Joint ESA–China mission begins mapping Earth’s protective magnetic field

ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched the SMILE spacecraft from French Guiana to study Earth’s magnetosphere.

SMILE deployed its solar panels and sent back its first signal within two hours of launch.

The mission will observe how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic shield using X-ray and ultraviolet measurements.

Its findings should improve understanding of space weather risks for satellites, astronauts, and life on Earth.