Serco awarded ESA contract to support FLEX Earth observation mission

Serco has been awarded a contract to lead the operations and maintenance of the FLEX Core Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS), known as F-COPS.

FLEX is an Earth observation satellite mission designed to measure vegetation fluorescence, providing scientists with information on photosynthesis, plant health and ecosystem changes.

The mission will support a better understanding of how vegetation responds to environmental stress, including climate-related pressures, before visible signs such as wilting or reduced growth appear.

Under the contract, Serco will be responsible for operating and maintaining the systems that plan, process and deliver FLEX satellite data products to users. This includes supporting the reliability, continuity and quality of the data services required for the mission.

Monitoring environmental changes

The FLEX award follows Serco’s involvement in other Payload Data Ground Segment operations for European Earth observation missions, including EarthCARE and Biomass, strengthening its role in supporting the delivery of mission-critical data for Europe’s space institutions.

The contract begins with an intense ramp-up phase to establish the operational infrastructure, procedures and team readiness, followed by a three-month commissioning period. Serco is expected to take full operational responsibility in January 2027.

Roberto Mulatti, Managing Director Space, Europe at Serco, said: “FLEX is an important mission for Europe’s Earth observation capability, helping to improve our understanding of vegetation health and the impact of environmental change. Serco’s role is to support ESA with reliable Payload Data Ground Segment operations, ensuring that mission data can be processed and made available to the scientific and user communities. This award reflects the trust placed in our teams to support complex space missions with operational continuity, technical expertise and long-term commitment.”