# GSAT0219

> navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q130483117](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130483117)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gsat0219

## Summary
GSAT0219 is a navigation satellite in the Galileo constellation, part of Europe's global satellite navigation system. It was launched on July 25, 2018, aboard an Ariane 5ES rocket as part of the Galileo Full Operational Capability model.

## Key Facts
- GSAT0219 is a navigation satellite in the Galileo Full Operational Capability model
- Launched on July 25, 2018, at 11:25:08 from ELA-3 aboard Ariane 5ES rocket (flight VA244)
- Has a mass of 733 kilograms (launch weight)
- Has a design service life of 12 years
- Operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme
- Occupies a medium Earth orbit with an inclination of 56.0 degrees and semi-major axis of 29,599.8 km
- Manufactured by OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology

## FAQs
### Q: What is GSAT0219?
A: GSAT0219 is a navigation satellite that is part of Europe's Galileo constellation, which provides global positioning services. It's one of the Full Operational Capability satellites designed to improve the accuracy and reliability of navigation services worldwide.

### Q: When and how was GSAT0219 launched?
A: GSAT0219 was launched on July 25, 2018, at 11:25:08 from ELA-3 launch complex using an Ariane 5ES rocket. This was part of flight VA244, which deployed several satellites into medium Earth orbit.

### Q: Who operates GSAT0219?
A: GSAT0219 is operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, which oversees the Galileo navigation system. The agency manages the constellation to ensure continuous and accurate positioning services worldwide.

### Q: What are the technical specifications of GSAT0219?
A: GSAT0219 has a mass of 733 kilograms, a 12-year design life, and operates in a medium Earth orbit with an inclination of 56.0 degrees and semi-major axis of 29,599.8 km. It uses a SmartMEO spacecraft bus and is powered by two solar arrays.

## Why It Matters
GSAT0219 plays a crucial role in Europe's independent global satellite navigation system, reducing reliance on foreign navigation technologies. As part of the Galileo Full Operational Capability, it contributes to improved positioning accuracy, timing services, and authentication capabilities for users worldwide. This satellite helps support critical applications ranging from transportation and emergency response to agriculture and financial transactions, making it an essential infrastructure component for modern society.

## Notable For
- One of the Full Operational Capability satellites providing enhanced navigation services compared to earlier models
- Features a SmartMEO spacecraft bus optimized for medium Earth orbit operations
- Equipped with advanced atomic clocks for precise timing services
- Part of the Galileo constellation which provides an alternative to GPS, GLONASS, and other global navigation systems
- Has a specific COSPAR ID (2018-060C) for identification in space object catalogs

## Body
### Basic Information
GSAT0219, also known as Tara, Galileo-FOC FM19, Galileo 23, or GalileoSat-23, is a navigation satellite operating within the Galileo constellation. It belongs to the Galileo Full Operational Capability model, representing an advanced generation of European navigation satellites.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on July 25, 2018, at 11:25:08 from the ELA-3 launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre using an Ariane 5ES rocket. This launch was designated as flight VA244 and successfully deployed the satellite into its intended medium Earth orbit. The launch represented a significant milestone in the expansion of the Galileo constellation to full operational capability.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 733 kilograms (launch weight)
- Spacecraft Bus: SmartMEO
- Power Source: Spacecraft solar array (2 panels)
- Service Life: 12 years (design life)
- Space Tug: EPS-V L10 (with 596)
- NSSDCA ID: 2018-060C
- SC Number: 43566

### Orbital Parameters
- Orbit Type: Medium Earth Orbit
- Orbital Inclination: 56.0 degrees
- Orbital Eccentricity: 0.0 (circular orbit)
- Semi-major Axis: 29,599.8 kilometers
- This specific orbital configuration allows the satellite to maintain consistent coverage for the Galileo navigation system.

### Manufacturing and Operation
GSAT0219 was manufactured by OHB System AG and Surrey Satellite Technology, combining expertise from major European aerospace companies. The satellite is operated by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, which assumed control on January 22, 2017, according to the available data. The agency manages all aspects of the satellite's operation from the Galileo Control Center.

### Role in the Galileo System
As part of the Galileo Full Operational Capability, GSAT0219 contributes to the network of satellites providing positioning, timing, and navigation services. These services enhance the accuracy, reliability, and security of navigation data compared to earlier system generations, supporting a wide range of commercial and governmental applications worldwide.

## 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/169)
4. Jonathan's Space Report
5. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galileo-foc.htm)