FLEX and Sentinel-3C satellites prepared for Vega-C launch

Preparations are finalized for the VV30 mission at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, where the FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites have been encapsulated within the Vega-C rocket fairing. The launch is scheduled for September 15, 2026, at 03:21 CEST.

The two satellites will share an orbit but serve distinct purposes. FLEX, an ESA Earth Explorer mission, is designed to study photosynthesis and vegetation health by detecting solar energy re-emitted as fluorescence. Sentinel-3C is part of the Copernicus program, intended to ensure continuity in Earth observation data alongside its predecessors.

Both satellites were constructed by Thales Alenia Space, with the FLEX mission involving collaboration across 14 European countries. The FLEX satellite features the FLORIS spectrometer, developed by Leonardo. The mission represents a combined effort of scientific research and practical Earth monitoring.