# GSAT0217

> navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q111471065](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111471065)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat0217

## Summary
GSAT0217 is a navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation, part of the European Union's Galileo satellite navigation system. It was launched on December 12, 2017, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket and operates in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to provide positioning, navigation, and timing services.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation
- **Launch Date**: December 12, 2017, at 18:36 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5ES (flight VA240)
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana
- **Mass**: 733 kg (launch weight)
- **Orbit**: Medium Earth orbit (MEO) with a semi-major axis of 29,599.8 km and an inclination of 56.0°
- **Orbital Eccentricity**: 0.0 (circular orbit)
- **Design Life**: 12 years
- **Manufacturers**: OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology
- **Spacecraft Bus**: SmartMEO
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (2 panels)
- **Operator**: European Union Agency for the Space Programme
- **Part of**: Galileo navigation system
- **Aliases**: Alexandre, Galileo-FOC FM17, Galileo 21, GalileoSat-21, Galileo FM17

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of GSAT0217?
A: GSAT0217 is a navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation, designed to provide positioning, navigation, and timing services as part of the European Union's Galileo satellite navigation system.

### Q: When and how was GSAT0217 launched?
A: GSAT0217 was launched on December 12, 2017, at 18:36 UTC, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket (flight VA240) from ELA-3, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

### Q: What is the orbital configuration of GSAT0217?
A: GSAT0217 operates in a medium Earth orbit (MEO) with a semi-major axis of 29,599.8 km, an inclination of 56.0°, and an eccentricity of 0.0 (circular orbit).

### Q: Who operates GSAT0217?
A: GSAT0217 is operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme.

### Q: What is the design life of GSAT0217?
A: GSAT0217 has a design life of 12 years.

## Why It Matters
GSAT0217 is a critical component of the Galileo satellite navigation system, which provides positioning, navigation, and timing services across Europe and beyond. The Galileo constellation aims to offer high-accuracy positioning services, supporting applications ranging from transportation and logistics to emergency services and scientific research. By operating in medium Earth orbit, GSAT0217 contributes to the system's global coverage and resilience. Its successful deployment and operation are essential for the European Union's independent navigation infrastructure, reducing reliance on external systems like GPS.

## Notable For
- **Part of the Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) series**: GSAT0217 is one of the satellites in the Galileo FOC phase, ensuring the system's full operational capability.
- **Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Navigation**: Unlike GPS satellites in low Earth orbit, GSAT0217 operates in MEO, providing better signal coverage and accuracy.
- **European Independence**: As part of the Galileo system, GSAT0217 supports Europe's goal of having its own independent satellite navigation system.
- **High-Precision Timing**: The Galileo system, including GSAT0217, offers high-precision timing services, critical for synchronization in financial, scientific, and infrastructure applications.
- **Robust Redundancy**: The Galileo constellation includes multiple satellites to ensure redundancy and continuous service availability.

## Body
### Overview
GSAT0217 is a navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation, part of the European Union's Galileo satellite navigation system. It was launched on December 12, 2017, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket (flight VA240) from ELA-3, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The satellite operates in medium Earth orbit (MEO) to provide positioning, navigation, and timing services.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 733 kg (launch weight)
- **Orbit**: MEO with a semi-major axis of 29,599.8 km, an inclination of 56.0°, and an eccentricity of 0.0 (circular orbit)
- **Design Life**: 12 years
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (2 panels)
- **Spacecraft Bus**: SmartMEO

### Operational Details
- **Operator**: European Union Agency for the Space Programme
- **Launch Date**: December 12, 2017, at 18:36 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5ES (flight VA240)
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3, Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana

### Significance
GSAT0217 is part of the Galileo Full Operational Capability (FOC) series, ensuring the system's full operational capability. The Galileo constellation, including GSAT0217, provides high-accuracy positioning, navigation, and timing services, supporting applications ranging from transportation and logistics to emergency services and scientific research. The satellite's operation in MEO contributes to the system's global coverage and resilience, supporting Europe's independent navigation infrastructure.

## 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)