SMILE (spacecraft)
| Names | SMILE |
|---|---|
| Operator | ESA / CAS |
| Website | www |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2021 |
| Rocket | Long March 2C |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Molniya orbit |
| Perigee altitude | ~ 12,742 km |
| Apogee altitude | ~ 127,420 km |
| Inclination | 63.4° |
Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) is a planned joint venture mission between European Space Agency and Chinese Academy of Sciences studying interaction between Earth's magnetosphere and solar wind.[1] Launch is expected at the end of 2021.[2]
Overview
SMILE spacecraft will be equipped to simultaneously capture images and movies of magnetopause, polar cusps, and aurora.[1] Previously spacecraft analyzed data only locally, however a recent discovery of the fact that magnetosphere emits X-rays will allow SMILE to capture more comprehensive data than previous missions did.[2]
Key instruments on board the spacecraft will include:[2][3]
- Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) – used to study interaction of solar wind with Earth's magnetosphere. Telescope will be developed by the scientists from University of Leicester.[4]
- UV Imager (UVI) – used to observe and measure aurora borealis along with identifying polar cap boundary. Telescope will use four-mirror design along with new filters.
- Light Ion Analyser (LIA) – on site measurement of ions in the solar wind.
- Magnetometer (MAG) – on site measurement of magnetic fields.
Spacecraft will be launched in 2021 to Molniya orbit with apogee of 20 R🜨 (Earth radii, where 1 R🜨 = 6,371 km) using Chinese Long March 2C rocket. Mission cost is estimated to be €92 million.[3]
History
Following the success of Double Star mission ESA and CAS decided to jointly select, design, implement and launch a space mission for the first time. After initial workshops call for proposals was announced in January 2015. After join peer review SMILE was selected as a top candidate out of 16 proposed.[1] SMILE mission proposal was jointly led by University College London and the Chinese National Space Science Center. From June to November mission will be under the initial studies pending final approval in November 2015.[2]
References
- ^ a b c "ESA and Chinese Academy of Sciences to study Smile as joint mission". ESA. 22 June 2015. Retrieved October 2015.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c d Dunning, Hayley (4 June 2015). "Solar wind monitoring mission passes the first hurdle". Imperial College London. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ a b Branduardi-Raymon, Graziella; Wang, Chi. "Joint Scientific Space Mission Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) - European Space Agency (ESA) PROPOSAL SMILE: Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer" (PDF). Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Leicester space scientists develop space satellite which predicts solar storms". Leicester Mercury. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
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Future missions in italics
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