Smile's science toolbox

Smile will reveal the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field using four unique instruments. Each will collect a vital puzzle piece of information that, when combined with information from the other three instruments, will reveal our magnetosphere in a whole new light.

Smile (the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) is a joint mission between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

[Image description: Infographic presenting the four science instruments carried on the Smile spacecraft. At the centre of the infographic is an outline of the spacecraft with the instruments highlighted in blue. From each instrument a blue arrow points to a pop-out box, with an image depicting what the instrument will do. Below each pop-out image is a small text explaining whether the instrument is led by ESA or CAS, with a sentence explaining what the instrument will do.]