Upcoming Smile Mission Aims to Capture X-ray Images of Earth's Magnetic Field
The Smile mission, a collaborative effort between ESA and China, is scheduled for launch on April 9 from French Guiana to study Earth's magnetic field using X-ray imaging.
The Smile mission is poised for launch on April 9, utilizing a Vega-C rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission represents a significant collaborative effort between the European Space Agency and China.
The primary objective of the Smile mission is to image Earth's magnetic field in X-rays, which could enhance our understanding of the planet's magnetosphere.
This mission has been in the works for a considerable time, reflecting the dedication of both ESA and Chinese scientists to advance our knowledge of Earth's magnetic shield.
Updates
Update at 18:08 UTC on 2026-05-15
SpaceNews reported A pioneering joint ESA-China science mission to study Earth’s magnetosphere is set to launch May 19, after a decade of preparations.
Sources: SpaceNews