The ESA-CAS SMILE mission launched on 19 May 2026 aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, marking a rare high-level science collaboration between Europe and China. After lift-off, the spacecraft was confirmed in its planned orbit with solar arrays deployed and all systems operating normally.
SMILE, or Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer, is designed to deliver the first panoramic X-ray imaging of the interaction between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere. The mission will study space weather dynamics and improve understanding of geomagnetic storms and their impact on satellites, power grids and communications.
CAS said the launch opened a “new chapter” in China-ESA space cooperation. The programme has been structured as a bottom-up, full-lifecycle partnership, with CAS leading the satellite platform, operations and ground support, while ESA contributed the payload module, launcher, launch site and launch-phase tracking support.
Following launch, SMILE is due to spend about 26 days reaching its final science orbit, then two months in commissioning before starting a three-year routine observation phase.