7 September 2026
The European Space Agency's FLEX mission marks the beginning of a new era of plant research from space. The satellite, which was specifically developed to observe photosynthesis, will track how plants react to drought, heat, and other environmental stresses. The insights could help to develop climate-resilient agriculture, better protect natural ecosystems, and increase food security in the long term. Forschungszentrum Jülich operates the German FLEX project office, contributes its scientific expertise to the mission, and supports researchers in using the freely available satellite data.
How do plants react to drought and heat? What role do forests and agricultural land play in the global carbon cycle? Answers to these questions and more will be provided by the European Space Agency's (ESA) satellite mission FLEX (FLuorescence EXplorer), which is scheduled to launch on 15 September 2026 (03:21 CEST). For the first time ever, plant photosynthesis will be observed globally from space using a satellite developed specifically for this purpose.
FLEX measures solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) - a weak light signal that plants emit during photosynthesis. This signal can be used to determine how active plants are and whether they are experiencing drought, heat, or other environmental stress - often long before visible signs appear. The mission will provide the first-ever global maps of photosynthetic activity, enabling new insights into how vegetation responds to climate change and what role it plays in the carbon and water cycles.
For the first time, FLEX will give us a direct insight into the photosynthesis of our vegetation on a global scale. This will open up entirely new possibilities to gain a better understanding of the effects of climate change on plants and to significantly improve models of the carbon and water cycles.
Jülich expertise supporting the mission since 2015
Forschungszentrum Jülich has been supporting the FLEX mission since it was selected as an ESA Earth Explorer mission in 2015. Thanks to its long-standing expertise in photosynthesis research and the measurement of plants under natural conditions, Jülich is undertaking several key tasks within the mission.
Researchers from IBG-2 are contributing their expertise to the scientific development of the mission. Prof. Uwe Rascher is a member of the Mission Advisory Group for FLEX. In addition, IBG-2 is developing highly specialized sensor systems for validation measurements on the ground and from the air. Following the satellite's launch, the Jülich researchers will use these instruments to verify the FLEX data and compare them with reference measurements as part of international measurement campaigns. Validation is crucial to ensuring the quality and scientific value of the satellite data.
Open data for research and innovation
The successful launch not only marks the start of the scientific validation of the satellite data - for the scientific community, the real work is only just beginning: the freely available FLEX data must be evaluated and made accessible for new applications.
The German FLEX project office at Forschungszentrum Jülich, commissioned by the German Space Agency at DLR, is establishing a German user community for the data. It supports researchers and users in utilizing the data, develops usage concepts, and connects the community with national and international partners.
"To realize the mission's scientific potential as quickly as possible, we need a well-connected community that uses the data to address a wide range of research questions. Our aim is to support researchers in developing new applications and to highlight the value of the FLEX data for science and society," says Dr. Juliane Bendig, head of the German FLEX project office at Forschungszentrum Jülich.
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Dr. Juliane Bendig, Head of the German FLEX project office at Forschungszentrum Jülich, on the ESA FLEX satellite mission. | Copyright: Forschungszentrum Jülich
The freely available data are intended to be rapidly incorporated into research and practical applications - from climate research and agriculture to environmental monitoring.
Cutting-edge European research for global challenges
FLEX is ESA's eighth Earth Explorer mission and an example of how cutting-edge European research can develop solutions for global challenges. The mission brings together the expertise of space agencies and research institutions from numerous European countries. By bringing together and further developing Europe's own scientific and technological capabilities in Earth observation, the mission also contributes to Europe's technological sovereignty. Forschungszentrum Jülich is contributing its scientific expertise in plant remote sensing and photosynthesis research, as well as its many years of experience in providing scientific support for Earth observation missions. In this way, Jülich is helping to ensure that the mission can realize its full scientific potential.
Statements on the mission
„Through FLEX, we are bringing our long standing expertise in plant research to an important European research initiative. At the heart of this contribution are our scientists, whose expertise and dedication have been advancing this mission for many years. By combining scientific excellence, high-performance measurement technologies, and openly accessible research data, we contribute to deepen our understanding of the impacts of climate and environmental change. This collaborative effort demonstrates what we can achieve in Jülich together with our European partners."
Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht, Chair of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich
„The ESA's FLEX mission is the first to observe photosynthetic activity from space. This is a crucial step towards detecting plant stress at an early stage. This summer has shown how important such data are in helping to mitigate, for example, crop losses and the risk of wildfires. With its many years of laboratory research and extensive aircraft campaigns, Forschungszentrum Jülich's Institute of Bio- and Geosciences - Plant Sciences has played a key role in shaping the mission and is central to its scientific implementation."
Dorothee Bär, Federal Research Minister
„Cutting-edge research from space 'made in NRW' provided a basis for better understanding the consequences of climate change and protecting ourselves more effectively with newly researched plants. With its expertise, Forschungszentrum Jülich is the ideal partner for ensuring the success of the ESA's FLEX mission. Since we are all affected by climate change, everyone stands to benefit from the ESA mission. A global photosynthesis map will help make agriculture more resilient and sustainable, helping to secure food supplies for a growing global population."
Ina Brandes, NRW Science Minister
