AI Insight
The European Space Agency (ESA) will broadcast live coverage of the Smile mission launch, scheduled for 04:52 BST on 19 May 2026, from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Smile is a collaborative mission between ESA and China, designed to study the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetosphere. The spacecraft will be carried into orbit aboard a European Vega-C rocket.
Why it matters
The Smile mission aims to provide new insights into space weather dynamics, which has direct implications for protecting satellites, communication systems, and power grids on Earth from solar wind disturbances.
Understand the Science
ESA will be broadcasting live as the European-Chinese Smile mission launches at 04:52 BST/05:52 CEST (00:52 local time) on 19 May 2026.
Smile will launch on a European Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
Times subject to change at short notice.