ESA’s photosynthesis satellite fuelled
The European Space Agency has successfully fueled the FLEX satellite in French Guiana ahead of its September launch. The satellite will monitor plant health by measuring fluorescence to better understand photosynthesis and carbon cycles.
Why it matters
Improved data on vegetation health and carbon absorption is vital for climate change research and environmental monitoring.
Europe’s newest eye on the health of Earth’s vegetation has taken another crucial step towards orbit – the European Space Agency’s FLEX satellite has been fuelled at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of its planned launch on 15 September at 03:21 CEST (14 September at 22:21 local time).
Once launched and commissioned, this latest ESA Earth Explorer research satellite, equipped with its Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer, will provide new insights into the health of the world’s plants by measuring the faint glow of fluorescence emitted as they capture light for photosynthesis.
This signal, invisible to the naked eye, varies with environmental conditions and plant health, enabling scientists to detect vegetation stress before it becomes apparent on the ground.
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