X Report 20 Jan 2025
SpaceX continues to push forward with its ambitious plans as the FAA investigates Starship debris reports, while Starlink maintains robust satellite operations.
GSAT0104 (GALILEO-FM4) (38858)
COSPAR: 2012-055B | Alt Name: GalileoSat-4
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 12, 2012
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELS
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-ST-B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
38858
International Designator
2012-055B
Epoch
Sat, 01 Mar 2025 18:33:38 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
55.54°
Right Ascension
115.22°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
278.18°
Period
874.89 min
Mean Motion
1.65 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GSAT0104 (GALILEO-FM4)
Alternative Name
GalileoSat-4
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ESA/GSAEU
Country
European Space Agency
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 38858U 12055B 25060.77336331 .00000028 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 38858 55.5405 115.2181 0002939 278.1775 81.8829 1.64591902 5353
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The GSAT0104 (GALILEO-FM4), also known as GalileoSat-4, is a navigation satellite launched on October 12, 2012, from the Guiana Space Center using a Soyuz-ST-B launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 2.7 meters in length and has a diameter of 1.6 meters with a span of 14.5 meters when solar arrays are deployed. It was manufactured by EADSB/THALR for ESA/GSAEU and its mission is to support the Galileo navigation system. GSAT0104 has a dry mass of 700 kilograms, identical to its launch mass. The satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries and features an Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS). Its shape consists of a box with two panels and it has a radar cross-section of 13.8217 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.7
Diameter
1.6
Span
14.5
Dry Mass
700
Launch Mass
700
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
13.8217
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Galileo IOV FM4
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
EADSB/THALR
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
GalileoSat
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
LeoLabs Launches Delta Military SSA Platform | KeepTrack Space Brief
LeoLabs debuts Delta, a space monitoring tool designed for military operators to detect adversarial orbital activity beyond standard conjunction warnings.
Starlink Hits 10,000 Satellites in Orbit, X Report 17 Mar 2026
How many Starlink satellites are in orbit in 2026? SpaceX passed 10,000 after the Starlink 17-24 launch, with 10,020 in orbit and 11,529 launched.
Space Force Eyes Asteroid Mining, Clashes With Congress on R-GPS | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force sees strategic value in asteroid mining. Congress pushes back on R-GPS phase-out over jamming risks. BlackSky expands Gen 3 defense contracts.
X Report 23 Nov 2025
SpaceX continues its robust launch cadence with new Starlink deployments and faces challenges in Starship development following the recent damage to its prototype booster.
X Report 29 Jan 2025
Key developments include political attention on SpaceX's ISS crew return and competition forecasts between SpaceX and ULA for national security missions.
Space Brief 3 Jul 2025
Today's coverage includes the cancellation of DARPA's DRACO nuclear propulsion project, global shifts in Earth observation strategy, and new developments in satellite technology and military collaborations.
Space Brief 21 Apr 2025
Today's briefing highlights SpaceX's recent launch of spy satellites, a US Space Force contract for deep space tracking, and advancements in quantum communications in space.