Sentinel-3C & FLEX

Slip history

No changes since we started tracking on Sat 10 Oct 2026, 10:32 UTC.

1. Tue 15 Sept 2026, 03:23 UTCLL2 update

   Both satellites successfully deployed and signals acquired from both.

   Read the source update
2. Tue 15 Sept 2026, 01:21 UTCLL2 update

   Liftoff.

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3. Tue 15 Sept 2026, 00:47 UTCLL2 update

   Official Webcast by Avio SpA has started

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4. Thu 30 Jul 2026, 14:09 UTCLL2 update

   GO for launch on September 15 UTC.

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5. Thu 25 Jun 2026, 12:08 UTCLL2 update

   NET September 11

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6. Fri 5 Jun 2026, 14:22 UTCLL2 update

   NET September 9.

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7. Sun 11 Jan 2026, 21:34 UTCLL2 update

   NET September 1st, together with FLEX.

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8. Sat 6 Dec 2025, 07:23 UTCLL2 update

   NET October 2026

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Mission

Sentinel-3C & FLEX on Vega-C from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV). Launch time, status and recorded date changes from Launch Library 2.

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.

Mission type

Earth Science

Orbit

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Programmes: Copernicus

Launch timeline

Times are relative to liftoff.

1. T-0Tue 15 Sept, 03:21 CEST

   Liftoff

   First upwards movement of the rocket

2. T+2 min 27 sTue 15 Sept, 03:23 CEST

   Stage 2 Separation

   Separation of the second stage from the first

3. T+2 min 28 sTue 15 Sept, 03:23 CEST

   SES

   Start of the second engine

4. T+4 min 32 sTue 15 Sept, 03:25 CEST

   Stage 3 Separation

   Separation of the third stage from the second

5. T+4 min 39 sTue 15 Sept, 03:25 CEST

   Stage 3 Ignition

   Third stage engine ignites.

6. T+4 min 44 sTue 15 Sept, 03:25 CEST

   Fairing Separation

   Separation of the payload fairing

7. T+7 min 11 sTue 15 Sept, 03:28 CEST

   Kick Stage Separation

   Separation of the kick stage from the previous stage

8. T+8 min 23 sTue 15 Sept, 03:29 CEST

   Kick Stage Ignition

   Start of the kick stage engine

9. T+17 min 6 sTue 15 Sept, 03:38 CEST

   Kick Stage Cut-off

   Cut-off of the kick stage engine

10. T+55 min 29 sTue 15 Sept, 04:16 CEST

    Kick Stage Ignition

    Start of the kick stage engine

11. T+58 min 30 sTue 15 Sept, 04:19 CEST

    Kick Stage Cut-off

    Cut-off of the kick stage engine

12. T+1 h 50 sTue 15 Sept, 04:21 CEST

    Payload Separation

    Final deployment of the payload from the rocket

13. T+1 h 46 min 19 sTue 15 Sept, 05:07 CEST

    Kick Stage Ignition

    Start of the kick stage engine

14. T+1 h 46 min 49 sTue 15 Sept, 05:07 CEST

    Kick Stage Cut-off

    Cut-off of the kick stage engine

15. T+1 h 54 min 32 sTue 15 Sept, 05:15 CEST

    Kick Stage Ignition

    Start of the kick stage engine

16. T+1 h 54 min 58 sTue 15 Sept, 05:16 CEST

    Kick Stage Cut-off

    Cut-off of the kick stage engine

17. T+1 h 56 min 3 sTue 15 Sept, 05:17 CEST

    Payload Separation

    Final deployment of the payload from the rocket

18. T+2 h 23 min 32 sTue 15 Sept, 05:44 CEST

    Kick Stage Ignition

    Start of the kick stage engine

19. T+2 h 24 min 58 sTue 15 Sept, 05:46 CEST

    Kick Stage Cut-off

    Cut-off of the kick stage engine

Launch pad

Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (GF)

Coordinates: 5.236, -52.775