The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is a joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic environment and drives space weather. The spacecraft consists of two primary modules: the Payload Module, built by ESA and developed by Airbus, and the Platform, provided by CAS. The Payload Module houses three of the four scientific instruments, along with the X-band telemetry system and the payload data handling unit. The Platform contains the propulsion subsystem, service equipment, and supporting spacecraft systems.

SMILE carries four scientific instruments: the Soft X-ray Imager, the Ultraviolet Imager, the Light Ion Analyzer, and the Magnetometer. The Soft X-ray Imager is a wide-field “lobster-eye” telescope that detects soft X-rays in the 0.2–2.5 keV range using micropore optics and CCD detectors. It produces global images of key magnetospheric boundaries such as the bow shock, magnetopause, and cusps by observing X-rays generated through solar wind charge exchange with neutral atoms in Earth’s exosphere, rather than directly imaging the magnetic field itself.

The Ultraviolet Imager is designed to observe auroral emissions in the ultraviolet range (around 160–180 nm) using a multi-mirror optical system. It provides a wide field of view and high temporal resolution, enabling continuous monitoring of auroral activity over long periods during each orbit.

The in situ instruments include the Light Ion Analyzer and the Magnetometer. The Light Ion Analyzer measures three-dimensional velocity distributions of solar wind ions, including protons and alpha particles, in the 0.2–20 keV energy range, helping to characterise how solar wind plasma enters and evolves in near-Earth space. The Magnetometer uses two fluxgate sensors mounted on a long boom to reduce spacecraft magnetic interference, measuring vector magnetic fields and their variations in the magnetosphere.

SMILE will operate in a highly elliptical, high-inclination Earth orbit with a perigee of about 5,000 km and an apogee of about 121,000 km (approximately 19 Earth radii). This orbit allows long uninterrupted science observation periods of roughly 40–45 hours per orbit near apogee. The spacecraft has a launch mass of about 2,300 kg and uses a propulsion system to transfer from its initial orbit into its final science orbit after launch aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Courtesy of ESA.

ESA’s Vega-C is a next-generation launch vehicle that succeeds the original Vega rocket, offering enhanced performance, greater payload volume, and increased competitiveness. Operating from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, Vega-C strengthens Europe’s independent access to space and supports a wider range of missions, including return-to-Earth operations with ESA's upcoming reusable Space Rider vehicle.

Specs

Height: 34.8 m (114 ft)

Diameter: 3.4 m (11 ft)

Mass: 210,000 kg (460,000 lb)

Stages: 4

Payload to sun-synchronous orbit: 2,300 kg (5,100 lb)

Payload to polar orbit: 2,250 kg (4,960 lb)

Vega-C is designed to accommodate a variety of missions, from launching small CubeSats to carrying a single large satellite. It features significant upgrades over its predecessor, including new solid propulsion stages, an enhanced upper stage with reignition capability, a larger fairing for increased volume, and upgraded ground infrastructure.

Its upper stage, AVUM+ (Attitude Vernier Upper Module), enables precise orbital insertions and multiple burns, making it ideal for delivering multiple payloads to different orbits in a single mission. Once all payloads are deployed, AVUM+ performs a final deorbit burn to minimize space debris.

Vega-C’s development and operations are supported by multiple ESA member states, reflecting broad European cooperation. Participating countries include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Courtesy of ESA

The Ensemble de Lancement Vega (ELV) pad at the Centre Spatial Guyanais (Guiana Space Centre) was previously used to launch the Europa, Ariane 1, Ariane 2, and Ariane 3 rockets under a different name.

It hosted its first launch on November 5, 1971, when a Europa rocket carried the STV-4 payload. The pad was last used in 1989 for the final Ariane 3 launch before going unused until 2012, when Vega began operations.

Located in French Guiana, the ELV pad is part of the French and European spaceport near Kourou, on the northern coast of South America.

Guiana Space Centre

The Guiana Space Centre has been operational since 1968, serving the European Space Agency (ESA), the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), and commercial companies such as Arianespace and Azercosmos.

A total of nine different rocket types have launched from the spaceport, including three active rockets and six retired vehicles.

The current launch vehicles operating from the Guiana Space Centre include:

Ariane 5 – for heavy payloads.

Soyuz 2 (provided by Russia) – for medium-mass satellites.

Vega – for smaller spacecraft.

The spaceport is also preparing for the upcoming Ariane 6, Vega C, and Vega E rockets, which are currently under development.

Photo courtesy of Arianespace