European Space Agency’s Smile Satellite Successfully Launches to Study Solar Wind Effects

The European Space Agency’s Smile satellite successfully launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on May 19, 2026. The rocket lifted off at 04:52 BST, 05:52 CEST, or 00:52 local time. This mission, designated as Vega-C flight VV29, saw the 35-meter tall, 210-tonne rocket use three solid-propellant stages to carry Smile into orbit, with a liquid-propellant fourth stage ensuring a precise deployment.

Smile, which stands for Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer, is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Equipped with four scientific instruments, the satellite aims to investigate how Earth reacts to solar wind from the Sun. Through these observations, Smile will enhance the understanding of solar storms and geomagnetic events, contributing to the broader field of space weather science.