Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
Vega-C launched the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission for Avio S.p.A from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on May 19, 2026 (UTC).
Launch pad
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) · Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
Launched May 19, 2026 12:52:10 PMSuccess
1 object in orbit now
Flight direction
20° NNE
measured from the launched orbit · inclination 70.0°
Flight path
First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)
Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.
About the mission
Joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.
Mission description from Launch Library 2.
Objects from this launch still in orbit
- Launch time (your time zone)
- Tue, May 19 · 12:52:10 PM
- Status
- Success
- Launch provider
- Avio S.p.A
- Rocket
- Vega-C
- Mission type
- Astrophysics
- Target orbit
- Elliptical
- Launch pad
- Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) · Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana