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👩‍💻 👨‍💻 🧑‍💻 The teams at @esa.int’s #ESOC mission control will now spend around 70 hours guiding both #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C through their first days in orbit. 🛰️🛰️ For now, that’s it from us on this exciting dual launch! Congrats to all the teams involved! 🙌 📷 ESA

Wide view of the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), with members of the FLEX mission control team monitoring multiple computer displays. Large wall-mounted screens show mission data and status information, while electronic boards listing spacecraft and launch details line the room beneath the distinctive honeycomb-patterned ceiling. The illuminated ESA and ESOC logos are visible at the front of the operations room.

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🎉 🎉 @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C are in space and healthy: we don’t just have one mission, we have two! 🚀🛰️🛰️ 👏 Congratulations to the engineers, operators, flight dynamics experts, ground station teams and partners who made this remarkable dual-spacecraft launch a success.

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We hear you! @esa.int’s #FLEX spacecraft has phoned home. 📞 At 5:22 CEST, teams at #ESOC mission control acquired the first signal from the spacecraft via KSAT’s Svalbard station. 📡 We now have signal from both spacecraft in this unique dual launch. 🛰️🛰️ 📷 ESA/ATG medialab

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Hello #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C – we hear you loud and clear! KSAT‘s Troll ground station in Antarctica has acquired the satellite's first signal from space. 📡 Telemetry is now flowing into @esa.int’s #ESOC mission control in Germany. 🛰️ 📷 ESA/ATG medialab

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We have lift-off! 🚀 #Copernicus #Sentinel- 3C’s first signals are scheduled to arrive at #ESOC mission control via a ground antenna at KSAT’s Troll ground station in Antarctica in about 60 minutes. After that, we expect to hear from @esa.int’s #FLEX. 💪

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It’s time! ⏰ Tune in now on ESA YouTube or watch.esa.int/two/ to follow the unique dual launch of @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C. Liftoff in appx. 25 minutes! 🚀 🛰️ 🛰️

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📣 Go/no-go Roll Call complete! All stations are reporting green. Both mission teams at ESA's #ESOC have given their go for the launch of @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C in appx. 60 minutes. 📷 ESA

Two Ground Operations Managers, Pablo Asenjo Garcia and Chatim Ruddy-Herard, sit at a workstation with 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.

Walter Fiore, Spacecraft Operations Engineer for FLEX at ESA, sits at a workstation in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Walter is working on a laptop while monitoring multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and timelines. Large wall-mounted status displays and ESA branding are visible in the background, highlighting an active mission-control environment.

Maria Jose Parra Ortega, Spacecraft Operations Engineer for the Copernicus Sentinel-3C at ESA, works at a control-room workstation with multiple monitors displaying spacecraft operations data and system status information. A laptop and communications equipment are arranged on the desk, while additional workstations and digital clocks are visible in the background of the mission operations room.

Vladimir Zelenevskiy, Spacecraft Operations Engineer for FLEX at ESA, works at a console in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Vladimir monitoring multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and timelines. Large wall-mounted status displays and the illuminated ESA and ESOC logos are visible in the background, highlighting an active mission-control environment during spacecraft operations.

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#ESOC mission control has never been more ready. 💪 After completing key steps of the network countdown, the B shift has handed over to the A shift, now on console for the final countdown, liftoff and first signal acquisition for @esa.int's #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C. 📷 ESA/J.Mai

Large group photo of ESA’s FLEX and Copernicus Sentinel‑3C teams gathered outside a building at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). Team members wearing mission polo shirts stand on steps and around the entrance, with several people in the front holding a spacecraft model and others gesturing toward it, celebrating the joint mission effort.

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While #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C and @esa.int’s #FLEX missions prepare for liftoff, teams at #ESOC are performing final readiness checks with the supporting ground stations: 📡 ESA’s Kiruna station, KSAT’s Troll and Svalbard stations and SSC Space’s Alaska station. 🎥ESA

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Don't miss it – @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C are ready for liftoff tonight! 📺 Broadcast starts at 02:50 CEST. 🚀 Liftoff is scheduled for 03:21 CEST. Watch live at watch.esa.int/two/ or on ESA YouTube. 📺

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The countdown is on! The ‘Network Countdown’ for the dual launch of @esa.int's #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C has begun! Launch, communication and control facilities around the world are gearing up ahead of liftoff at 3:21 CEST. Watch live at watch.esa.int/two/ or on ESA YouTube. 📷 ESA

ESA Spacecraft Operations Engineer Francis Gneba sits at a console in the Main Control Room at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), monitoring multiple screens displaying spacecraft operations data and timelines. Large wall-mounted status displays and the illuminated ESA and ESOC logos are visible in the background, highlighting the active mission-control environment.

