Media representatives are invited to express their interest in attending the media programme at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for the launch of the FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellites on a Vega-C rocket (flight VV30). Liftoff is expected to take place in September.
FLEX is ESA's photosynthesis mission. This new Earth Explorer mission is equipped with the Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer that can detect the faint fluorescence emitted by plants as they absorb sunlight. This signal, invisible to the human eye, varies depending on plant health and environmental conditions. The mission will provide new insights into vegetation health and photosynthetic activity on a global scale.
Copernicus Sentinel-3C is the third satellite in the Sentinel-3 series. It will deliver near-real time data to support ocean and weather forecasting. Like its predecessors, the satellite carries a suite of instruments that measure ocean height, sea and ice surface temperatures, ocean colour and sea ice thickness. Over land, it will monitor vegetation, wildfires, the ice sheet and the water levels of inland lakes and rivers. Together with the other Sentinel missions, it contributes to the European Commission's Copernicus programme.
ESA manages the Vega-C development programme, ensuring autonomous access to space for Europe, with Avio as prime industrial contractor and launch service provider for the VV30 flight.
Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for both satellites, and FLEX's Florescence Imaging Spectrometer was provided by Leonardo (Italy).
