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Launch status: GOAvioCopernicus

Vega-C | Sentinel-3C & FLEX

Avio S.p.A launches Vega-C carrying Sentinel-3C & FLEX from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana at 2026-09-15 01:21:07Z. That T-0 is confirmed to the second. The vehicle is go for launch.

COUNTDOWN

GO
Vega-C, operated by Avio S.p.A, for the Vega-C | Sentinel-3C & FLEX mission.
Mission patch for Sentinel-3C & FLEX.
Avio S.p.A logo.
Avio S.p.A
TIME TO T-0
T-··:··:··
NET (UTC)2026-09-15 01:21:07Z
WINDOWINSTANTANEOUS

FLIGHT PLAN

FILED
OPERATORAvio S.p.A
VEHICLEVega-C
PAYLOADSentinel-3C & FLEX
MISSION TYPEEarth Science
TARGET ORBITSSO
VEHICLE FAMILYVega
PADAriane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
WINDOW OPEN2026-09-15 01:21:07Z
WINDOW CLOSE2026-09-15 01:21:07Z
NET PRECISIONSEC
REUSABLENO

The window is instantaneous: the vehicle flies at T-0 or stands down to the next opportunity. Current T-0 confirmed by official or reliable sources.

FIELD KIT / OPTICS

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MISSION BRIEF

FILED

Sentinel-3C is the third satellite in the Sentinel-3 constellation, which provides high-accuracy optical, radar and altimetry data for marine and land services. The Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) satellite is a part of ESA's Earth Explorer program. The satellite will map vegetation fluorescence to quantify photosynthetic activity.

SOURCE: LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 // THE SPACE DEVS

LAUNCH SITE

FIXED
PAD DESIGNATION

Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, French Guiana

LATITUDE5°14′10″ N5.2360°
LONGITUDE52°46′30″ W-52.7750°
90°N90°SEQ
180°W0° MERIDIAN180°E

DATUM WGS-84 // EQUIRECTANGULAR PROJECTION

Site map of Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, French Guiana.
SITE PLAN // SOURCE: LAUNCH LIBRARY 2

COMMON QUESTIONS

ANSWERED

What time does Vega-C · Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch?

Avio S.p.A is targeting 2026-09-15 01:21:07Z for Vega-C | Sentinel-3C & FLEX. That T-0 is confirmed to the second. The window is instantaneous: the vehicle flies at T-0 or stands down to the next opportunity.

Where can I watch Vega-C · Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch?

No official webcast has been published for Vega-C | Sentinel-3C & FLEX yet. When Avio S.p.A posts a feed it is linked from this page, and the live countdown here runs against the published T-0 in the meantime.

What is Vega-C · Sentinel-3C & FLEX carrying?

Sentinel-3C is the third satellite in the Sentinel-3 constellation, which provides high-accuracy optical, radar and altimetry data for marine and land services. The Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) satellite is a part of ESA's Earth Explorer program. The satellite will map vegetation fluorescence to quantify photosynthetic activity.

Where does Vega-C · Sentinel-3C & FLEX launch from?

Vega-C | Sentinel-3C & FLEX lifts off from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, French Guiana. The pad sits at 5.2360, -52.7750.