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 · approximate observatory height
Approximate observatory height · approximate
Typical recorded range: 3.3 m to 3.7 m.
A little perspective
Gaia spacecraft vs Voyager 1 spacecraft: length comparison
The dish-to-bus span of the Voyager 1 spacecraft is about 1.05 times the observatory height of the Gaia spacecraft.
Gaia is a European Space Agency observatory designed to map the positions and motions of stars in the Milky Way.
Voyager 1 is a NASA space probe launched in 1977 to study the outer planets and now travels through interstellar space.
Both rulers start at the same zero and share one linear scale. Artwork keeps its original proportions. Horizontal rulers compare the selected spans; vertical brackets also identify height on the artwork.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Gaia spacecraft
Approximate observatory height: 3.5 m; approximate; range 3.3 m–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 approximate observatory height is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Voyager 1 spacecraft
Approximate dish-to-bus span: 3.66 m; approximate; range 3.5 m–3.8 m.
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.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 3.5 m
We compare the observatory height of the Gaia spacecraft. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty. 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 measured feature, not the edges of the image. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
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
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlanets, moons and spaceParker Solar Probe3 mOverall spacecraft heightThe Parker Solar Probe is a NASA spacecraft launched to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere at close range.
Around the same scalePlanets, moons and spaceVoyager 1 spacecraft3.66 mApproximate dish-to-bus spanVoyager 1 is a NASA space probe launched in 1977 to study the outer planets and now travels through interstellar space.
Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceKepler space telescope4.7 mOverall observatory heightThe 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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