Data checked:
OK!Vega-C | Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE)
LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL
> MISSION DATA
DATETuesday, May 19, 2026
TIME03:52 AM UTC
PROVIDERAvio S.p.A
ROCKETVega-C
PADAriane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
LOCATIONGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana
ORBITElliptical Orbit
> MISSION BRIEFING // ASTROPHYSICS
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.
> SCHEDULE & SOURCE
Source-reported status: Launch Successful. The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
Launch window: 2026-05-19 03:52:10 UTC — 2026-05-19 03:52:10 UTC.
Dates and windows may change. Passing the scheduled time does not confirm a launch outcome.
Launch data from The Space Devs
Understand launch windows and orbits · Launch provider guide
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