ESA deploys two satellites to strengthen monitoring of extreme weather and climate change
The European Space Agency has successfully placed two satellites into orbit as part of efforts to strengthen Earth observation and improve monitoring of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
A European Vega-C rocket launched the Sentinel-3C and FLEX satellites from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guiana. The two spacecraft were deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit approximately two hours after liftoff.
ESA Earth Observation Programmes Director Simonetta Cheli described missions of this kind as essential for responding to the effects of climate change, as increasingly extreme weather conditions create growing challenges for ecosystems, agriculture and coastal environments.
The FLEX satellite is designed to provide detailed information on how heatwaves and other environmental stresses affect vegetation. It will also monitor solar-induced fluorescence, a faint red glow emitted by plants during photosynthesis. This process allows vegetation to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into energy using water and sunlight while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.
By observing this fluorescence, scientists will be able to gain a better understanding of plant health and how ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions.
Sentinel-3C, meanwhile, is part of the European Union’s Copernicus Earth observation programme. The satellite will collect data on marine and terrestrial environments, including sea-surface temperatures, wave heights and ocean currents.
Its observations will also contribute to monitoring land use and land cover, providing valuable information for agriculture and environmental management. Such data can help improve agricultural productivity and strengthen early-warning capabilities against food-security crises.
Together, the two satellites will expand Europe’s ability to monitor changes occurring across the planet. Their observations are expected to support scientists, policymakers and environmental authorities as they assess the consequences of climate change and prepare for increasingly challenging weather conditions.
The mission highlights the growing role of satellite technology in understanding climate-related risks. By combining observations of vegetation, oceans and land surfaces, European space programmes aim to provide more accurate data for managing natural resources and improving resilience to extreme environmental events.
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