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ESA Earth Observation

@esaearth.esa.int
7.1K followers 47 following 452 posts

@esa.int #EarthObservation: Taking the pulse of our planet from space. Please see our Privacy Notice: esa.int/connectwithus We share pictures and news on our planet as seen from space.

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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 16/10/2026
Antarctic sea ice, as winter comes to an end 🛰️ This Copernicus Sentinel-3 image shows ice reaching the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and into the Weddell Sea. 🔗 www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Satellite view of dark open ocean meeting fragmented sea ice and swirling clouds, with small icebergs scattered in the water.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/10/2026
Europe’s night is changing... and so are the impacts on biodiversity and health. This week at ESRIN, experts gathered for the 2nd European Workshop on Artificial Nighttime Light Remote Sensing, to map the path to better satellite observations of artificial light at night.
Large group photo of about 60 workshop participants posing at the entrance of ESRIN.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 14/10/2026
Can music tell the story of a changing Earth? Find out at Signals during ADE in Amsterdam on 25 October, with audiovisual performances inspired by satellite data and a panel discussion! More details👇
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 13/10/2026
Great news for European weather forecasting👇
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 13/10/2026
On thin ice, every detail counts🧊 Researchers at the Arctic University of Norway used 30 years of satellite radar data to map different ice types, including thin ice forming in narrow openings that allow heat to pass between the ocean and atmosphere. 🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...
earth.esa.int
Unlocking decades of Arctic sea ice change with Heritage radar data - Earth Online
Using three decades of radar observations from ESA missions, scientists have accurately mapped sea ice types at a scale of 100 metres across the Atlantic sector of the Arctic Ocean.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 12/10/2026
Say hello to EVE 👋 @esa.int's Earth Virtual Expert is now live. Powered by AI, it brings together trusted scientific sources to answer questions about Earth observation and Earth science, whatever your level of expertise. Find out more: www.esa.int/Applications...
esa.int
Introducing ESA’s Earth Virtual Expert
The European Space Agency (ESA) has released Earth Virtual Expert (EVE), a platform powered with Artificial Intelligence (AI), to make Earth observation information more accessible and easier to under...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 12/10/2026
Some are trickier than others 😉
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 12/10/2026
Welcome aboard! 😊
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 09/10/2026
Namibia's biggest salt pan, spanning roughly 130 km. In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 false-colour image of Etosha Pan, vegetation appears red and water in shades of blue. Look closely and you'll spot red patches on the salt pan itself, suggesting vegetation is present. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
False-colour satellite image of Namibia’s Etosha Pan, showing a large pale blue salt pan surrounded by red vegetation and scattered turquoise lakes and wetlands.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026
And there's more! Sentinel-3C's radar altimeter has also returned its first measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet. This animation shows measurements collected between 30 September and 4 October, an early indication that the instrument is performing well.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026
First images are in! Just weeks after launch, Copernicus Sentinel-3C has sent back images captured by its Ocean and Land Colour Instrument, showing Central Europe, the Canadian Arctic and the Caribbean: www.esa.int/Applications... 📷contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), processed by ESA
Satellite view of Italy, the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, showing snow-covered mountains and bands of cloud stretching across western Italy and the Mediterranean.
Satellite image of the Caribbean Sea, showing the Bahamas, Cuba and surrounding islands beneath scattered clouds, with a large swirling storm system west of the Bahamas. Satellite image of the Canadian Arctic, showing snow- and ice-covered islands, sea ice, and dark channels of open water. Thin cloud bands stretch across the frozen landscape.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 08/10/2026
