TheEuropean Space Agency(ESA) has secured a ride for its solar wind satellite.
The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer or Smile for short will blast intospaceaboard a Vega-C rocket.
The launch is scheduled for late 2025 from Europes spaceport in French Guiana.
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Using an ultraviolet camera, Smile will also give us the longest-ever continuous look at the northern lights.
Joint space mission
The Earths magnetic field acts as a giant shield against harmful solar rays.
Without it, humanity would be exposed to potentially life-threatening radiation and cosmic rays.
Power grids and satellites would malfunction.
The partners designed and built the probe, and will operate it together.
It marks Europe and Chinas first entirely joint space mission.
Here, the two sections will be joined together.
After which the spacecraft will be tested for the first time.
First launched in July 2022, it has been grounded since March 2023, following alaunch failure.
It isexpectedto take off again later this year if all goes to plan.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
