09/09/2026
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The European Area Company’s FLEX satellite tv for pc and the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite tv for pc are scheduled to launch collectively aboard a Vega-C rocket on 15 September at 03:21 CEST (14 September at 22:21 native time). Watch the VV30 launch stay from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, with protection beginning at 02:50 CEST.
FLEX satellite tv for pc will open a brand new window on the well being of Earth’s vegetation, whereas Copernicus Sentinel-3C will proceed the important activity of monitoring our oceans, land, ice and ambiance.
Tune in and be taught extra about these two thrilling missions and witness subsequent step in Europe’s dedication to look at and perceive our altering planet.
Watch stay on ESA YouTube or ESA Web TV Two.
Programme –15 September (all instances in CEST)
02:50 Broadcast begins
03:21 Liftoff
03:51 Break
04:12 Broadcast resumes
04:21 Sentinel-3C separates
04:32 Break
05:07 Broadcast resumes
05:17 FLEX separates
05:36 Broadcast ends
About FLEX
FLEX – the Fluorescence Explorer – is ESA’s subsequent Earth Explorer mission and is designed to disclose a phenomenon invisible to the human eye: the faint fluorescence emitted by crops as they photosynthesise. Outfitted with a Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer, FLEX will detect and measure this extremely weak sign from orbit. As a result of the fluorescence varies with plant well being and environmental circumstances, the measurements will present scientists with new details about photosynthetic exercise and vegetation stress on a worldwide scale.
FLEX will produce international maps of vegetation fluorescence at a decision of 300 × 300 metres, providing a brand new approach to research how crops work together with the ambiance and the way carbon and water transfer by Earth’s ecosystems.
About Sentinel-3C
Copernicus Sentinel-3C is the third satellite tv for pc within the Sentinel-3 collection. Like its two predecessors already in orbit, it carries a set of superior devices that systematically measure Earth’s oceans, land, ice and ambiance. These observations help the monitoring and understanding of large-scale processes and dynamics throughout our planet, whereas offering important near-real-time data for ocean and climate forecasting. Sentinel-3 mission knowledge help the Copernicus Companies and assist perceive Earth dynamics.
Two satellites one rocket
FLEX and Sentinel-3C are being launched collectively. Sentinel-3C will probably be injected into orbit first so it sits above FLEX within the Vega-C fairing. To accommodate the 2 satellites, FLEX is encapsulated throughout the decrease a part of a secondary payload adapter referred to as Vespa. Sentinel-3C was then mated to the higher a part of Vespa.
In reality, FLEX will orbit tandem with one of many Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites, nonetheless not Sentinel-3C initially. Sentinel-3 will probably be used to offer vital data on the ambiance akin to clouds, aerosols and water vapour in addition to details about the land floor, such because the floor temperature and sort of land cowl and extra vegetation parameters. This built-in bundle of quasi-concurrent measurements guarantees to allow an unprecedented view of world vegetation operate and standing.
About Vega-C
An evolution of Europe’s Vega household of rockets, Vega-C can launch 2300 kg into area. It weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad and reaches orbit with three solid-propellant-powered levels earlier than the fourth liquid-propellant stage takes over for exact placement of satellites into their desired orbit round Earth. Complementing the Ariane household, Vega-C ensures that Europe has versatile and impartial entry to area.
ESA leads the Vega-C programme, working with Avio as prime contractor and design authority. For this launch Avio can also be launch service operator.