19 May 2026 year Fr. 03:52 (UTC) from the Kuru spaceport, French Guiana, using a launch vehicle «Vega-C» the mission was launched «SMILE».
Mission «Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)» – this is a joint project European Space Agency and Chinese Academy of Sciences, created to study the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere. The main goal of the mission is to better understand the mechanisms of geomagnetic storms and the impact of space weather on satellites, communication systems and the Earth's energy infrastructure.
On board "SMILE» four scientific instruments are installed: SXI X-ray camera, UVI camera, magnetometer MAG and ion analyzer LIA. The weight of the device is close 2,2 t will work in a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee above 120 thousand. km, which will allow global observations of the Earth's magnetosphere and the aurora borealis.
The mission, named VV29, was Vega C's debut launch, carried out by Avio as an operator of launch services. Prior to that, launches were carried out by Arianespace.
Marching engine unit (BMD) RD-843, which is used as part of the liquid propulsion system of the upper stage of the Vega C rocket, developed by SE "KB "South" and manufactured by SE "VO Pivdenny Machine-Building Plant". This engine, which uses environmentally safe fuel (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide), ensures accurate launch of satellites into orbit and their maneuvering. RD-843 is known for its reliability confirmed by numerous launches, which makes it a key element of the AVUM+ system (Attitude & Vernier Upper Module) Vega C rockets.
For RN "Vega-C» this mission is also important as a follow-up to post-accident return to regular operations 2022 року та подальшої модернізації носія.
According to the CCS