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 window: 8 April – 7 May 2026
  • Launch location: Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
  • Launch vehicle: Vega-C
  • Destination: highly elliptical orbit around Earth
Smile

Latest

ESA and CAS teams working on the Smile mission
Science & Exploration

Smile approved for launch in spring 2026

20/11/2025 4195 views 42 likes
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Smile sees the light
Science & Exploration

Smile passes gruelling set of tests

15/07/2025 3243 views 40 likes
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Perfect placement for Smile’s payload module
Science & Exploration

When two become one: engineers get Smile ready for launch

06/03/2025 2890 views 48 likes
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Science & Exploration

Smiles all round: Vega-C to launch ESA solar wind mission

30/04/2024 3374 views 35 likes
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The Smile mission
Science & Exploration

ESA gives go-ahead for Smile mission with China

05/03/2019 7868 views 99 likes
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More items

  • Science & Exploration

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

    13/11/2024 3812 views 81 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    06/03/2025 1305 views 25 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    15/07/2025 2484 views 36 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    21/11/2025 1183 views 19 likes
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Smile overview