EU-China spacecraft takes off on mission to probe solar winds
A joint European-Chinese spacecraft named SMILE was launched on May 19 to study solar winds and their effects on Earth's magnetic field. The mission aims to make the first-ever X-ray observations of these interactions, which can impact satellites and astronauts. SMILE is expected to operate for three years, collecting data on solar storms and their potential threats to technology on Earth.
- ▪The SMILE spacecraft was launched from Kourou, French Guiana, on a Vega-C rocket.
- ▪It will make X-ray observations of the Earth's magnetic field to study solar winds.
- ▪The mission is a collaboration between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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EU-China spacecraft takes off on mission to probe solar windsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxThe Smile spacecraft lifted into place at the Vega launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.PHOTO: AFPPublished May 19, 2026, 02:12 PMUpdated May 19, 2026, 02:12 PMKOUROU - A joint European-Chinese spacecraft blasted off into orbit on May 19 to investigate what happens when extreme winds and giant explosions of plasma shot out from the Sun slam into Earth’s magnetic shield.Particularly fierce solar storms can knock out satellites, threaten astronauts – and create dazzling auroras in the skies known as the northern or southern lights.To find out more about this little-understood space weather, the van-sized SMILE spacecraft is tasked with making the first-ever X-ray…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.