Media representatives are invited to express their interest in attending the media programme for the launch of the Smile mission at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
The Smile mission will be launched on board a Vega-C rocket from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana, within the launch window 8 April - 7 May 2026.
Smile is a scientific collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), designed to look at Earth's magnetic field in X-rays and uncover where and how the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic shield.
Smile will also observe auroras globally in ultraviolet light to understand how Earth responds to the solar wind, being able to watch the northern lights continuously for 45 hours at a time (a first for a space mission!).
Moreover, Smile will improve our understanding of solar storms and the resulting disturbances on Earth, known as geomagnetic storms. A better understanding of the science of space weather is essential for ultimately protecting both space-based technology and the lives of any humans in orbit around the Earth.
Over 250 European and Chinese scientists make up the Smile scientific consortium, with important contributions funded by all ESA Member States.
ESA, Avio and CAS are planning media activities for this launch which will also include online pre-launch media briefings open to all journalists.
This call for interest only relates to activities taking place on site at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. This will ensure that media accreditation is completed in time and to establish a reserve list in the event of cancellations. More details on the media programme in French Guiana will be shared in due course.
Registration
Journalists wishing to participate in the media programme at Europe's Spaceport are asked to submit their application via ESA's media accreditation page as soon as possible and no later than 17:00 CET on Thursday 6 March 2026.
Please note:
- ESA will recommend flight dates and accommodation options to confirmed participants to facilitate the trip;
- because the number of places is limited, ESA cannot guarantee all interested media will be able to join this visit. For this reason, the Agency will also establish a reserve list for the event in case of cancellations.
- accreditation formalities to access Europe's Spaceport will have to be completed immediately after confirmation of participation;
- yellow fever vaccination is compulsory to enter French Guiana (this will be checked at the airport).
