New ESA Mission SMILE Launched to Study Earth's Magnetosphere
We’ve Never Actually Seen Earth’s Protective Bubble. This New Mission Aims to Change That
Image: Gizmodo
The European Space Agency's Solar wind Magnetosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) was launched from Kourou, French Guiana, to capture global images of Earth's magnetosphere, a protective bubble against solar radiation. This mission aims to enhance understanding of space weather and its effects on technology, with data collection set to begin in July 2024.
- 01SMILE will operate in an orbit approximately 439 miles (706 kilometers) above Earth and will reach its highest point of over 75,300 miles (121,200 kilometers) above the North Pole.
- 02The satellite's X-ray camera will provide the first X-ray images of the magnetosphere, while its ultraviolet camera will observe auroras continuously for 45 hours.
- 03The mission was delayed multiple times, initially scheduled for 2021, due to technical issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 04ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher emphasized the mission's potential to reveal previously unseen aspects of Earth's magnetic shield.
- 05Data collection will start in July 2024 after the mission team confirms all instruments are operational.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Solar wind Magnetosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) on Monday from Kourou, French Guiana. This mission, developed in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aims to enhance our understanding of the magnetosphere, Earth's protective magnetic bubble. The magnetosphere shields the planet from solar and cosmic radiation, and disruptions caused by solar events can lead to geomagnetic storms that affect power grids and satellite communications. SMILE will orbit at approximately 439 miles (706 kilometers) above Earth and will climb to a maximum altitude of 75,300 miles (121,200 kilometers) above the North Pole, allowing for continuous global observations of the magnetosphere. The satellite is equipped with an X-ray camera to capture the first images of the magnetosphere and an ultraviolet camera for extended aurora observations. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher stated that this mission will provide unprecedented insights into Earth's magnetic shield. After overcoming delays due to technical issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, data collection is set to begin in July 2024.
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Understanding space weather is crucial as modern technology increasingly relies on satellite communications and power grids that can be disrupted by solar storms.
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