Thales Alenia Space has successfully completed the Platform (AIT) Assembly, Integration & Test activities of the European Space Agency’s FLEX (Fluorescence Explorer) satellite in the Thales UK cleanroom facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

“The whole of the Thales Alenia Space team can be proud of the completion of the FLEX Platform AIT activities in Belfast. This is the first time a full satellite Platform has been assembled and tested within the Thales Belfast cleanroom facility and so marks an evolution in our advancing space capabilities in Northern Ireland. Great teamwork and collaborative effort between all the various disciplines from Belfast, Harwell and Cannes has allowed this activity to complete successfully” Peter Worsfold, Project Manager within Thales Alenia Space in the UK.
The FLEX Platform will now enter a period of storage awaiting delivery of the FLORIS Instrument due to arrive in Q2 2025; Thales Alenia Space teams will then integrate the Instrument and conduct Satellite level testing ahead of the ESA FLEX mission launch in Q4 2026.
“This achievement represents a significant milestone for the FLEX mission, highlighting Thales Alenia Space’s dedication to supporting the European Space Agency (ESA) and advancing space technology for environmental monitoring. As we move forward to the integration of the FLORIS instrument, we will continue fostering this ‘one team’ spirit in partnership with the Leonardo teams, working together to ensure the success of this vital mission.” Thierry Huiban, FLEX Program Manager.

FLEX © Thales Alenia Space
FLEX satellite will be used to map the fluorescence of the Earth's vegetation, which will provide a better understanding of the Earth's state of health and vegetation productivity on a global scale. As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will lead the satellite platform assembly, integration and test campaign planned in 2025, following the receipt of the FLORIS (Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer) innovative instrument. Developed by Leonardo, this high-resolution imaging spectrometer will map the Earth's vegetation fluorescence to quantify photosynthetic activity.
The FLEX satellite will orbit in tandem with one of the Sentinel-3 satellites (part of Europe’s Copernicus program), also built by Thales Alenia Space. It will take advantage of Sentinel-3’s optical and thermal sensors to provide an integrated package of measurements to assess plant health.