Smile Mission Update: Beginning Science Operations
Date: 30/09/2026
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Overview
On September 23, the European-Chinese Smile mission was officially declared ready to study how Earth interacts with solar wind—a significant milestone after its launch on May 19 and subsequent commissioning.
Mission Readiness
The Smile spacecraft underwent extensive in-space procedures since its June 20 orbital insertion, including:
- Deploying mechanisms
- Activating units
- Verifying communication systems
- Addressing technical issues
Quote: “Smile is now approved to begin science operations… I am sure our collaboration will deliver groundbreaking data to scientists worldwide.” — Professor Carole Mundell, ESA Director of Science
Instrument Preparation
The commissioning phase involved testing Smile’s four key instruments:
-
Soft X-ray Imager (SXI)
- Initially captured images of celestial events to assess functionality.
- Currently adjusting settings to minimize stray light interference.
-
Ultraviolet Aurora Imager (UVI)
- Captured the full northern lights in ultraviolet light for the first time since 2008.
-
Magnetometer (MAG)
-
Light Ion Analyser (LIA)
Together, these instruments will enhance understanding of solar storms, geomagnetic storms, and space weather.
First Results
- The UVI camera recorded disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field due to solar wind.
- The SXI has taken images of a distant exploded star but requires adjustments for optimal Earth observation, expected in mid-October.
Documentary Release
A new documentary chronicling the mission’s development from June 2024 to May 2026, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, is now available.
About the Smile Mission
- Objective: Study solar wind impacts on Earth’s magnetosphere.
- Collaboration: Joint effort between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, part of ESA’s Cosmic Vision program.
For more information, visit: Smile Mission