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Any questions? You can ask our Hera Space Companion right now - our AI fed with approved operational, scientific and technical knowledge, making ESA’s first planetary defence mission accessible to everyone! hera.esa.int

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 12/09/2026

💡Key takeaways from the new ESA 2026 Space Environment Report: long-term projections worsen drastically. Read the bite-size summary of the yearly status report on space debris and the impact of mitigation measures 👉 esa.int/Space_Safety...

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Meet a key member of our Hera asteroid mission team: the Hera Space Companion, not just an AI chatbot but a dynamic communication platform, ready to answer all your questions! hera.esa.int

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 11/09/2026

How have @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C operations teams been preparing for the upcoming dual launch on 15 September? A rigorous series of launch and early orbit simulations. 🎮 Read more about how #ESOC puts two teams to the test simultaneously 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup... 📷ESA

Emilie Brannan, a Simulation Officer for Sentinel-3C at ESA, and Felix Romero Gomez, a Simulation Officer for FLEX at ESA, sit at neighbouring workstations in the Simulation Office at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre. Computer monitors displaying mission data, laptops, and control-room equipment line the desks behind them. Both Emilie and Felix are facing the camera and smiling.

A team of ESA Simulation Officers gathers in the Simulation Office at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre.

Simulation Officers pictured are Emilie Brannan (Sentinel-3C), Joe Bush (Sentinel-3C), Felix Romero Gomez (FLEX), and Gustavo Baldo Carvalho (FLEX) as well as ESA’s Ground Operations Manager for FLEX Giulio Baldo. Joe trained Gustavo, who in turn trained Emilie and Felix - representing three generations of ESA simulation officers.

The room is equipped with multiple computer workstations and large wall-mounted displays showing mission data and orbital visualisations. Several team members sit at consoles while others stand and discuss activities, creating a collaborative mission-control environment.

A team of ESA Simulation Officers for FLEX in the Simulation Office at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre, including Felix Romero Gomez (FLEX) and Gustavo Baldo Carvalho (FLEX) as well as ESA’s Ground Operations Manager for FLEX Giulio Baldo.

The officers monitor data on multiple computer screens. Gustavo leans over the console while the Giulio and Felix use headsets and radios, with laptops, keyboards, and mission planning charts spread across the desk in a busy control-room environment.

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 10/09/2026

It’s almost time for a very special launch.🛰️🛰️ For the last few weeks, two mission operations teams have been gearing up for the simultaneous launch of @esa.int’s #FLEX and #Copernicus #Sentinel-3C on 15 September. 📺 Tune in and watch both missions begin their journey! www.esa.int/Applications...

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Watch: FLEX and Sentinel-3C launch on Vega-C

The European Space Agency’s FLEX satellite and the Copernicus Sentinel-3C satellite are scheduled to launch together aboard a Vega-C rocket on 15 September at 03:21 CEST (14 September at 22:21 local t...

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 10/09/2026

An asteroid killed the dinosaurs because they didn’t have a space agency – so ESA’s Hera asteroid mission has a dino mascot (also aboard the spacecraft in real life!). But our dino needs a name – that’s where you come in! www.esa.int/Space_Safety...

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Reposted by ESA Operations

Josef Aschbacher @josefaschbacher.esa.int · 10/09/2026

Will we be passengers or pilots? Customers or service providers? Tenants or architects? At the International Space Summit, I argued that Europe must take steps now to shape its own future in space. Read my full speech 🧑‍🚀🚀 esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/corpora... #ParisSpaceSummit

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Reposted by ESA Operations

Josef Aschbacher @josefaschbacher.esa.int · 09/09/2026

Last night we brought together astronauts, ministers, industry leaders and space enthusiasts to celebrate the imagination, innovation and cooperation that define Europe's journey in space. From Earth orbit to deep space, we were reminded that today's ambitions become tomorrow's achievements.

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 07/09/2026

Metre-sized meteoroid 2026 RW1 (previously known as CERNQ52) hit the ocean off NW Australia on Sunday afternoon - but the impact was forecast roughly six hours in advance, using ESA’s Meerkat automated system for predicting imminent impactors! neo.ssa.esa.int/imminent-imp...

