Smile passes its qualification and flight acceptance review

In October 2025, the Smile mission passed its qualification and flight acceptance review, meaning that it meets all requirements for launch. The launch window has been set for 8 April to 7 May 2026.

In this photo, colleagues from the European Space Agency and Chinese Academy of Sciences celebrate the milestone in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

Read more about the passing of the qualification and flight acceptance review

Smile (the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) is a collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

[Image description: A group of around 35 people standing outdoors on a paved area, posing for a photo. Most are dressed in formal business attire, such as suits and jackets. Behind them are trees and greenery, and part of a light-coloured building with a sloping roof is visible on the right.]