Smile spacecraft (artist impression) @ESAScienceHub

Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

Smile will be ESA's first mission to view the full Sun-Earth connection, filling an essential gap in our understanding of the Solar System.

Specifically, Smile will improve our understanding of space weather (https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_weather) and solar storms. The magnetospheric bubble that surrounds Earth is invisible to our eyes, but with its UV and X-ray cameras, Smile will reveal this shield that protects us from the Sun. Its findings will help protect space-based technology and the lives of any humans in orbit around Earth, as well as infrastructure on Earth’s surface.

Find out more about Smile: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Smile

Smile is a collaboration between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Credit: ESA

We are Europe's gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.

Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_conditions_of_use_of_images_and_videos_available_on_the_esa_website

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