// navigation · 2005

GIOVE-A

Testbed satellite for the Galileo navigation system. GIOVE-A was launched on December 28, 2005 aboard a Soyuz-FG from Baikonur. Latest status in GCAT: in orbit.

COSPAR 2005-051ANORAD 28922European Space Agency

Identity

Name in GCAT: Giove A
Common name: GIOVE-A
Payload designation: Galileo IOV Experiment A
Other names: PRN E01/E51,GSTB-v2/A
International designator: 2005-051A
NORAD catalog number: 28922
GCAT identifier: S28922
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/490

Mission

Mission type: Navigation
Use: Civil government
Program: Giove
Owner: ESA
Country: European Space Agency
Builder: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
Platform (bus): SSTL-600

Launch

Date: December 28, 2005 · 05:19 UTC
Launch record: 2005-051Success
Rocket: Soyuz-FG
Spaceport: Baikonur · pad LC31

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): MEO
Perigee: 23,229 km
Apogee: 23,284 km
Inclination: 56.05°
Status: In orbit
Last known active: Nov 24, 2021
End of operations: Jun 30, 2012

Size

Mass: 600 kg
Dry mass: 550 kg
Length: 1.3 m
Diameter: 1.80 m
Span: 11.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q3295582 (CC0).