EU-China SMILE Spacecraft Launches to Study Solar Winds

A joint European-Chinese spacecraft named SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) successfully launched from French Guiana. Its mission is to observe how Earth's magnetic shield reacts to solar winds and storms, aiming to understand how the sun causes auroras.

19 May, 07:06 — 19 May, 07:53

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Why this matters

Understanding solar winds and space weather is crucial as intense solar storms can disrupt satellite communications, endanger astronauts in orbit, and impact power grids on Earth. The SMILE mission's investigation into how Earth's magnetic shield protects us from these phenomena will enhance our ability to predict and mitigate the effects of space weather.

Key entitiesEuropean Space Agency (ESA)China SMILE Kourou, French Guiana Vega-C rocket

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hindustan-timesMostly Factual1h ago

European-Chinese spacecraft SMILE sent on solar wind exploration mission

The spacecraft achieved lift-off on a Vega-C rocket at 0352 GMT on Tuesday from Europe's spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

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straits-timesMostly Factual2h ago

EU-China spacecraft takes off on mission to probe solar winds - The Straits Times

EU-China spacecraft takes off on mission to probe solar winds The Straits Times

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rfi-englishMostly Factual2h ago

EU-China solar exploration spaceship launches successfully from French Guiana

A joint European–Chinese spacecraft has blasted off into orbit on a pioneering mission to uncover what happens when violent solar storms crash into Earth’s magnetic shield, in a project that could improve forecasts of dangerous space weather and deepen understanding of the auroras that light up polar skies.

By RFI

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