Call for interest: media programme for FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C launch at Europe’s Spaceport

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).

This call for interest only relates to activities taking place on site at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. It will support the media accreditation process and help establish a reserve list in the event of cancellations. Further details on the media programme will be shared with confirmed journalists in due course.

ESA and its partners are planning additional media activities for this launch, including online pre-launch media briefings open to all journalists.

Journalists wishing to participate in the media programme at Europe’s Spaceport are asked to submit their application via ESA’s media accreditation page as soon as possible and no later than 17:00 CEST on 10 August 2026.

Please note:

• ESA will recommend flight dates and accommodation options to confirmed participants to facilitate travel;

• As the number of places is limited, ESA cannot guarantee all interested media will be able to attend. A reserve list will be established in case of cancellations.

• Accreditation formalities to access Europe’s Spaceport will have to be completed immediately after confirmation of participation;

• A yellow fever vaccination is compulsory to enter French Guiana and will be checked at the airport.

For questions please contact: media@esa.int.

Arrival in French Guiana is planned the day before launch and return the day after.

This two-day programme will allow journalists the opportunity to conduct interviews with the teams involved in the launch, including those working on Vega-C, launch operations, and the FLEX and Sentinel-3C satellites.

Spokespersons and experts from ESA and its partners will be available on site for interviews during the media programme.

Journalists will also be able to report live from Kourou. Further details on the date and timing will launch will be provided in due course.

B-roll material and a clean feed of the launch will be made available to the media.

Sentinel-3 and FLEX are flying to space on Vega-C flight VV30. At 35 m tall, Vega-C weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad and the rocket will take its passengers to orbit with three solid-propellant-powered stages before the fourth liquid-propellant stage takes over for two precise drop-offs around Earth in their required orbit.

The Vega-C programme is led by ESA, working with Avio as prime contractor and design authority. It ensures that Europe has versatile and independent access to space.

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For questions or more information related to ESA videos, please contact directly spaceinvideos@esa.int

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The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.

ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia are Associate Members.

ESA has established formal cooperation with three Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.

By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.

Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int.