# GSAT0201 > navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation which was placed into an incorrect orbit due to launch failure **Wikidata**: [Q18327730](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327730) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat0201 ## Summary GSAT0201, also known as Doresa, is a navigation satellite belonging to the Galileo constellation and represents the first Full Operational Capability (FOC) model of the system. Launched on August 22, 2014, the satellite was inserted into an incorrect, eccentric orbit due to a failure involving its Fregat-MT space tug. While intended for a standard medium Earth orbit, GSAT0201 operated in a compromised orbit until it was taken out of service on February 18, 2021. ## Key Facts - **Official Designations:** GSAT0201; COSPAR ID 2014-050A; NSSDCA ID 2014-050A; SCCN 40128. - **Aliases:** Doresa, Galileo-FOC FM1, Galileo 5, GalileoSat-5, Galileo FM1. - **Classification:** Instance of "Galileo Full Operational Capability" satellite model. - **Launch Date:** August 22, 2014, at 12:27:11 UTC. - **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-2.1b rocket equipped with a Fregat-MT upper stage. - **Launch Site:** Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz (ELS). - **Orbital Status:** Failed to reach intended orbit; placed into an eccentric orbit with an inclination of 49.85 degrees and eccentricity of 0.162. - **Mass:** 733 kilograms (launch weight). - **Service Life:** Designed for 12 years; declared out of service on February 18, 2021. - **Operator:** European Union Agency for the Space Programme. - **Manufacturers:** OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology. ## FAQs ### Q: Why is GSAT0201 famous? A: GSAT0201 is notable for being the first satellite in the Galileo Full Operational Capability series and for being launched into an incorrect orbit due to a malfunction of the Fregat-MT upper stage. ### Q: What caused GSAT0201 to enter the wrong orbit? A: The orbital insertion failure was caused by the Fregat-MT space tug, which malfunctioned during the launch event on August 22, 2014. ### Q: Is GSAT0201 still operational? A: No, GSAT0201 was officially taken out of service on February 18, 2021, after spending roughly six and a half years in an elliptical medium Earth orbit. ## Why It Matters GSAT0201 (Doresa) serves as a critical case study in the deployment of the European Union’s global navigation satellite system, Galileo. As the inaugural unit of the "Full Operational Capability" (FOC) phase—distinct from the earlier IOV (In-Orbit Validation) models—its launch marked a significant step toward full operational independence for Europe. However, the mission highlighted the complexities of space deployment when a launch failure stranded the satellite in a non-nominal orbit. Despite the launch failure involving the Fregat-MT stage, the satellite's journey provided essential data. The incident underscored the importance of rigorous testing for upper-stage rocket systems and forced a re-evaluation of launch protocols for subsequent Galileo missions. Although the satellite could not fulfill its standard navigation role in the intended constellation geometry due to its eccentric orbit (eccentricity 0.162), the European Union Agency for the Space Programme utilized the hardware for testing and signal validation where possible. The decommissioning of the satellite in 2021 marked the final chapter of a mission that, while flawed in execution, contributed to the robustness and reliability goals of the Galileo program. ## Notable For - Being the **first** satellite in the Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) series. - Suffering a **launch failure** on August 22, 2014, resulting in an incorrect, eccentric orbit. - Possessing a unique orbital profile for the constellation with an **eccentricity of 0.162** and **inclination of 49.85 degrees**. - Being manufactured by a consortium including **OHB System AG** and **Surrey Satellite Technology**. - Utilization of the **SmartMEO** spacecraft bus. ## Body ### Technical Specifications GSAT0201 is a navigation satellite based on the **Galileo Full Operational Capability** model. It was constructed by **OHB System AG** and **Surrey Satellite Technology**, featuring a **SmartMEO** spacecraft bus designed for a **12-year service life**. At launch, the satellite had a mass of **733 kilograms**. The Wolfram Language entity code for this satellite is `Entity["Satellite", "40128"]`. ### Launch and Orbital Insertion The satellite was launched on **August 22, 2014**, at **12:27:11** UTC from the **Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz** facility. It was carried aboard a **Soyuz-2.1b** rocket (version E 15000-006) equipped with a **Fregat-MT** space tug. A significant event occurred immediately following the launch: a failure in the **Fregat-MT** stage resulted in the satellite being released into an incorrect orbit. Instead of a circular medium Earth orbit, GSAT0201 entered an elliptical path with the following parameters: - **Semi-major axis:** 27,977.6 kilometers - **Orbital Inclination:** 49.850 degrees - **Eccentricity:** 0.162 ### Operational History Managed by the **European Union Agency for the Space Programme**, GSAT0201 was designated as a satellite of **medium Earth orbit**. Following the orbital anomaly, the satellite could not perform its intended primary function within the standard constellation geometry. The satellite's operational timeline concluded when it was declared **out of service** on **February 18, 2021**. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-status/orbital-and-technical-parameters) 2. [Source](http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-iov.htm) 3. Jonathan's Space Report 4. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htm) 5. [Source](https://galileognss.eu/galileo-foc-satellites-launch-failure-conclusions/) 6. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/08/arianespace-soyuz-st-b-galileo-mission/) 7. [Source](https://www.gsc-europa.eu/notice-advisory-to-galileo-users-nagu-2021008) 8. [Source](https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-service-status/orbital-and-technical-parameters)