A joint China-Europe space mission, the Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), has successfully carried out a satellite-rocket test, according to the Center National Space Science (CNSS) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
A Chinese team from the SMILE mission satellite recently visited the European Center for Space Research and Technology (CERTS) of the European Space Agency (ESA) to carry out a joint satellite-rocket prototype test, carrying out the interface docking, satellite separation and impact tests, CNSS said.
The Chinese satellite team shipped the three prototype satellite modules of SMILE to ESA in December 2022 and completed final assembly, integration and CERTS readiness work.
This was the first on-site exchange activity for teams from both sides since the SMILE mission-level prototype design review in January 2020.
SMILE is a collaborative science mission between CSA and ESA aimed at deepening the understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by observing the dynamic interaction between the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere.
In addition to ASC and ASE, companies like Arianespace and Airbus also participated in the trial.
The SMILE mission team will travel to Spain in April and to Germany in May and September to carry out tests with their European counterparts. The mission’s satellite is expected to be sent into space in 2025.
