Europe and China Start Smile Science Operations
Four instruments will observe solar wind and Earth's magnetic field.
The European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have approved the Smile spacecraft to begin science operations. The mission launched on 19 May and reached its planned orbit on 20 June before teams completed several months of tests.
Smile's four instruments will observe how charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field. Its ultraviolet camera has already recorded the full ring of northern lights around the North Pole for up to 45 hours at a time. Engineers are also adjusting the X-ray camera to reduce unwanted light.
Source: European Space Agency, 2026-09-30.
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Four instruments will observe solar wind and Earth's magnetic field. Add one supporting fact from the article.
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- Blue Origin's New Glenn 9x4 can now compete to launch future NASA missions.
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