Thank you for your service, Galileo GSAT0104

For a large and long -lasting constellations, such as Galileo, which acts as an important public infrastructure and aims to distribute uninterrupted services from decades, as a launch, activities in the form of launch are required as decomitioning activities. To walk smoothly, the fleet requires continuous replenishment, and therefore the disposal of satellites is not only about making space safe, but also about making space for new satellites.

In October 2023, a board headed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission (EC) for the Space Program for the European Union Agency (EUSPA) first concluded to retire a Galileo satellite. The decommissioning activities for GSAT0104 began in March 2024 and were completed in April 2025.

GSAT0104 38 is one of the Galileo First Generation Satellites, designed, developed and tested by ESA, along with manufacturer EADS Astrium (4 in-orbit verification satellite) and OHB (34 full operating capacity satellite). After this declaration, the constellation offers similar level of performance services with active satellites in all its prime slots, as well as three active spare satellites. Additionally, the new satellite will continue to join the fleet, six ready to launch the first generation satellites and in the development of twelve second generation.

Protect the space atmosphere

Stability in space and space is a main priority for ESA, which promotes a responsible use of space to benefit both society and environment. The central space for this commitment is reducing debris, a serious global threat that threatens current and future missions, and they provide essential services.

To address the issue of growing space debris, ESA has set an ambitious target of pure zero space pollution for new missions by 2030. This goal is supported by permanent design practices, harsh debris mitigation policies and end-life satellite settlement protocols.

As the System Development Prime and Design Authority for the ESA, Galileo, it has aligned Galileo’s Space Segment Management with the agency’s Space debris policy and requirements, which shows dedication to permanent space activities and sets an example as a major European major program. Galileo satellite decomitioning operations are coordinated by EUSPA.

When a Galileo reaches the end of the satellite service, it has to be taken to a high and safe orbit and all sources of energy have to be reduced. Galileo’s cemetery classes are located at least 300 km above the active constellation and are designed to stay stable for a very long time. It is a vast region that does not interfere with galileo, geostaginal satellites or any other constellation for hundreds of years.

Thanks to the proponent reserves in GSAT0104, it was possible to keep it 700 km above the Galileo operating constellation at a very stable settlement class. Then, the satellite tank was abolished and all internal energy, such as the battery charge was removed and passed to the satellite. Future decommended galileo satellites will be settled slightly to maintain a safe distance between them.

Gravyard orbits have a standard settlement strategy for satellites in moderate earth and geostaging classes, where Earth Refusion is generally not possible.

Calm the constellation

Protecting the space atmosphere is only one of the reasons for the satellites properly disposed of that no longer serve the constellation or there is a risk of failure. “In Galileo, we need to keep our classes clear and safe to support the continuous renewal of fleet,” describes the Galileo Consultation Analyt’s head Ricardo Di Korato.

All satellites have a design lifetime, after which their systems are expected to be less reliable or effective (Galileo is 12 years in terms of first generation and 15 years for second generation satellites). Galileo Partners assess the status and contribution of annual Galileo satellites annually and either determine to expand the service for a year or to decomposition.

“It is important to ensure that a satellite may be removed from the constellation, while major components such as attitude controls, thrusters and telecom systems are still available. If we believe that the satellite can be disposed of successfully later in the future, we add DI Coreo.

A final service by historical gsat0104

GSAT0104 was launched on 12 October 2012 from Spaceport in Europe in French Guana. It was the fourth and final Galileo in-orbit verification satellite, which only enables the first determination of a ground space using Galileo satellites.

The satellite provided navigation services during the years before shifting for search and rescue service after a malfunction in L-Band antenna. In 2021, it was transferred from a prime to a spare slot to make space for one of the new satellites launched in April 2024. This continued to serve from this situation until the activities were started.

GSAT0104 is again included in a Galileo ‘First’. Its declaration has served as a model of responsibility in space activities to follow the constellations.

In addition, it has provided the necessary experiences to the program partners that will prove to be important as decomitioning efforts are made more often in the coming years.

The 2024 Satellite End-Life Review Board for the remaining three Galileo Iov satellites pledged to extend its lifetime by October 2025 to at least one year. Two Galileo Iov satellites have already exceeded their design lifetime for a year and the third has reached yet. They are still offering excellent navigation performances.

The service performance of Galileo satellites is monitored independently by the Galileo Reference Center (GRC) and can be consulted at the GNSS Service Center (GSC).

About Galileo

Galileo is currently the world’s most accurate satellite navigation system, serving more than four billion smartphone users worldwide since entering open service in 2017. All smartphones sold in the European single market are guarantees of Galileo-competent. In addition, Galileo is creating a difference in areas of rail, maritime, agriculture, financial time services and rescue operations.

A major program of the European Union, Galileo is managed and funded by the European Commission. Since its inception, ESA, as a system development Prime and Design Authority, leads the design, development and merit of space and ground systems. ESA has also been assigned to the European Union’s program horizon with research and development activities for the future of Galileo within Europe. The European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) serves as the System Prime for the Operational System Provider, which ensures exploitation and safe and safe distribution, supervising market demands and application needs.

For more information about Galileo: https://www.usegalileo.eu/en/