Ready does not mean launched
ESA reported on 9 September 2026 that FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C had been moved to the launch pad inside their rocket fairing. Their Vega-C launch is scheduled for 15 September at 03:21 CEST. Schedules can change, so the event should not be described as completed.
The faint glow of photosynthesis
FLEX carries a Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer designed to detect the weak fluorescence plants emit as they absorb sunlight. The glow is invisible to human eyes, but variations can provide clues about how vegetation is functioning and responding to environmental stress.
A wider planetary view
Sentinel-3C is the third satellite in the Sentinel-3 series. Its instruments are designed to measure oceans, land, ice and atmosphere systematically, supporting environmental monitoring as well as near-real-time ocean and weather forecasting.
Why launch them together
FLEX’s specialised plant measurement can be interpreted alongside broader observations from Sentinel-3C. Combining complementary instruments can help researchers connect photosynthetic activity with temperature, water, land and atmospheric conditions.
From measurements to decisions
Satellite data do not directly tell a farmer or policymaker what to do. They need calibration, processing and comparison with observations on the ground. Their value comes from consistent coverage that can reveal patterns difficult to see locally.
What remains uncertain
The launch, commissioning and data-quality phases are still ahead. Instrument design goals are not the same as verified performance in orbit, and practical services will depend on validated products after launch.
Primary source
Read ESA’s launch-readiness update. Accessed 12 September 2026.