Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
Avio S.p.A launched a Vega-C rocket from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) carrying Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) to Elliptical Orbit on 19 May 2026, 03:52 UTC. Outcome: Launch Successful.
SuccessLaunch Successful
About the mission
Joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.