# GSAT0215

> navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q111471063](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471063)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat0215

## Summary
GSAT0215, also known by the alias "Nicole," is a navigation satellite operating as part of the European Galileo constellation. Manufactured by OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology, it is a Full Operational Capability (FOC) model launched on December 12, 2017. The satellite orbits in medium Earth orbit (MEO) with a design life of 12 years.

## Key Facts
- **Official Designations:** GSAT0215; COSPAR ID: 2017-079A; SCN: 43055.
- **Aliases:** Nicole, Galileo-FOC FM15, Galileo 19, GalileoSat-19, Galileo FM15.
- **Classification:** Instance of "Galileo Full Operational Capability" (navigation satellite).
- **Launch Date:** December 12, 2017, at 18:36.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 5ES (Flight VA240) launched from ELA-3.
- **Orbital Parameters:** Medium Earth orbit; Semi-major axis: 29,599.8 km; Inclination: 56.0°; Eccentricity: 0.0.
- **Physical Specifications:** Launch mass of 733 kg; powered by 2 solar arrays; spacecraft bus: SmartMEO.
- **Operators:** European Union Agency for the Space Programme.
- **Design Life:** 12 years.

## FAQs
### Q: What is GSAT0215?
A: GSAT0215 is a navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation, specifically a Full Operational Capability (FOC) model. It is tasked with providing global navigation satellite system services.

### Q: When and how was GSAT0215 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on December 12, 2017, at 18:36, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket from the ELA-3 launch pad.

### Q: Who built and operates GSAT0215?
A: The satellite was manufactured by OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology. It is currently operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme.

### Q: What are the technical specifications of its orbit?
A: GSAT0215 resides in a circular medium Earth orbit (eccentricity 0.0) with a semi-major axis of 29,599.8 kilometers and an orbital inclination of 56.0 degrees.

## Why It Matters
GSAT0215 ("Nicole") represents a critical component of the European Union's push for strategic independence in global navigation. As part of the Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) batch, this satellite helps form the operational backbone of the Galileo system, which provides high-precision positioning, velocity, and timing services worldwide. Unlike the preceding In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites, FOC models like GSAT0215 feature design improvements and are deployed in greater numbers to ensure the constellation meets full operational performance standards.

Launched aboard Ariane 5ES flight VA240, GSAT0215 contributes to the global coverage and redundancy required for critical applications in transport, finance, and energy. Its specific placement in a Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) with a 56-degree inclination allows for optimized coverage of European latitudes and contributes to the overall resilience of the global satellite navigation infrastructure. The satellite's design life of 12 years ensures long-term stability for the services it supports.

## Notable For
- **Full Operational Capability:** Represents the mature, operational phase of the Galileo program compared to earlier test satellites.
- **Circular Orbit:** Maintains an orbital eccentricity of 0.0, indicating a perfectly circular path around Earth at its operational altitude.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Utilized the Ariane 5ES, a specialized variant of the European launch vehicle, utilizing the EPS-V L10 upper stage (tug).
- **Naming Convention:** One of the few satellites with the distinct alias "Nicole," following the Galileo tradition of naming satellites after children from EU member states.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
GSAT0215 is formally classified as a Galileo Full Operational Capability satellite. It carries the COSPAR ID 2017-079A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 43055. It is referred to interchangeably as Galileo-FOC FM15, Galileo 19, and "Nicole." The satellite functions as a navigation satellite within the broader Galileo constellation.

### Manufacture and Operation
The satellite was constructed through a joint effort by **OHB System AG** and **Surrey Satellite Technology**. Operational control and management reside with the **European Union Agency for the Space Programme**.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass:** The satellite had a launch weight of 733 kilograms.
- **Power Systems:** It is equipped with 2 spacecraft solar arrays.
- **Bus:** The satellite utilizes the **SmartMEO** spacecraft bus platform.
- **Lifespan:** It is designed for a service life of 12 years.

### Launch Details
GSAT0215 was launched on **December 12, 2017**, at precisely 18:36. The launch utilized an **Ariane 5ES** vehicle (designated flight VA240), lifting off from the **ELA-3** launch complex. The launch event involved the deployment of the EPS-V L10 space tug to position the satellite.

### Orbital Dynamics
GSAT0215 operates in a **medium Earth orbit**. The specific orbital parameters include:
- **Semi-major axis:** 29,599.8 kilometers.
- **Inclination:** 56.0 degrees.
- **Eccentricity:** 0.0.

## 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](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/164)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htm)