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3 clusters · 4 sources · 27 days · First seen · Last updated

ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX satellite launch preparations

Overview

The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for the VV30 mission, a joint launch of the FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

Initially, preparations focused on the Sentinel-3C satellite, which is designed to monitor water resources such as oceans, rivers, and ice to study climate change and drought impacts. By early September, preparations reached a final stage with both the FLEX and Sentinel-3C satellites encapsulated within the Vega-C rocket fairing.

While Sentinel-3C provides Earth observation continuity, the FLEX mission aims to study photosynthesis and vegetation health using the FLORIS spectrometer. The FLEX mission will measure plant fluorescence, described as “a subtle red glow emitted during the process that is invisible to the human eye.” By assessing plant health and stress levels, the mission intends to support global food security and the understanding of carbon and water cycles. The FLEX mission is expected to last approximately 3.5 years. The launch remains scheduled for September 15, 2026.

Entities

European Space Agency · FLEX · Copernicus Sentinel-3C · Guiana Space Centre · Leonardo

Timeline

  1. 6 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    ESA to launch Flex and Sentinel satellites to study photosynthesis

    The ESA will launch the Flex mission and Sentinel-3C satellite on September 15 to study photosynthesis and plant health from space to support food security and climate research.

  2. 9 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    FLEX and Sentinel-3C satellites prepared for Vega-C launch

    The FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites are ready for launch aboard a Vega-C rocket from French Guiana on September 15, 2026, to conduct Earth observation and vegetation studies.

  3. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    ESA prepares Sentinel-3C satellite launch for water monitoring

    The European Space Agency is preparing to launch the Sentinel-3C satellite in September 2026 to monitor global water resources and climate change variables.

Sources

astrospace.it · diariopanorama.com · eldia.com.do · spaceweekly.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history