ESA-China SMILE space weather mission launches May 19 from French Guiana

Europe and China launch the joint SMILE satellite on May 19, 2026 from French Guiana. The mission carries the first X-ray camera built to image Earth's magnetic shield plus a UV camera that watches the northern lights nonstop for 45 hours - to better forecast solar storms that th

Europe and China launch the joint SMILE satellite on May 19, 2026 from French Guiana. The mission carries the first X-ray camera built to image Earth's magnetic shield plus a UV camera that watches the northern lights nonstop for 45 hours - to better forecast solar storms that threaten power grids and satellites.