UK scientists launch SMILE mission to track solar storm risk

On 19 May 2026, the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Linked Exploration (SMILE) mission lifted off from China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre, marking a significant milestone for UK space science and European space weather forecasting. The joint mission, led by the European Space Agency (ESA) with substantial contributions from UK scientists, will revolutionise how we predict and respond to solar storms that threaten satellites, power grids, and aviation across the UK and Europe.

SMILE represents a €430 million collaborative effort between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with the UK Space Agency funding critical components of the science payload. The mission deploys two spacecraft equipped with advanced instruments to map Earth's magnetosphere in unprecedented detail, tracking how the solar wind interacts with our planet's magnetic shield. For the UK's growing space sector—from satellite operators relying on accurate space weather data to telecom companies managing ground infrastructure—this mission offers essential early-warning capabilities.

What SMILE will do: mapping Earth's magnetic shield

SMILE's primary objective is to provide the first comprehensive, real-time images of how Earth's magnetosphere responds to incoming solar wind. The mission carries two key instruments developed with UK expertise: the Soft X-ray Imager (SXI), which will capture images of Earth's magnetopause and bow shock, and the Magneto-Ionic Plasma Examination (MIPEX) suite, comprising three plasma analysers.

The magnetosphere is Earth's invisible magnetic bubble, extending tens of thousands of kilometres into space. When powerful solar winds and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) strike this shield during geomagnetic storms, they can compress it, heat its plasma, and trigger cascades of energy release. These events pose serious risks to modern infrastructure.

"SMILE will give us a global view of magnetosphere dynamics that we've never had before," explains a spokesperson from the University of Leicester's Department of Physics and Astronomy, which leads the UK's involvement in the mission. The university's scientists contributed significantly to the design and calibration of SMILE's imaging systems, building on decades of UK expertise in space plasma physics.

The mission's two spacecraft will orbit in formation, with one positioned to observe Earth's dayside magnetosphere—where solar wind pressure is strongest—and another positioned to track the tail of the magnetosphere on the nightside. This dual perspective enables SMILE to capture the full chain of events during a geomagnetic storm, from initial compression through to energy release and particle acceleration.

UK Space Agency funding and industrial involvement

The UK Space Agency committed substantial funding to SMILE, supporting not only the University of Leicester's scientific leadership but also contributions from UK industry partners in spacecraft systems, ground station operations, and data processing infrastructure.

"This mission exemplifies the UK's commitment to space weather science and protecting our critical infrastructure," states the UK Space Agency's position on SMILE. The agency's investment reflects a recognition that space weather forecasting is no longer a purely academic pursuit—it is essential infrastructure protection for the digital economy.

UK industrial partners have contributed to several mission components, including ground station facilities that will receive SMILE data across European sites. The UK's network of ESA ground stations, particularly those operated by partners in Scotland and southern England, will play a role in the mission's data downlink and command operations.

This investment also supports the broader UK Space Agency space weather programme, which includes the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre and partnerships with operators managing critical national infrastructure.

Why space weather forecasting matters: risks to UK infrastructure

Space weather events pose direct, quantifiable risks to systems Britons depend on daily. A severe geomagnetic storm—classified as G5 on the space weather scale—could cause cascading failures across power distribution networks, disrupting electricity supply to millions. The 1859 Carrington Event, the most severe recorded space weather storm, induced currents that damaged telegraph systems worldwide; today's equivalent could cost the UK economy tens of billions of pounds in direct damage and economic disruption.

Satellites are particularly vulnerable. The UK operates numerous Earth observation and telecommunications satellites, and hosts ground stations supporting international satellite operations. A major solar storm can increase atmospheric drag on low-Earth-orbit satellites, shortening their operational lives, and triggering radiation damage to spacecraft electronics. On 4 February 2022, a moderate solar storm caused the loss of up to 40 Starlink satellites operated by SpaceX, demonstrating how quickly and dramatically space weather can impact the global satellite constellation.

For aviation, space weather poses a two-fold risk. Cosmic radiation exposure increases significantly during solar events, particularly on polar routes. The UK's airspace, including transatlantic corridors operated by airlines based at London, Manchester, and Glasgow, experiences higher radiation exposure than lower latitudes. Additionally, high-frequency communications used for over-polar flights can be disrupted during ionospheric storms, requiring airlines to reroute aircraft or operate using alternative frequencies and navigation systems.

Power grids are equally at risk. The UK's electricity network, increasingly interconnected with continental Europe through offshore HVDC links, can experience voltage instability and transformer damage during geomagnetic storms. The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre monitors space weather continuously and issues alerts to critical infrastructure operators, but forecast accuracy remains limited without real-time magnetosphere imaging.

"Better forecasts mean we can take preventive action," explains the Met Office's space weather team. "Reducing transformer load, disconnecting sensitive equipment, or rerouting power distribution before a storm hits can prevent cascading failures. SMILE will give us hours of additional warning time by tracking magnetosphere compression in real-time."

