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ESA–CAS SMILE Mission
The European Space Agency in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences is set to launch the SMILE mission from French Guiana. The mission focuses on studying the interaction between solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere.
SMILE Mission:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Is known as Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer. |
| Launching Agencies | Is conducted by the European Space Agency in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. |
| Programme | Is part of the Cosmic Vision 2015–2025 programme of the European Space Agency. |
| Aim | Provides for understanding of solar wind interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere and Sun-Earth connection. |
| Launch Vehicle | Provides for launch using Vega-C rocket with capacity of about 2300 kg to polar orbit. |
| Launch Site | Is located at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. |
| Launch Schedule | Has been scheduled for April 9, 2026 with postponement under consideration. |
| Mission Duration | Provides for operational duration of about 3 years. |
| Orbit | Provides for highly elliptical orbit with apogee of about 121000 km and perigee of about 5000 km. |
| Instruments | Comprises soft X-ray imager, ultraviolet imager, magnetometer, and ion analyzer. |
| Key Feature | Provides for global imaging of Earth’s magnetosphere using X-ray observations. |
| Space Weather Role | Provides for monitoring of magnetosphere response to solar activity to improve prediction of space weather impacts. |
| Aurora Study | Provides for observation of auroras in ultraviolet and X-ray bands for extended durations. |
| Contribution Sharing | Comprises ESA providing payload modules and launcher support and CAS providing spacecraft platform and instruments. |