Smile was successfully launched from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana on May 19, 2026.
This timelapse captures the excitement and precision of launch operations as the spacecraft begins its journey to study the connection between the Sun and Earth.
Smile (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) is an international space science mission designed to investigate how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere. By observing these dynamic processes from space, Smile will help scientists better understand space weather and its effects on our planet’s magnetic environment.