aboard a SpaceX rocket to perform the first ever global survey of Earth’s surface water.

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite lifted off on Friday morning from Vandenberg US Space Force Base, about 275 km (170 miles) northwest of Los Angeles, aiming to give an unprecedented look at the planet’s oceans, lakes and rivers.