How a 50-50 international partnership built a satellite in two years
In short: Watch the final chapter of the 'Let's Smile' documentary to see how a complex satellite was assembled, tested, and launched through a major European-Chinese collaboration.
The video chronicles the rapid development of the Smile mission (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) between June 2024 and May 2026. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the transition from disconnected components to a fully operational satellite.
Viewers see the logistics of parts arriving at the ESA technical centre in the Netherlands, the integration and testing phases, and the final journey to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The project represents a significant 50-50 collaboration between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Let’s Smile (the full story)
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