A new 'Where on Earth?' is here 🌍 Take a closer look and tell us where you think this location is.
False-color satellite image from above with the text '#WhereOnEarth?' at the top. Vivid red areas, indicating vegetation, cover most of the scene, with a patchwork of small fields in the upper left. In the lower left, a coastline borders turquoise and white shallow waters.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 07/10/2026
Lakes come in more colours than blue 🔵 Green, turquoise, brown... satellite images can reveal an unexpected palette, from algae, sediment and the mixing of different waters. These Copernicus Sentinel images take us to Lake Tai in China, Lake Trasimeno in Italy and Lake St. Clair in North America.
Satellite view of Lake Tai, China, showing green algae blooms across the lake and dense urban areas surrounding the shoreline.Satellite view of Lake Trasimeno in central Italy, showing bright green water surrounded by farmland, wooded hills and scattered towns.Satellite image of Lake St. Clair between Canada and the United States, showing turquoise and green swirls in the water, surrounded by urban areas, wetlands and agricultural land.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 06/10/2026
Putting DestinE data to work for climate policy ✍️ A researcher in Barcelona is using DestinE climate data to develop an AI model that estimates the potential impact of urban policies, including on land surface temperature. Read on🔗 destination-earth.eu/news/the-mis...
destination-earth.eu
The missing link between climate policy and climate data – and how a researcher is helping bridge it with DestinE - Destination Earth
Cities pledge to plant trees, expand green space and cut emissions. But how much of a difference will those actions actually make? One researcher is teaching an AI model to find out – and Destination ...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 05/10/2026
Mapping the world’s forests in 3D🌳 New data from @esa.int's Biomass mission measure forest canopy height from space, even in dense tropical forests. These measurements can improve estimates of above-ground biomass and the carbon stored in trees. Read the story🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/eo...
earth.esa.int
Forests in 3D: Biomass Data Insights - Earth Online
Forests are often considered in terms of the land area they occupy - their two-dimensional extent. However, forests also vary greatly by height and density - the third dimension. By considering forest...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026
It would make quite the poster! 😄
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026
Typhoon Surigae over the Philippine Sea 🌀 On 28 September, Copernicus Sentinel-1 captured this false-colour, polarised radar image of the sea beneath the storm. Calmer seas at its eye appear dark blue, while orange and yellow show rough conditions and strong winds. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Satellite radar image of a large hurricane seen from above, with a dark, circular eye at its center and swirling bands of gold and blue spiraling outward across the ocean surface.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 02/10/2026
IRIDE’s Eaglet II constellation is complete🛰️ The final satellites reached orbit on 1 October, equipped with multispectral sensors that will capture images of Earth’s surface for applications including land monitoring, coastal observation and emergency mapping. 🔗 www.esa.int/Applications... 📸SpaceX
A white rocket with a dark band near its base climbs diagonally through a clear blue sky, trailing a bright orange-white exhaust plume.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/10/2026
'Where on Earth': Special edition Can you name this sea?
Image with the text “#WhereOnEarth?” in large white letters at the top. The background is a colourful, in shades of orange, yellow, turquoise and blue, framed by a thin white border.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 01/10/2026
EarthCARE tracked Anak Krakatau’s volcanic plume 🌋 Following the eruption on 4 September, the satellite captured the plume’s vertical structure, revealing layers of ash, gases and aerosols at different altitudes and supporting aviation safety. More 👉 www.esa.int/Applications...
This image uses a capture from Copernicus Sentinel-3 on 5 September overlaid with data from EarthCARE’s MSI, ATLID and CPR instruments. The image also notes aircraft flight levels: most aircraft cruise around FL350, which means 35,000 ft (about 10,700 m).

