ESA/ARIANESPACE

Ariane 62 | Smile

SUCCESSDec 5, 2025 at 10:15 UTCAriane 62 →
SITEKourou ELA-4
ORBITHEO

ESA’s Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (Smile) mission launched on Ariane 62. This was mentioned in the spaceflight news context and represents continued Ariane 6 operations.

VEHICLE
Ariane 62
AGENCY
ESA/Arianespace
TARGET ORBIT
HEO
LAUNCH SITE
Kourou ELA-4
CONFIRMED
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
When is the Ariane 62 | Smile launch?
The Ariane 62 | Smile is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Ariane 62 | Smile?
The Ariane 62 | Smile mission uses the Ariane 62 rocket.
Where is the Ariane 62 | Smile launching from?
The launch takes place from Kourou ELA-4.
What orbit is Ariane 62 | Smile going to?
The Ariane 62 | Smile mission is targeting HEO.
Who is launching Ariane 62 | Smile?
The Ariane 62 | Smile is operated by ESA/Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 62 | Smile launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 30, 2026 14:00 UTC
What is Smile about to discover?
What really happens when the Sunu2019s charged particles slam into Earthu2019s magnetic shield?
ESA
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 5, 2025 at 10:15 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by ESA/Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Mar 26, 2026 14:22 UTC
Smile pre-launch media briefing
Watch the replay of the Smile pre-launch media briefing. The briefing covered key details ahead of the missionu2019s launch aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europeu2019s…
ESA
Mar 24, 2026 10:00 UTC
Smile fuelled for launch
From the ESA Blogs.
ESA
Mar 20, 2026 18:27 UTC
Smiles and Spacesuits
NASA astronaut Chris Williams smiles at the camera during a spacesuit fit verification on Jan. 2, 2026, inside the International Space Stationu2019s Quest airlock. This…
NASA
Mar 18, 2026 09:00 UTC
T-20 days: Smile to launch on 9 April
The Smile mission is set to launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europeu2019s Spaceport in French Guiana on Thursday 9 April at 08:29 CEST/07:29 BST/03:29…
ESA
Mar 9, 2026 11:00 UTC
Smile arrives at Europeu2019s Spaceport
The Smile spacecraftu00a0hasu00a0arrived atu00a0Europeu2019s Spaceportu00a0in French Guiana.u00a0Duringu00a0theu00a0comingu00a0weeks, the spacecraft will go through final preparations foru00a0itsu00a0launchu00a0on a Vega-C rocketu00a0between 8 April and 7 May.
ESA
Feb 20, 2026 09:05 UTC
Smile sets sail for Europeu2019s Spaceport in French Guiana
Just over a year since Smile arrived in the Netherlands in two parts, the now-complete and thoroughly-tested spacecraft has left for good. With a launch…
ESA
Nov 21, 2025 13:30 UTC
Good to go u2013 Let's Smile (episode 4)
Smileu00a0is a brand-new space mission currently in the making. It will study how Earth responds to theu00a0solar windu00a0and solar storms.
ESA
Nov 20, 2025 13:00 UTC
Smile approved for launch in spring 2026
Smile has passed its qualification and flight acceptance review, meaning that it meets all requirements for launch. The launch window has been set for 8…
ESA
Jul 21, 2025 16:22 UTC
The Day Earth Smiled
On July 19, 2013, NASAu2019s Cassini spacecraft had a rare opportunity to image Saturn and, far in the background, Earth. This image spans about 404,880…
NASA
Jul 15, 2025 14:01 UTC
Smile passes gruelling set of tests
All its parts have been built and put together. It has been wrapped in shiny gold insulating foil. Its launch is getting closer. But the…
ESA
Jul 15, 2025 14:00 UTC
Testing, testing, testing u2013 Letu2019s Smile (episode 3)
Smileu00a0is a brand-new space mission currently in the making. It will study how Earth responds to theu00a0solar windu00a0and solar storms.
ESA
Jun 4, 2025 08:00 UTC
Meet Smile
From the ESA Blogs.
ESA
Apr 8, 2025 08:00 UTC
Smile meets Maxwell
From the ESA Blogs.
ESA
Mar 6, 2025 13:00 UTC
When two become one: engineers get Smile ready for launch
At the European Space Agencyu2019s technical heart in the Netherlands, engineers have spent the last five months unboxing and testing elements of Europeu2019s next space…
ESA
Last data sync: 3 seconds ago
Spaceflight News API3 hours ago
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