Smile Enters Science Phase After In-Orbit Commissioning
The joint European-Chinese mission will examine the links between solar wind, the magnetosphere and auroras.
The European-Chinese Smile mission has entered science operations after completing in-orbit commissioning. Launched on 19 May, the spacecraft reached its target orbit on 20 June, after which teams deployed mechanisms, tested communications and checked its four scientific instruments.
Smile will combine ultraviolet, X-ray, magnetic-field and particle measurements to investigate how solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetosphere. Its ultraviolet instrument has already captured extended observations of the auroral ring, while engineers are modifying settings and software on the X-ray imager to reduce stray light before attempting detailed images of the magnetopause.
Source: European Space Agency, 2026-09-30.
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