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 6757 views 37 likes
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Smile lifts off into space (artist impression)
Science & Exploration

How to follow the Smile launch live

12/05/2026 10528 views 63 likes
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Smile delivered to space (artist impression, GIF)
Science & Exploration

Smile set to launch on 19 May

23/04/2026 5828 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 3681 views 39 likes
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Smile arrives at Europe's Spaceport
Science & Exploration

Smile arrives at Europe’s Spaceport

09/03/2026 3214 views 30 likes
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More items

  • Science & Exploration

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

    13/11/2024 4304 views 83 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    06/03/2025 1587 views 26 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    15/07/2025 3000 views 36 likes
    Open item
  • Science & Exploration

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

    21/11/2025 1907 views 21 likes
    Open item

Smile overview