ESA · Space

FLEX and Sentinel-3C Ready for Vega-C Launch

Two Earth observation satellites, ESA's FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C, are encapsulated in a Vega-C rocket, set for liftoff from French Guiana. The launch is scheduled for September 15th.

These separate missions will gather data on the global environment. FLEX will monitor vegetation health by detecting the faint glow plants emit during photosynthesis, indicating their condition. Sentinel-3C, joining two existing satellites, will monitor oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere for the European Union's Copernicus program.

The Vega-C rocket will first deploy Sentinel-3C, followed by FLEX. FLEX, an ESA Earth Explorer mission, uses a Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer to measure plant fluorescence from 814 km altitude, aiming to produce global vegetation fluorescence maps at 300m resolution.

The Sentinel-3 mission, operational for a decade, provides data on oceans, land, ice, and atmosphere, contributing to climate change understanding and policy. Sentinel-3C ensures the continuity of this data stream with its four science instruments.

Sentinel-3 operations are jointly managed by Eumetsat and ESA for the European Commission. The Vega-C program, led by ESA with Avio as prime contractor, provides Europe with independent space access and complements the Ariane family.

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