Architecture of GAIA satellite phased array antenna

GAIA is a new scientific ESA programme aimed to build a 3D map of the stars in the galaxy to unprecedented accuracy. In order to meet such requirement the GAIA satellite will be located in a Lissajous-type orbit, around the L2 point of the Sun-Earth system, which is located 1.5 million km from the Earth in the anti-Sun direction. This orbit is not impacted by Earth eclipses and shadowing from the Sun, Earth or Moon.