A groundbreaking space mission is set to reveal much more about how Earth's magnetic shield protects life from powerful solar storms. The joint European-Chinese SMILE mission will track how charged particles from the sun collide with the magnetosphere — a barrier that shields our planet from dangerous radiation.

Scientists want to better understand "space weather," which can disrupt power grids and communications. With four instruments observing from orbit, SMILE will offer a rare global view of this interaction. Beyond its scientific goals, the project also highlights a decade-long collaboration between Europe and China at a time of geopolitical tension.