Vega C will launch the SMILE (Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) mission for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). SMILE is designed to study the Earth’s magnetic environment, specifically its interaction with solar wind, and will contribute significantly to our understanding of space weather and solar storms. So that observations can begin during the peak of the 11-year cycle of solar activity, the optimum launch window for the SMILE mission is around the end of 2025. Arianespace signed a launch contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the deployment of the SMILE (Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) mission, a joint ESA-Science and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) initiative that aims to better understand our solar system. SMILE will observe Earth’s magnetic environment, the magnetosphere, on a global scale, and its interaction with the solar wind. To maximize its scientific contribution, SMILE requires a launch close to the peak of solar activity during the Sun’s 11-year cycle. Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, said: "This signature marks over four years of collaborative efforts between Arianespace and ESA Science teams to develop the SMILE mission with a Vega C launcher. While many spacecraft already observe the Sun and its effect on the Earth's environment, this is the first time a mission will be able to view the full Sun-Earth connection. We are thrilled to contribute to this new step in better understanding space weather, in a context where we need to protect our space-based technology and ensure human safety." “Today marks a major milestone for our innovative SMILE mission and signals the determination of all our teams and partners to deliver a successful mission on schedule for maximum scientific benefit,” declared Prof. Carole Mundell, ESA Director of Science. “We are delighted to be launching SMILE on such a versatile launch vehicle. Vega C has been selected as it perfectly matches the needs of the mission, such as required mass capability and injection orbit,” said David Agnolon, ESA SMILE Project Manager. SMILE was selected from a pool of 13 potential missions that were proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in response to a joint call for mission concepts in 2015. After the joint ESA-China National Space Administration Double Star mission in the 1990s, SMILE marks the first time that ESA and China have selected, designed, implemented, launched, and operated a space mission together. ESA is responsible for the payload module, the launch vehicle, one of the scientific instruments and part of the science operations. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is responsible for three scientific instruments, the platform, and the mission and science operations. The agreement will see the SMILE spacecraft launched by the European light-lift Vega C from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, currently expected for late 2025. The exact launch period will be defined by taking into account SMILE’s scientific objectives as well as the evolution of the Vega C manifest. Vega C is an ESA program carried out in cooperation between public institutions and private industry across 12 European partner states. Avio S.p.A (Colleferro, Italy) is the prime contractor responsible for the development and production of the launch system and delivering a “ready-to-fly” vehicle to Arianespace at Europe’s Spaceport. Arianespace is the operator and the exclusive launch service provider of Vega C up to the moment this mandate is transferred to Avio under the implementation of the Resolution adopted by ESA in Seville on 6 and 7 November 2023.

The European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) to entrust Arianespace with the launch of the first four second-generation satellites for the Galileo constellation on-board two Ariane 6. For Arianespace these will be the 15th and 16th launches specifically for Galileo. They supplement the three missions already on the books, to complete the deployment of the first-generation satellites. Since 2011, Arianespace has launched 28 Galileo satellites from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The European Commission and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) will entrust Arianespace with the launch of four new satellites for the Galileo navigation constellation. This order brings to five the total number of launches scheduled on-board Ariane 6 for Europe’s ultra-high performance Galileo satellite navigation system: the last three launches of pairs of first-generation satellites (L14-L15-L16) and the first two pairs of the second generation (L17-L18). These two additional launches are scheduled in 2026 and 2027 and will carry the first four second-generation Galileo satellites in pairs. Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space are each building six satellites, which together will form the first second-generation fleet. The satellites, each weighing about 2,000 kg and equipped with electrical propulsion, will then reach the Galileo constellation’s operational orbit (at an altitude of 23,222 km). As the first joint infrastructure produced and financed by the European Union, which is also the owner, the European Commission has overall responsibility for the programme. It contains innovative technologies developed by Europe for the citizens of the entire world. Galileo's design and system evolution, along with the technical development of its infrastructure, are entrusted to ESA. The European Commission has delegated the operational management of the Galileo programme to the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), which is responsible for the deployment, maintenance and minor evolutions of the Galileo system. EUSPA also ensures that Galileo services are delivered with the defined performance and without interruption.” “I would like to thank the European Commission and EUSPA for once again demonstrating their trust in Arianespace for the deployment of their satellite-based global navigation system. Ariane 6 is reaching the final milestones leading up to its first flight this summer, which enables us to envisage resumption of deployment of the Galileo constellation from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana in 2025. In this context, the decision by the European Commission and EUSPA is a strong commitment to Europe’s future heavy launcher. Arianespace reaffirms its commitment to guaranteeing reliable and sovereign access to space for Europe”, said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace.