Trending Now - New Spacecraft Set to Reveal Earth's Magnetic Shield and Solar Storms
WHO:
Phys.org - A joint European-Chinese spacecraft, known as SMILE, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The Daily Galaxy - ESA scientist Philippe Escoubet and Dimitra Koutroumpa of France’s CNRS institute.
WHAT:
Phys.org - The SMILE spacecraft blasted off into orbit to investigate the interaction between solar storms and Earth's magnetic shield.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is designed to observe violent solar activity from a completely new perspective.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft will make the first X-ray observations of Earth's magnetosphere during solar storm events.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is expected to begin collecting scientific data about one hour after entering orbit.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft's full name is Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer.
The Daily Galaxy - The launch had initially been planned for April 9 before being delayed because of a technical issue.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is expected to begin collecting scientific data about one hour after entering orbit.
The Daily Galaxy - The mission will be able to observe the northern lights continuously for up to 45 hours at a time.
Phys.org - The SMILE spacecraft launched to investigate the interaction between solar storms and Earth's magnetic shield.
The Daily Galaxy - The mission will make the first X-ray observations of Earth's magnetosphere during solar storm events.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is equipped with four scientific instruments, including a UK-built X-ray imager, a UV imager, an ion analyzer, and a magnetometer.
WHERE:
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft will send data to the Bernardo O’Higgins research station in Antarctica.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft will fly about 5,000 kilometers above the South Pole.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft will launch from Kourou, French Guiana.
The Daily Galaxy - SMILE will initially orbit around 700 kilometers above Earth and will fly as high as 121,000 kilometers above Earth during its northern pass.
The Daily Galaxy - Data will be sent to the Bernardo O’Higgins research station in Antarctica.
WHEN:
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is set to launch on a Tuesday.
The Daily Galaxy - The mission is planned to last three years, with potential for longer operations if the spacecraft remains in good condition.
WHY:
The Daily Galaxy - The mission aims to improve understanding of space weather, which can affect satellites, astronauts, and communication systems on Earth.
The Daily Galaxy - The objective is to study “the relationship between Earth and the sun,” according to Philippe Escoubet.
HOW:
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is equipped with four scientific instruments, including a UK-built X-ray imager, a UV imager, an ion analyzer, and a magnetometer produced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The Daily Galaxy - SMILE will initially orbit around 700 kilometers above Earth before moving into a highly elliptical trajectory, flying as high as 121,000 kilometers above Earth during its northern pass.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft is equipped with a UK-built X-ray imager, a UV imager, an ion analyzer, and a magnetometer produced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The Daily Galaxy - The spacecraft will observe regions linked to Earth’s magnetic shield, including the magnetopause, where solar particles encounter the planet’s magnetic field.
The Daily Galaxy - SMILE will be the first mission to observe Earth’s magnetosphere in X-ray light, revealing interactions between solar wind and Earth’s magnetic environment.
(UPDATED May 19, 2026 13:54 UTC)
The SMILE spacecraft has successfully launched into orbit to study the interaction between solar storms and Earth's magnetic shield, marking a significant advancement in space exploration. Equipped with four scientific instruments, including a UK-built X-ray imager and a magnetometer from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, SMILE will make the first X-ray observations of Earth's magnetosphere during solar storm events. After entering orbit, the spacecraft is expected to start collecting scientific data about an hour later and will transmit its findings to the Bernardo O’Higgins research station in Antarctica.
--
(UPDATED May 19, 2026 11:54 UTC)
The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer spacecraft has successfully launched after a delay from its original date of April 9 due to a technical issue. Once in orbit, it is expected to start collecting scientific data about an hour later and will be capable of continuously observing the northern lights for up to 45 hours at a time while flying approximately 5,000 kilometers above the South Pole. The spacecraft is outfitted with advanced instruments, including a UK-built X-ray imager, a UV imager, an ion analyzer, and a magnetometer developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
--
(UPDATED May 19, 2026 10:14 UTC)
A joint European-Chinese spacecraft named SMILE, developed by the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is set to launch from Kourou, French Guiana, on a Tuesday. This mission aims to investigate the interaction between solar storms and Earth's magnetic shield, making the first X-ray observations of the magnetosphere during such events, with data being sent to the Bernardo O’Higgins research station in Antarctica. Equipped with four scientific instruments, including a UK-built X-ray imager, SMILE will orbit around 700 kilometers above Earth and can fly as high as 121,000 kilometers during its northern pass, with operations planned to last three years or longer if conditions allow.