Earth
FLEX
ESA's Earth Explorer mission to measure vegetation fluorescence and photosynthetic activity from orbit.
Go for Launch
View in 3D map ↗Official mission site ↗The mission
The Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) will measure the faint fluorescence emitted by vegetation as it absorbs sunlight. Its Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer will help scientists assess plant health, photosynthetic activity, and the effects of environmental change across the globe.
The launch
- Launch
- September 15, 2026, 01:21 UTC
- Launch location
- Europe's Spaceport, French Guiana
- Launch vehicle
- Vega-C
- Orbit
- Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit
Mission timeline
Follow the mission through its available trajectory data in the full 3D solar-system map.
- Now
Scheduled launch
September 15, 2026, 01:21 UTC · Earth
FLEX is scheduled to launch with Copernicus Sentinel-3C on Vega-C from Europe's Spaceport.
Open milestone source ↗Objectives
- 01
Measure solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence from vegetation globally.
- 02
Improve understanding of photosynthesis, plant health, and terrestrial carbon exchange.
Spacecraft
FLEX spacecraft
- Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer
Gallery
0 images from FLEX.
No mission imagery is available yet.
Community discussion
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