Photo credit: www.esa.int

European Space Agency Prepares for Groundbreaking Smile Mission

In the Netherlands, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been diligently working for the past several months to prepare its next ambitious space science project, Smile. The mission is gaining momentum as engineers successfully connect its two main components, paving the way for a planned launch by the close of 2025.

Smile aims to offer an unprecedented view of how Earth interacts with solar particles and radiation. By enhancing our comprehension of solar wind, solar storms, and overall space weather, this mission addresses a significant knowledge gap regarding our Solar System. The dedicated teams are working intensively behind the scenes to ensure every aspect of the mission succeeds.

For a closer look at the ongoing preparations, check out the accompanying video. [Text continues after video]

Collaboration Across Continents

This mission represents a remarkable international collaboration between ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), with contributions from engineers and scientists in both Europe and China. Key components of Smile have been manufactured in various locations across these regions and are now being integrated at ESA’s technical center (ESTEC).

One of the most significant components, the mission’s ‘payload module,’ which houses three of the four scientific instruments, was constructed by Airbus in Spain for ESA. This module was the first portion to arrive at ESTEC, landing in September 2024.

The arrival of the payload module marked the beginning of a comprehensive integration and testing phase. Teams from ESA, Airbus, and CAS are collaborating closely at ESTEC to prepare the spacecraft for its journey into orbit. The initial step involved subjecting the payload module to rigorous testing to ensure it can function flawlessly in the demanding environment of space.

A Series of Challenges

The integration process encountered challenges. On November 21, 2024, engineers faced a tense moment when a critical 3-meter-long magnetometer boom did not lock into place as intended. Upon investigation, they identified that stiff cables were improperly mounted. The team quickly resolved this issue by adjusting the cable bundle, allowing the boom to be affixed successfully the next day. The room erupted in applause as the boom clicked securely into position.

“The arrival and testing of the payload module went really well, and we are optimistic that the onboard instruments will gather exceptional scientific data once in orbit,” remarked ESA’s project manager David Agnolon. He emphasized the significance of this collaboration, the first of its kind in its scale between ESA and China, highlighting the spirit of cooperation that has enabled the teams to overcome numerous hurdles.

Coordinating across continents during the COVID-19 pandemic had added layers of complexity. For instance, in 2022, Airbus was unable to send personnel to support the testing of the Smile payload module in China due to travel restrictions. Teams had to adapt to remote collaboration methods, referred to as ‘online engineering’.

Fortunately, international colleagues are now able to collaborate effectively in person at ESTEC, exchanging skills, cultures, and ideas. On December 9, 2024, the Smile platform, which includes the fourth scientific instrument and essential operational modules, was transported on a dedicated flight from Shanghai, accompanied by a team of 15 engineers and managers from CAS. Transporting the platform to Europe presented its own challenges, as it was the first instance of such an export from China. This required special authorizations from various aviation and space agencies.

Precision Integration

After a series of delays and extensive documentation due to the nature of some materials classified as ‘dangerous goods’, the payload module was finally linked to the platform on January 21, 2025. This intricate process necessitated precise coordination among about twenty experts from ESA, CAS, and Airbus, all donning cleanroom suits to maintain the spacecraft’s integrity.

During the integration, complications arose when it became apparent that some cables obscured bolt access points. The team quickly devised a last-minute change to their procedure, pre-installing some bolts before lifting the payload module to ensure a smoother assembly.

As the moment of integration approached, engineers maneuvered the payload module meticulously. “This was the culmination of years of preparation from both sides of the world. It was an exciting milestone to finally see ‘our’ Smile spacecraft taking shape,” stated Benjamin Vanoutryve, ESA’s assembly, integration, and testing manager.

The attachment process involved fine adjustments, with CAS and Airbus engineers closely monitoring the operation, ready to oversee the final assembly. For the first time, the teams began working with the spacecraft as a cohesive entity.

Looking ahead, Smile will undergo its first round of comprehensive tests as a complete unit this month. Engineers will ensure it meets stringent operational criteria necessary for surviving the rigors of space travel, including testing its systems in the vacuum of space and ensuring minimal electromagnetic interference.

As the testing phase progresses, Airbus engineers will support the collaboration to refine the integration between the platform and payload module. Anticipating completion by September 2025, the mission team will bid farewell to Smile as it departs for Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, preparing for its launch aboard a Vega-C rocket by the end of the year.

Stay updated on the mission’s progress by visiting esa.int/smile.

Source
www.esa.int