A European-Chinese mission called SMILE launched into orbit Monday night aboard a Vega C rocket from French Guiana.

The spacecraft reached its initial orbit successfully and will study how solar wind affects Earth’s magnetosphere and space weather.

The mission is a collaboration between the European Space Agency and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with both sides contributing instruments and systems.

SMILE will undergo weeks of orbital adjustments and testing before beginning scientific observations in about three months, Space.com has reported.

Once operational, it is expected to study solar storms and space weather for a planned three-year mission.