Signing for the UK’s National Satellite Test Facility.

The U.K. space industry has been boosted by a new contract award by Thales Alenia Space. The company has selected the UK’s National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF), at RAL Space in Oxfordshire, for the first comprehensive assembly, integration and test campaign of the European Space Agency’s FLEX (Fluorescence Explorer) satellite. Thales Alenia Space announced the contract award Dec. 15.

The 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. Information from FLEX will improve overall understanding of how carbon moves between plants and the atmosphere and how photosynthesis affects the carbon and water cycles. In addition, information from FLEX will give better insights into plant health. This is seen as especially important today since the Earth’s growing population is placing increasing demands on the production of food and animal feed. It is estimated that there will have to be more than a 50 percent increase in agricultural production by 2050 to meet demand. Understanding plant health and productivity could be considered essential to managing resources.

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) instrument. Developed by Leonardo, this high-resolution imaging spectrometer will map the Earth’s vegetation fluorescence to quantify photosynthetic activity.

“FLEX is a fascinating satellite and we’re delighted to be supporting Thales Alenia Space and ESA with its assembly and testing. The National Satellite Test Facility was purpose-build for just this sort of ambitious project, and we’re looking forward to putting FLEX through its paces and preparing it for the rigours of space,” Matt Fletcher, Head of Environmental Test at National Satellite Test Facility, RAL Space, said in a statement.