Science & Exploration 12/05/2026 3875 views 23 likes ESA will be broadcasting live as the European-Chinese Smile mission launches at 04:52 BST/05:52 CEST (00:52 local time) on 19 May 2026. Smile will launch on a European Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Times subject to change at short notice. Watch live from 05:30 CEST on 19 May Tune into ESA Web TV directly or via the ESA YouTube livestream to follow the launch live. The launch programme will run from 05:30–07:09 CEST. Milestones include: Event Time after liftoff Time in CEST Liftoff, first stage ignition 00:00 05:52 First stage expends all its fuel and separates 00:02 05:54 Second stage ignition 00:02 05:54 Second stage expends all its fuel and separates 00:04 05:56 Third stage ignition 00:04 05:56 Fairing opens revealing Smile to the sky 00:04 05:56 Third stage expends all its fuel and separates 00:07 05:59 First ignition of upper stage 00:20 06:12 End of first upper stage boost 00:24 06:16 Second upper stage boost starts 00:52…