Gaia spacecraft
Gaia is a European Space Agency observatory designed to map the positions and motions of stars in the Milky Way.
Also known as: Gaia observatory
How big is it?
3.5 m tall
Approximate observatory height · approximate
Typical recorded range: 3.3 m to 3.7 m.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Voyager 1 spacecraft.
Voyager 1 spacecraft: Voyager 1 is a NASA space probe launched in 1977 to study the outer planets and now travels through interstellar space.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Gaia spacecraft
ESA’s Gaia observatory was approximately 3.5 m high and had a launch mass near 2,030 kg. Its deployed circular sunshield defines a much larger transverse span.
The marked approximate observatory height is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Voyager 1 spacecraft
Voyager 1 had a launch mass of about 721.9 kg and a main dish-to-bus scale of roughly 3.66 m. Its long magnetometer boom and antennas extend beyond that calibrated span.
The marked approximate dish-to-bus span is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 3.5 m
For comparison, this page uses approximate observatory height. This is labelled approximate; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 3.3 m to 3.7 m.
ESA’s Gaia observatory was approximately 3.5 m high and had a launch mass near 2,030 kg. Its deployed circular sunshield defines a much larger transverse span.
The marked vertical span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Gaia spacecraft dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 m | 3.3 m to 3.7 m | approximate | |
| 2.03 t | Not recorded | approximate |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · SpaceParker Solar Probe3 mThe Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft launched to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere at close range.
Around the same scale · SpaceVoyager 1 spacecraft3.66 mVoyager 1 is a NASA space probe launched in 1977 to study the outer planets and now travels through interstellar space.
Nearest higher value · SpaceKepler space telescope4.7 mThe Kepler space telescope was a NASA observatory launched to detect planets around other stars by monitoring changes in their brightness.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- ESA — Gaia factsheetObservatory dimensions, deployed sunshield and launch mass.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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