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 07/09/2026

A milestone years in the making 🎉 9.9 billion km ✅ 9 flybys ✅ MTM separation ✅ @esa.int / #JAXA 's #BepiColombo has successfully completed its 1st #Mercury arrival step! Congratulations to the teams who made it happen! 🚀 Read more here 👉 www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup... @science.esa.int

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ACQUISITION OF SIGNAL CONFIRMED! 🎉🛰️ #BepiColombo telemetry shows the Mercury Transfer Module has successfully separated from the spacecraft stack! ✅ First step of Mercury arrival phase - complete! 👏 Next stop: Mercury orbit insertion for MPO and Mio in November! @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

First signal after seperation from BepiColombo

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📡 Estrack deep space antennas are in position for #BepiColombo. Cebreros ready for separation detection - check! ☑️ Malargüe ready for background tracking - check! ☑️ @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

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📶Preliminary #BepiColombo Doppler separation signal detected. Initial tracking data are consistent with the planned MTM separation sequence. Now awaiting acquisition of signal at 15:53 CEST for full confirmation. @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

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The #BepiColombo Mission Control Team is now checking the final telemetry received from the spacecraft during execution of MTM separation. ☑️ @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

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⏳ The countdown is over. #BepiColombo's Mercury Transfer Module should have now separated from the spacecraft, a key step in the mission's journey towards orbiting #Mercury. 🛰️↔️🚀 Now expecting acquisition of signal confirming separation no earlier than 15:53 CEST. @esa.int #JAXA

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The #BepiColombo MTM separation sequence has now started on-board, taking care of all that is needed for separation to take place. 🛰️ We'll only see this on ground about 11 min later. ⏱️ Mission teams are closely tracking system status ahead of this key milestone. 📈 @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

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🚨 LIVE NOW! From ESA Mission Control The GO was given, the operation is underway, our livestream has begun. Follow along as #BepiColombo executes the MTM separation sequence and enters the next phase of its journey to #Mercury. ☀️🌑🛰️ Watch here 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7l... @esa.int #JAXA

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🟢 GO for MTM separation. The Mission Control Team has the green light to proceed with #BepiColombo's MTM separation. ✅ The spacecraft is configured, the team is ready, and the first milestone of #Mercury arrival is underway. 🛰️ @esa.int #JAXA

The BepiColombo flight control team assembled in the Main Control Room at ESOC

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Nearly eight years. 9.9 billion kilometres. 2 years of cumulative thrusting.☀️🌑🛰️ Today, #BepiColombo and its Mercury Transfer Module part ways. Thank you, MTM, for making the journey possible. Farewell, old friend.💙 @esa.int #JAXA #Mercury

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 02/09/2026

Today is the day! 🎉 After 8 years, @esa.int / #JAXA's #BepiColombo begins its arrival at #Mercury! ☀️🌑🛰️ Watch MTM separation live from ESA's mission control on YouTube today at 13:45 CEST! Click here to watch 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7l...

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🔥 Check out the first image of Tango’s reentry – @esa.int’s final Cluster spacecraft. But that’s not all – we caught Samba on video, too! 👉 www.esa.int/Space_Safety... 📸 ESA/ROSIE/University of Stuttgart (HEFDiG)

ESA’s Cluster Tango spacecraft re-enters Earth’s atmosphere against a dark blue sky, leaving multiple bright glowing streaks and fragments trailing behind it. The luminous trails extend diagonally across the image, illustrating the breakup of the object as it descends through the upper atmosphere.

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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 02/09/2026

The mission? #BepiColombo 🛰️ The destination? #Mercury ☀️🌑 Join us live tomorrow at 13:45 CEST from ESA's mission control on YouTube as we cover the @esa.int / #JAXA mission's MTM separation! Click here to watch 👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7l...

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🫶 And there were none... Tango danced its final dance and reentered the atmosphere at 23:30:31 CEST. The signal from the spacecraft via Kourou was lost forever 13 minutes earlier. But once more: the airborne observation campaign has reported success - stay tuned! blogs.esa.int/rocketscienc...

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The team flies out again today for the final Cluster reentry of Tango, with the promise of video footage once they’ve completed their task!

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🔥Samba’s reentry was recorded! There is fire streaking across the sky in this first image from the ROSIE plane campaign. Credit: ESA/ROSIE/University of Stuttgart (HEFDiG) Read more: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...

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