Credits: ESA (contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), modified by ESA)Image showing before and after the eruption of Anak Krakatau. The “before” image is from 08 August and the “after” image is from 15 September.

Credits: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2026), modified by ESA
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 30/09/2026
Old satellite data still have plenty to tell us🔍 @esa.int FDR4VGT project is enhancing more than 20 years of observations from SPOT-VGT and PROBA-V, creating a consistent long-term record for studying Earth’s land surface and climate. earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...
earth.esa.int
Enhancing 20 years of global daily land monitoring with FDR4VGT - Earth Online
ESA's Fundamental Data Record for VGT (FDR4VGT) project is improving the quality and consistency of more than two decades of global daily land monitoring observations.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 29/09/2026
What if a lake just…disappeared?🫥 Ephemeral lakes fill after heavy rain, then disappear as the water evaporates or drains away. Despite being temporary, they can provide important habitats and breeding areas for wildlife. 🎞️contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017, 2024), processed by ESA.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 28/09/2026
What started as an experiment is now the world's largest SAR constellation. Since 2018, @esa.int has worked with ICEYE to bring its radar data to users, from disaster response to maritime monitoring, through Third Party Missions and Copernicus Contributing Missions. 🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...
earth.esa.int
How ESA helped ICEYE scale from start-up to strategic partner - Earth Online
When ICEYE launched its ICEYE-X1 satellite in January 2018, the Finnish company was testing an unproven idea: that a radar imaging satellite weighing less than 100 kilograms could deliver high-resolut...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 25/09/2026
And then there were three🛰️ ESA’s Programme Board for Earth Observation has selected ECO, Keystone and CryoRad to progress to the next phase toward Earth Explorer 12. The three concepts would investigate Earth’s energy balance, the upper atmosphere & polar ice sheets. 🔗 www.esa.int/Applications...
esa.int
Three Earth Explorer candidates go forward
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 25/09/2026
Can you spot the boat traffic?👀 Venice's story has always been written on water. In this IRIDE image, boat wakes criss-cross the Venetian Lagoon while shifting shades of blue reveal changing water conditions. Beyond the city, wetlands and salt marshes support wildlife. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
False-colour satellite image of Venice and its lagoon. The city appears as a pink-orange island surrounded by turquoise waters marked by boat wakes, with nearby wetlands, channels and barrier islands visible across the lagoon.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
Fancy a chat about Earth observation? 🤖 Ameca and Frankie are two humanoid robots that let people interact with EVE, ESA Φ-lab’s Earth Virtual Expert, simply by talking to them, helping users explore satellite imagery and more through natural conversation. 🔗 philab.esa.int/exploring-ev...
Humanoid robot displayed on a table at an indoor event or exhibition. The robot has a realistic grey face, a transparent section on the top of its head showing internal components, and a white torso, while people stand nearby in the foreground and background observing it.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
Trying to lure us into giving clues?🤔
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
We appreciate the detective work 👀
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
we’ll find out soon😎
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
We'll say nothing...🤐
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
You'll have to wait and see 😉
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
Looks can be deceiving 😉
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 24/09/2026
Can you guess where this location is? This week's "Where on Earth" is full of clues, if you look at it from a different angle.🕵️
ALT text: Satellite image of a coastal city surrounded by bright turquoise waterways and small islands. Narrow canals weave through densely built urban areas, while boat wakes streak across the water. The image is framed as a "Where on Earth?" quiz.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 23/09/2026
Who is ready for a change of season? 🍂🌱 The September equinox marks autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern, as the Sun crosses the equator. MTG-I1 captured it from space ⤵️ 📹 @esa.int / @eumetsat.int
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 22/09/2026
The Earth Observation Virtual Constellation is growing. ESA Φ-lab & the EOVC consortium are looking for new collaborators, bringing together space and ground assets that can dynamically coordinate their activities as part of a unified system. Find out more: philab.esa.int/esa-%CF%86-l... 📷CS Group
Artist’s impression of several satellites orbiting Earth in a coordinated network. Bright lines connect the spacecraft, illustrating data exchange above the planet’s curved horizon against a star-filled backdrop.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 21/09/2026
What if we could 'see' beneath the desert sands? 🏜️ Designed primarily to study forests, @esa.int’s Biomass mission is also helping scientists investigate ancient river systems hidden beneath the Sahara, thanks to its unique P-band radar. Read the full story🔗 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...
earth.esa.int
Biomass helps study ancient rivers below deserts - Earth Online
Scientists have been using satellites for decades to study hydrological structures hidden below the sand in deserts. Now, with its unique P-band synthetic aperture radar, Biomass is playing a role too...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 18/09/2026
False-colour keeps everyone on their toes 😉
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 18/09/2026
Things get colourful high in the Andes 👀 False colour brings out the contrasts in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image of the Andean Altiplano, home to volcanoes, salt flats and lagoons, including Laguna Colorada, a shallow salt lake known for its red waters and flamingos. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Satellite image in false-colour of a mountainous volcanic region, with snow-covered peaks and ridges scattered across a dry, rugged landscape in shades of brown, tan and green. Numerous bright blue lakes and crater lakes dot the terrain, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding snow and volcanic landforms.
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Reposted by ESA Earth Observation
ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 17/09/2026
After 34 intense hours, the team at @esa.int’s #ESOC completed the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C, following its launch alongside #FLEX on 15 September. Congratulations to everyone who made this milestone possible. 👏 📷ESA/J.Mai
Close-up of a Sentinel‑3 mission sticker and FLEX mission sticker on a water bottle beside a small satellite model on a desk in a mission operations room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.

