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Avio's Vega-C launches FLEX and Sentinel-3C climate satellites
Key Takeaways
- Avio's Vega-C rocket launched the VV30 mission on 15 September 2026 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, its eighth flight overall and second of the year.
- Payloads were EUMETSAT-managed Copernicus Sentinel-3C and ESA-managed FLEX, the Fluorescence Explorer, targeting oceans, atmosphere and plant health.
- Sentinel-3C, weighing 1,143 kg, separated from the AVUM+ upper stage one hour and 49 seconds after liftoff; FLEX followed nearly an hour later.
- Both satellites were confirmed healthy after signal acquisition and have begun commissioning.
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DT Editorial Team··via spaceflightnow.com