A mission called SMILE was launched to study “space weather,” which is how activity from the Sun can affect space around Earth. SMILE launched on May 18, 2026, and reached orbit on May 19, 2026.
The spacecraft will watch the solar wind—tiny particles streaming out from the Sun like an invisible breeze. When that wind reaches Earth, it pushes on our planet’s magnetic field, an invisible shield around Earth.
That squeezing and stretching can lead to beautiful auroras, the glowing ribbons of light seen near Earth’s poles. When space weather is extra strong, it can also make things harder for satellites and radio signals.
To investigate, SMILE will take X-ray and ultraviolet pictures—types of light human eyes can’t see. By using these “invisible clues,” scientists can better understand how solar storms form and move, which helps people prepare for the times space weather gets intense.
The spacecraft will watch the solar wind—tiny particles streaming out from the Sun like an invisible breeze. When that wind reaches Earth, it pushes on our planet’s magnetic field, an invisible shield around Earth.
That squeezing and stretching can lead to beautiful auroras, the glowing ribbons of light seen near Earth’s poles. When space weather is extra strong, it can also make things harder for satellites and radio signals.
To investigate, SMILE will take X-ray and ultraviolet pictures—types of light human eyes can’t see. By using these “invisible clues,” scientists can better understand how solar storms form and move, which helps people prepare for the times space weather gets intense.