ESA's FLEX Earth Explorer and the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite lifted off together on Vega-C flight VV30 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on 15 September 2026 at 03:21 CEST (22:21 local time on 14 September). According to ESA, it was the first dual launch for Vega-C.
How the dual launch worked
For this flight, Vega-C used a secondary payload adapter called Vespa. Sentinel-3C sat on top of Vespa inside the main fairing. After Sentinel-3C was deployed, the adapter opened and released FLEX into its own orbit. ESA states that Vega-C can launch up to 2300 kg. The rocket is 35 m tall, weighs 210 tonnes at liftoff and uses three solid-propellant stages followed by a liquid-propellant upper stage for precise orbit placement.
FLEX: measuring plant health from space
FLEX carries a Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer. It will detect the faint fluorescence that plants emit during photosynthesis, a signal that is invisible to the human eye. Because this signal changes with plant health and environmental conditions, the data will give scientists new information about photosynthetic activity and vegetation stress worldwide. FLEX will first fly in tandem with Sentinel-3A and later switch to flying in tandem with Sentinel-3C.
Sentinel-3C: continuity for Copernicus
Sentinel-3C is the third satellite of the Sentinel-3 series. It continues systematic measurements of oceans, land, ice and atmosphere and provides near-real-time data for ocean and weather forecasting. Eumetsat will handle routine operations of Sentinel-3C and its marine data, while ESA operates FLEX. Avio is the prime contractor and launch operator for Vega-C.
"Today's launch is the culmination of years of scientific innovation, engineering excellence and international cooperation."Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes
Next steps
Both satellites now enter commissioning, during which the spacecraft and their instruments are checked before routine operations begin.
Related reading
- Small Launchers Compared: Electron, Spectrum, RFA One and Vega-C
- Europe's launch sites: Kourou, Andøya, SaxaVord and Esrange compared
- Sun-Synchronous Orbit Explained: Why Earth Observation Satellites Fly SSO
Sources
- ESA, "FLEX and Sentinel-3C launched", press release, 15 September 2026: esa.int
- ESA Multimedia, "FLEX and Sentinel-3C lift off", 15 September 2026: esa.int
Cover image: AI-generated illustration (Carrier Space, created with OpenAI). It does not show the actual spacecraft or vehicle.