The European Space Agency refueled the FLEX satellite in French Guiana as final preparations begin for its mid-September launch [1], [2].
This mission represents the first attempt to measure vegetation photosynthesis from orbit. By detecting crop stress and agricultural drought early, the satellite could provide warnings up to two months before visible symptoms appear on the ground [1], [2].
Technicians completed the fueling process in August 2024 at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana [1], [2]. Following the fueling, the satellite was bolted to its launch adapter on Aug. 23, 2024 [2].
The Fluorescence Explorer, or FLEX, is scheduled to launch on a Vega-C rocket [2]. The launch is set for Sept. 15, 2024, at 03:21 CEST [1]. This corresponds to a local launch time of 22:21 on Sept. 14, 2024 [1].
While some reports indicated a Sept. 14 launch date, the agency's primary schedule lists the event for the early hours of Sept. 15 [1], [2]. The mission focuses on measuring the solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence that plants emit during photosynthesis.
By monitoring these light signals, the mission aims to create a more accurate map of how plants utilize sunlight across the globe. This data allows scientists to identify areas where vegetation is struggling long before the leaves turn brown or wither [1], [2].
“The first mission to measure photosynthesis from orbit.”
The ability to detect agricultural drought before it is visible to the human eye shifts crop management from reactive to proactive. If the FLEX mission successfully maps photosynthesis globally, it will provide a critical tool for food security by allowing governments and farmers to mitigate crop failure risks weeks earlier than current satellite imagery allows.
