Vega C Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) Mission

joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences that studies the interaction of Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.

An Arianespace Vega C rocket will launch the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) Mission mission on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 3:52 AM (UTC).