European-Chinese Smile mission reaches science orbit after 12 engine burns
Summary
The European-Chinese Smile mission successfully reached its designated science orbit on 20 June 2026 after launching on a European Vega-C rocket on 19 May 2026. The spacecraft fired its main engine 12 times — 11 to raise its height above the North Pole and one final time above the South Pole — to achieve its final highly elliptical orbit at 120,920 km. The team is now beginning a two-month commissioning campaign to switch on and test the spacecraft's science instruments.
Source
Twitter / XEuropean-Chinese Smile mission reaches science orbit after 12 engine burnsesa.intKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe European-Chinese Smile mission reached its designated science orbit on 20 June 2026.
The team is now embarking on a two-month campaign to 'commission' the spacecraft, which involves switching on and testing out its toolbox of science instruments.
Since launching into space on a European Vega-C rocket on 19 May 2026, Smile has fired its main engine 12 times – 11 times to raise its height above the North Pole, and then one final time to raise its height above the South Pole.
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