ESA title

The mission

Smile will use four science instruments to study how Earth responds to the solar wind from the Sun. This will improve our understanding of solar storms, geomagnetic storms and the science of space weather.

The launch

  • Launch date: 19 May 2026, 05:52 CEST
  • Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
  • Launch vehicle: Vega-C
  • Destination: highly elliptical orbit around Earth
Smile

Latest

Wide view of Vega-C liftoff with Smile
Science & Exploration

Smile lifts off on quest to reveal Earth’s invisible shield…

19/05/2026 755 views 7 likes
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Smile lifts off into space (artist impression)
Science & Exploration

How to follow the Smile launch live

12/05/2026 9898 views 62 likes
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Smile delivered to space (artist impression, GIF)
Science & Exploration

Smile set to launch on 19 May

23/04/2026 5614 views 47 likes
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Smile delivered to space (artist impression, GIF)
Science & Exploration

T-20 days: Smile to launch on 9 April

20/03/2026 3624 views 39 likes
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Smile arrives at Europe's Spaceport
Science & Exploration

Smile arrives at Europe’s Spaceport

09/03/2026 3189 views 30 likes
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More items

  • Science & Exploration

    Introducing the Smile mission – Let’s Smile (episode 1)

    13/11/2024 4276 views 82 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

    Completing the spacecraft – Let’s Smile (episode 2)

    06/03/2025 1575 views 26 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

    Testing, testing, testing – Let’s Smile (episode 3)

    15/07/2025 2982 views 36 likes
    Open item
  • Science & Exploration

    Good to go – Let's Smile (episode 4)

    21/11/2025 1893 views 21 likes
    Open item

Smile overview