The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is a joint mission between the CAS and the European Space Agency (ESA) that aims to deepen the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere.
The SMILE satellite has completed the development work in China, including satellite testing, system interface testing and environmental experiments, according to the National Space Science Center of the CAS.
The SMILE is about to depart for Europe. It is scheduled for launch by the end of 2025 from Europe's space launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, by Arianespace's Vega-C launch vehicle. (Xinhua)
Technicians check the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
A technician checks the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
A technician checks the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
A technician measures the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Technicians check the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Technicians pack the battery pack of the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Customs officers check the packages for the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
A technician checks the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
A technician packs the battery pack of the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Technicians measure the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
A technician checks the SMILE satellite at a workshop of the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
European and Chinese scientists have recommended the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer as their candidate for a collaborative science mission for launch in 2021. "Smile" will investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind. The mission is expected to make an important contribution to our understanding of space weather and, in particular, the physical processes taking place during the continuous interaction between the solar wind and the magnetosphere.
A space mission called SMILE (Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) which is jointly led by UCL and the Chinese National Space Science Center has received the go-ahead for an initial study phase this summer by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
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