The University of Leicester's role in UK space physics

The University of Leicester has been central to UK space science for over 50 years. Its Department of Physics and Astronomy operates research groups specialising in magnetospheric physics, plasma instrumentation, and space weather science. Leicester scientists have contributed to numerous ESA and NASA missions, including Cluster, Double Star, and Swarm, all designed to study Earth's magnetosphere and the solar wind.

For SMILE, Leicester's role encompasses instrument development, scientific oversight, and data analysis pipelines. The university's expertise in soft X-ray imaging—critical for SMILE's magnetopause observations—stems from previous missions and represents a genuine UK competitive advantage in space science.

Beyond SMILE, Leicester researchers are involved in multiple space weather initiatives, including the UK Space Agency-funded UK space weather programme, which coordinates forecasting, infrastructure protection, and public communication around space weather events.

International collaboration and ESA's space weather strategy

SMILE represents ESA's flagship commitment to space weather science. The agency recognises that space weather forecasting requires global observation networks—no single nation or agency can monitor the entire sun-Earth system independently. SMILE complements NASA's space weather missions, including DSCOVR (positioned at the sun-Earth L1 point) and the Parker Solar Probe (orbiting the sun).

By combining observations from multiple agencies and nations, space weather forecasters can triangulate solar wind conditions, magnetic field geometry, and magnetosphere response, building comprehensive models that improve forecast skill. The UK, through its participation in SMILE and its hosting of ESA's mission control facilities, plays a critical role in this international framework.

"Collaboration is essential because space weather is a global phenomenon," notes ESA's space weather coordination team. "A solar storm affects all nations simultaneously. Better forecasts benefit everyone, and the costs are shared across many partners."

Implications for Scotland's space industry

Scotland's rapidly growing space sector—including launch operators, satellite manufacturers, and ground infrastructure providers—will benefit directly from improved space weather forecasting. Companies like Skyrora and Clyde Space operate in an environment where space weather understanding is increasingly critical to mission success and spacecraft design.

Clyde Space, the Glasgow-based satellite manufacturer, designs and builds small satellites and subsystems for customers worldwide. Improved space weather forecasts allow Clyde Space to better predict satellite orbital decay during solar storms and optimise satellite design for radiation resilience. Similarly, Scottish spaceports—including SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst, Shetland, and the proposed Sutherland Spaceport on the north coast—depend on accurate space weather forecasting to plan launch windows safely.

Ground stations supporting satellite operations across Scotland will also benefit. More accurate space weather models improve scheduling for satellite communications and reduce the risk of unexpected orbital decay affecting launch schedules.

Timeline and mission duration

SMILE's primary mission duration is two years, with potential extensions depending on spacecraft fuel and instrument health. The mission's spacecraft will be positioned in highly elliptical orbits around Earth, allowing extended observation periods of the magnetosphere's dayside and nightside regions.

Initial instrument commissioning and data validation is expected to conclude by late 2026, with routine science operations commencing in early 2027. Data from SMILE will be made available to the international scientific community through ESA's data archive, ensuring that researchers in UK universities and industry can access observations rapidly.

The first space weather alerts incorporating SMILE data are expected by mid-2027, following integration of SMILE observations into operational forecasting models run by the Met Office and international partners.

Forward outlook: space weather forecasting in the 2030s

SMILE is the first of several planned space weather missions. ESA is developing the Space Weather Observatories constellation (SWO), a series of smaller, more focused spacecraft designed to provide continuous monitoring of the sun and magnetosphere. The UK is expected to participate significantly in SWO, building on SMILE's success.

For the UK space industry, improved space weather forecasting represents both a protective measure and a commercial opportunity. Companies developing space weather monitoring services, radiation shielding technology, and resilient satellite systems will find growing demand as space traffic increases and dependence on space-based infrastructure deepens.

The UK Space Agency's continued investment in space weather science, supported by partnerships with the Met Office, UK universities, and ESA, positions the UK as a leader in this critical field. As climate change, renewable energy transitions, and digital infrastructure continue to reshape the UK economy, accurate space weather forecasting becomes ever more essential to national resilience.

SMILE's launch marks a pivotal moment for UK space science and European space weather forecasting. By mapping Earth's magnetosphere in real-time, the mission will save money, protect lives, and safeguard critical infrastructure across the UK and Europe. For space industry professionals, investors, and policymakers, SMILE demonstrates why sustained investment in space science delivers tangible benefits to society and economy alike.

Key takeaways

• SMILE launched on 19 May 2026 with substantial UK Space Agency funding and University of Leicester scientific leadership
• The mission will provide real-time imaging of Earth's magnetosphere, improving solar storm forecasting accuracy by hours
• Better space weather forecasts protect UK power grids, satellites, aviation, and telecommunications infrastructure
• The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre will integrate SMILE data into operational forecasting by mid-2027
• Scotland's space industry—from satellite makers to spaceport operators—will benefit from improved space weather intelligence
• UK involvement in SMILE positions the nation as a leader in international space weather science collaboration