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

Smile launch kit cover
Science & Exploration

Smile launch kit

25/02/2026 290 views 1 likes
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Smile leaving Saint-Nazaire in France
Science & Exploration

Smile sets sail for Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana

20/02/2026 2095 views 28 likes
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ESA and CAS teams working on the Smile mission
Science & Exploration

Smile approved for launch in spring 2026

20/11/2025 4561 views 43 likes
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Smile sees the light
Science & Exploration

Smile passes gruelling set of tests

15/07/2025 3334 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 2982 views 48 likes
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More items

  • Science & Exploration

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

    13/11/2024 3887 views 81 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    06/03/2025 1357 views 26 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    15/07/2025 2570 views 36 likes
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  • Science & Exploration

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

    21/11/2025 1335 views 19 likes
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Smile overview