# GSAT0207

> navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q28058236](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28058236)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat0207

## Summary
GSAT0207 is a navigation satellite within the Galileo constellation, classified as a Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) model. Manufactured by OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology, it was launched on November 17, 2016, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket. The satellite operates in medium Earth orbit under the administration of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC).
- **Launch Date:** November 17, 2016, at 13:06:55.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 5ES (Flight VA233).
- **Launch Site:** ELA-3 (Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 3).
- **Manufacturer:** OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology.
- **Operator:** European Union Agency for the Space Programme.
- **Mass:** 733 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Orbit:** Medium Earth orbit with a semi-major axis of 29,599.8 kilometers and an inclination of 56.0 degrees.
- **Design Life:** 12 years.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2016-069A; NSSDCA ID 2016-069A; SCN 41859.
- **Aliases:** Antonianna, Galileo-FOC FM7, Galileo 15, GalileoSat-15, Galileo FM7.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of GSAT0207?
A: GSAT0207 functions as a navigation satellite forming part of the Galileo constellation. It is designed to provide positioning services from medium Earth orbit.

### Q: When and how was GSAT0207 launched?
A: GSAT0207 was launched on November 17, 2016, at 13:06:55, using an Ariane 5ES launch vehicle from the ELA-3 launch site.

### Q: What are the technical specifications regarding its power and orbit?
A: The satellite utilizes a spacecraft solar array (containing 2 units) for power and operates in a circular medium Earth orbit with an orbital eccentricity of 0.0 and an inclination of 56.0 degrees.

## Why It Matters
GSAT0207 represents a critical component of the Galileo Full Operational Capability phase, which aims to provide Europe with an independent, high-precision global navigation satellite system. As part of a network operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, this satellite enhances the reliability and coverage of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) data for users worldwide.

Built on the SmartMEO spacecraft bus, GSAT0207 is engineered for a design life of 12 years, ensuring long-term service stability. Its specific orbital placement—characterized by a semi-major axis of approximately 29,600 kilometers and zero eccentricity—optimizes the geometry of the constellation for accurate signal transmission. The deployment of such satellites aboard the Ariane 5ES also highlights European capability in space launch and infrastructure development.

## Notable For
- **Operational Classification:** Being a Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) satellite, distinguishing it from earlier In-Orbit Validation (IOV) models.
- **Precise Orbital Parameters:** Maintaining an orbit with 0.0 eccentricity and a specific inclination of 56.0 degrees.
- **Dual Manufacturing:** Being a product of a collaboration between OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology.
- **Launch Configuration:** Deployment via the Ariane 5ES flight VA233, a specific configuration of the European launch vehicle.
- **Naming Convention:** Possessing multiple aliases, including the proper name "Antonianna" and designations like Galileo-FOC FM7.

## Body

### Mission and Design
GSAT0207 is a navigation satellite operating as part of the Galileo constellation. It is an instance of the **Galileo Full Operational Capability** class. The satellite's structural and functional design is based on the **SmartMEO** spacecraft bus. It has a launch mass of **733 kilograms** and is designed to operate for a **service life of 12 years**.

### Technical Components
The satellite is powered by a **spacecraft solar array** system comprising two units. It carries the navigation payload necessary for its role in the global positioning system but is also associated with the **EPS-V L10** space tug during its deployment phase.

### Orbital Characteristics
GSAT0207 orbits the Earth in a **medium Earth orbit**. Key orbital parameters include:
- **Semi-major axis:** 29,599.8 kilometers
- **Orbital inclination:** 56.0 degrees
- **Orbital eccentricity:** 0.0

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on **November 17, 2016**, precisely at **13:06:55** UTC. The launch vehicle used was an **Ariane 5ES**, specifically identified as flight **VA233**. The launch originated from **ELA-3** (Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 3), a launch pad located at the Guiana Space Centre. This event is classified as a significant rocket launch event in the satellite's timeline.

### Administration and Identification
The **European Union Agency for the Space Programme** serves as the operator for GSAT0207. In various databases, the satellite is identified by the following codes:
- **SCN:** 41859
- **COSPAR ID:** 2016-069A
- **NSSDCA ID:** 2016-069A
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "41859"]

## References

1. [Source](https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-status/orbital-and-technical-parameters)
2. [Source](https://www.gsc-europa.eu/news/countdown-a-month-to-go-to-galileos-next-launch)
3. [Source](http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=2016-069A)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htm)
6. [Source](http://www.arianespace.com/mission/ariane-flight-va233/)