PADAriane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITElliptical Orbit
TYPEAstrophysics
MISSION OVERVIEW
Joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate the interaction between Earth’s protective shield – the magnetosphere – and the supersonic solar wind.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Vega-CAGENCY
Avio S.p.AMISSION
Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
MISSION TYPE
Astrophysics
TARGET ORBIT
Elliptical Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)LAUNCH SITE
Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaCOUNTRY
ITA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: b31313da-ee5d-42b2-9a27-20cc18105276
Reported date: May 19, 2026 at 03:52 UTC
Last synced: 45 minutes ago
X (TWITTER) SEARCH
IN FLIGHT reported by @NASASpaceflight
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEMay 19, 2026 at 08:32 UTC
IN FLIGHT → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEMay 19, 2026 at 04:06 UTC
GO → IN FLIGHT
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEApr 23, 2026 at 22:11 UTC
TBD → GO
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(19.2 days)
Apr 23, 2026 at 22:11 UTCApr 30, 2026 00:00 → May 19, 2026 03:52 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEApr 6, 2026 at 12:19 UTC
GO → TBD
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(20.7 days)
Apr 6, 2026 at 12:19 UTCApr 9, 2026 06:29 → Apr 30, 2026 00:00 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
Loading weather…
CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
VEHICLE — Vega-C →
MANUFACTURER
Avio S.p.A
FLIGHTS
7
SUCCESSES
6
SUCCESS RATE
85.7%
Vega-C is a single-body rocket nearly 35 m high with that weighs 210 tonnes on the launch pad. As with Vega, its main elements are three solid-propellant stages, an upper stage powered by a reignitable liquid-propellant engine and a payload fairing. Vega-C's P120C first stage replaces Vega’s smaller P80 to provide a significant increase in thrust at liftoff. It is also used as boosters (2 or 4) for the Ariane 6 rocket.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) launch?
The Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 3:52 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 Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)?
The Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission uses the Vega-C rocket, manufactured by Avio S.p.A. The Vega-C has flown 7 times with a 85.7% success rate.
Where is the Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV) at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) going to?
The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission is targeting Elliptical Orbit.
Who is launching Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)?
The Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is operated by Avio S.p.A.
Can I watch the Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (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.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
May 26, 2026 03:32 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
May 19, 2026 08:32 UTC
Status changed: IN FLIGHT u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
May 19, 2026 04:06 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 IN FLIGHT
Launch IN FLIGHT (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 23, 2026 22:11 UTC
Launch delayed by 19.2 days
Apr 30, 2026 00:00 UTC u2192 May 19, 2026 03:52 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 23, 2026 22:11 UTC
Status changed: TBD u2192 GO
Launch GO for launch (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 6, 2026 12:19 UTC
Launch delayed by 20.7 days
Apr 9, 2026 06:29 UTC u2192 Apr 30, 2026 00:00 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 6, 2026 12:19 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 TBD
Launch date/time TBD (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 22, 2026 17:24 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 22, 2026 17:24 UTC
Launch date set: May 19, 2026 at 03:52 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Avio S.p.A
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 45 minutes ago
IN FLIGHT reported by @NASASpaceflight on X
●Launch Library 215 hours ago
Launch ID: b31313da-ee5d-42b2-9a27-20cc18105276
●Open-Meteo Weather18 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.24, -52.78
●YouTube Video Search3 weeks ago
4 videos discovered
●X (Twitter) Search15 hours ago
10 tweets (1 from official accounts)
RECENT FROM X
3 weeks ago
ESA's latest science mission, Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), is set to launch on a Vega C rocket from French Guiana.nnOverview by Eleanor Day (@elliedayxo)nnhttps://t.co/XgDY1KQ3f1
111 ♥ 22 ↻
View on X →4 weeks ago
If all goes as planned, a new spacecraft will soon give researchers an expansive and unique view of how the solar wind batters and bends Earthu2019s invisible magnetic shield.nnThe Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), expected to launch on 19 May from Europe
37 ♥ 11 ↻
View on X →3 weeks ago
ud83dude80 Vega-C launch in T-1 hour! nud83cudff7ufe0f Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)nud83dudccd Guiana Space Centrenud83cudfaf Elliptical Orbit nn Find out more and watch livenhttps://t.co/4MCrNs8ymf
1 ♥ 1 ↻
View on X →3 weeks ago
ud83dudd2d LAUNCH TONIGHT u2014 T-5.1 hoursnud83dude80 Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) | Vega-Cnud83dudccd Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)nud83dudcc5 Mon, May 18, 11:52 PM EDTnud83cudfaf ud83dudfe2 Go for launchnCheck your visibility now ud83dudc47nh
1 ↻
View on X →3 weeks ago
Avio S.p.A has a launch window open.nVega-C / Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)nT-37 min.nLaunch site: Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.nWhat do you check first on a launch: pad, payload, or countdown? https://t.co/gJTj8mF5N1
View on X →
Mission Profile
Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) was a Vega-C mission operated by Avio S.p.A that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV), Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on May 19, 2026. The flight carried its payload on a astrophysics mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch was a success.