Europe and China plan joint space mission "Smile"
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing an exciting new mission. On May 19, 2026, the European-Chinese mission "Smile" is scheduled to launch into space. The launch is planned for the early morning and marks an important milestone in international cooperation between Europe and China.
A European Vega-C rocket will carry the satellite into space from the spaceport. First, Smile will reach a circular orbit at an altitude of about 700 kilometers. However, this is only the first step of a complex journey that requires precise technical maneuvers.
After the satellite reaches its first orbit, an intensive phase begins. Over the following 25 days, the spacecraft must ignite its engines a total of eleven times. These targeted ignitions are necessary to bring the vehicle into the correct position for its scientific measurements.
The main goal of the Smile mission is to better understand the connection between the Sun and the Earth. Researchers want to investigate how the so-called solar wind hits our planet's magnetic field. This information is important for better predicting the effects of space weather on Earth.
Interested parties can follow the launch of the mission live. ESA will broadcast the events on May 19, 2026, so that people worldwide can witness this significant moment. It is another example of how countries work together to explore the universe.