Jena, September 13, 2026 – Featuring high-precision optics from Jena, the ESA Earth observation mission FLEX is scheduled to launch on September 15, 2026, from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. The satellite aims to monitor plant photosynthesis directly from an orbit at an altitude of approximately 814 kilometers.
- Event: Launch of the ESA satellite FLEX
- Date: September 15, 2026, 03:21 CEST
- Participation: Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) Jena
- Core components: Double-slit assembly and high-precision mirrors
The invisible signal from space
When plants suffer from environmental factors or solar radiation, they alter their photosynthesis and emit weak fluorescence signals. The satellite is equipped with the “Fluorescence Imaging Spectrometer” (Floris) to capture this radiation. The telescope’s spatial resolution is 300 by 300 meters, allowing for the analysis of individual agricultural fields.
Technological excellence from Fraunhofer IOF
Essential components for this spectrometer originate directly from Jena. The Fraunhofer IOF has manufactured a central double-slit assembly that precisely directs incoming light onto a detector. The slit measures exactly 44.15 millimeters in length and 85 micrometers in width, with a maximum permissible deviation of only one micrometer.
Additionally, the institute provides state-of-the-art mirrors that direct light onto the sensors. These must be extremely smooth – irregularities of more than 0.3 nanometers are not permitted to prevent measurement errors during data evaluation.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5
Official hiking map for the Saaletal and Jena
Ideal for exploring the local nature and fields around Jena.
Background: Harsh conditions in orbit
Before the Jena precision technology can deliver data, it must withstand the extreme stresses of the rocket launch. This includes high acceleration, shock loads during the separation of rocket stages, and extreme thermal conditions in space. The assemblies must not only remain undamaged but also maintain their precise mechanical alignment.
Source:
Flex: Technology from Jena for the plant doctor in space
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.