In the background, Franco Marchese, ESA Flight Operations Director for the Sentinel-3C LEOP, is wearing a headset works at a computer workstation, with screens and control-room equipment visible out of focus.ESA Spacecraft Operations Engineer for Sentinel-3C, Clara Di Nunzio, works at a console in a mission operations room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.

Clara’s desk features multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and system status information. Additional operators are seated at nearby workstations in the background, while the ESA logo is visible on the wall, highlighting an active mission-control environment.Two Ground Operations Managers, Pablo Asenjo Garcia and Ruddy-Herard Chatim, sit at a workstation at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.

The workstation features multiple monitors displaying spacecraft operations data and communication schedules. Laptops, consoles, and control-room equipment are arranged across the desk, while additional screens and workstations fill the background of the mission operations room.Federico Ferre, Data Handling Engineer at ESA, sits at a workstation at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) during the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) for Copernicus Sentinel-3C.


Federico is wearing a headset works at a multi-screen workstation, monitoring spacecraft operations data, schedules, and system status displays. Printed procedures, a laptop, and several monitors are arranged across the desk, while additional operators and wall-mounted displays are visible in the background of the mission operations room.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 17/09/2026
good guess, but not quite 😇
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 17/09/2026
ESA has awarded contracts to ICEYE and Leonardo for architecture studies supporting the future Earth Observation Governmental Service. These studies contribute to the ERS-EO programme, a strategic effort to strengthen Europe’s resilience, security and autonomy. 🔗 www.esa.int/Applications...
esa.int
ESA awards contracts for Europe’s EOGS blueprint
The European Space Agency has awarded two contracts, one to ICEYE and one to Leonardo, to carry out parallel architecture studies for the EU’s future Earth Observation Governmental Service (EOGS).Thes...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 17/09/2026
Where on Earth is this? Over to you! Share your guess ⤵️
Satellite image of a mountainous landscape dusted with snow, cut by branching valleys and ridges. Two striking turquoise-blue lakes stand out near the centre-right, contrasting with the surrounding brown and white terrain.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 16/09/2026
Nearly 5 decades of satellite data reveal the scale of polar ice loss🧊 Using data from 27 missions, including @esa.int's CryoSat & Copernicus Sentinels, a new study found that Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tonnes of ice since the 1970s: www.esa.int/Applications... 📹Otosaka et al(2026)
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
Using EarthCARE to fine-tune climate models ☁️ Scientists compared EarthCARE observations with a regional climate model and found mismatches in how some clouds were represented, helping identify where the model could be improved. Read more 👇 earth.esa.int/eogateway/su...
earth.esa.int
EarthCARE helps scientists fine-tune climate models over Greenland - Earth Online
EarthCARE makes a range of measurements that together shed new light on the role that clouds and aerosols play in regulating Earth’s climate. In a recent study, scientists used a regional climate mode...
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
Did you miss the overnight launch? 🚀 Catch the highlights from the liftoff of ESA’s FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C aboard Vega-C, launching two Earth observation missions on one rocket. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed... 📹 ESA
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
Two satellites launched, two signals received 📡 FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel-3C are both in orbit and in contact with ground control.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
ESA's FLEX has joined the chat!✅ First contact with our newest Earth Explorer has been established.
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
End of the line for FLEX! 🛰️ ESA’s FLEX satellite has separated from Vega-C and is officially flying solo. Thanks for the ride, @transport.esa.int 👋
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
And… we’re connected! Copernicus Sentinel-3C has just sent back its first signall! 📢
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ESA Earth Observation @esaearth.esa.int · 15/09/2026
Update from space ✨ Copernicus Sentinel-3C just separated from the Vega-C rocket, leaving onboard only the FLEX spacecraft, due to separate later.
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