// astronomy · 2013

Gaia

European Space Agency astrometric mission. Gaia was launched on December 19, 2013 aboard a Soyuz-ST-B from Kourou. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Dec 19, 2013).

COSPAR 2013-074ANORAD 39479European Space Agency

Identity

Name in GCAT: Gaia
International designator: 2013-074A
NORAD catalog number: 39479
GCAT identifier: S39479
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/699

Mission

Mission type: Astronomy
Use: Civil government
Program: ESA Ast
Owner: ESA
Country: European Space Agency
Builder: Astrium (F) Toulouse
Platform (bus): Gaia

Launch

Date: December 19, 2013 · 09:12 UTC
Launch record: 2013-074Success
Rocket: Soyuz-ST-B
Spaceport: Kourou · pad ELS

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): CLO
Perigee: 344 km
Apogee: 962,690 km
Inclination: 14.98°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: December 19, 2013
Last known active: Mar 27, 2025
End of operations: Mar 27, 2025

Size

Mass: 1,934 kg
Dry mass: 1,392 kg
Length: 4.0 m
Diameter: 3.00 m
Span: 9.5 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00937
Final central body: SEL2
Phase start: January 13, 2014
Phase outcome: Escaped to another body · February 8, 2025
Destination: HCO

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Dec 19, 2013	Earth	Jan 13, 2014	Escaped to another body	SEL2

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q767805 (CC0).