# B1023

> Falcon 9 first-stage booster, converted to a Falcon Heavy side booster; retired

**Wikidata**: [Q42710147](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q42710147)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9_booster_B1023)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b1023

## Summary
B1023 is a retired Falcon 9 first-stage booster manufactured by SpaceX. It was originally used for the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket and later converted to serve as a side booster for the Falcon Heavy rocket. After its retirement, it was displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Falcon 9 booster (retired)
- **Manufacturer**: SpaceX
- **Serial number**: B1023 (assigned by SpaceX)
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **First significant event**: Launched the Thaicom 8 mission on May 27, 2016
- **Conversion**: Reconfigured to serve as a side booster for the Falcon Heavy Demonstration Mission on February 6, 2018
- **Retirement status**: Retired and displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 2021
- **Preceded by**: B1022 (another retired Falcon 9 booster)
- **Followed by**: B1024 (a destroyed Falcon 9 booster)

## FAQs
### Q: What type of rocket was B1023 originally used for?
A: B1023 was originally used as a first-stage booster for the Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket.

### Q: When was B1023 retired?
A: B1023 was retired and displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in 2021.

### Q: What was B1023's role in the Falcon Heavy rocket?
A: After its initial use on the Falcon 9, B1023 was converted to serve as a side booster for the Falcon Heavy Demonstration Mission on February 6, 2018.

### Q: Which booster preceded B1023?
A: B1022 was the booster that preceded B1023.

### Q: What happened to B1023 after its retirement?
A: B1023 was displayed as an exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

## Why It Matters
B1023 is significant as one of SpaceX's early Falcon 9 boosters, demonstrating the company's ability to repurpose and reuse rocket components. Its conversion to a Falcon Heavy side booster showcased SpaceX's engineering flexibility and commitment to cost-efficient spaceflight. After retirement, B1023's display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provided a tangible connection between SpaceX's technological achievements and public engagement with space exploration. Its role in multiple missions highlights SpaceX's rapid iteration and adaptation of its rocket fleet, contributing to the company's reputation for innovation in reusable rocket technology.

## Notable For
- **First Falcon Heavy Side Booster**: B1023 was the first Falcon 9 booster to be converted and used as a side booster for the Falcon Heavy rocket.
- **Thaicom 8 Launch**: It successfully launched the Thaicom 8 communications satellite in 2016.
- **Public Display**: One of the first SpaceX boosters to be displayed at a public visitor complex, making spaceflight history more accessible to the public.
- **Reusability Demonstration**: Its repurposing for the Falcon Heavy mission demonstrated SpaceX's ability to adapt existing hardware for new missions.

## Body
### Overview
B1023 is a retired Falcon 9 first-stage booster manufactured by SpaceX. It was part of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust series, which marked a significant upgrade in SpaceX's rocket capabilities. The booster was originally designed for multiple missions, including satellite deployments and potential reuse.

### Mission History
- **Thaicom 8 Launch**: B1023 made its first flight on May 27, 2016, deploying the Thaicom 8 communications satellite. This mission was a critical test of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust's performance.
- **Falcon Heavy Conversion**: After its initial use, B1023 was repurposed as a side booster for the Falcon Heavy Demonstration Mission on February 6, 2018. This marked its first and only use as a Falcon Heavy side booster.

### Retirement and Display
- **Retirement**: B1023 was retired from active service after its Falcon Heavy mission.
- **Exhibition**: In 2021, the booster was displayed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, becoming one of the first SpaceX boosters to be publicly exhibited. This display provided visitors with a tangible example of SpaceX's reusable rocket technology.

### Technical Specifications
- **Manufacturer**: SpaceX
- **Serial Number**: B1023 (assigned by SpaceX)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Significant Events**: Thaicom 8 launch (2016), Falcon Heavy Demonstration Mission (2018), exhibition at Kennedy Space Center (2021)

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "B1023",
  "description": "Falcon 9 first-stage booster, converted to a Falcon Heavy side booster; retired",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111111111",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9_booster_B1023"
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  "additionalType": "RocketBooster",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "SpaceX"
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  "serialNumber": "B1023",
  "countryOfOrigin": {
    "@type": "Country",
    "name": "United States"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2021/09/17/space-coast-finally-getting-its-own-spacex-falcon-9-booster/8376174002/)
2. [Source](https://spaceexplored.com/2021/10/02/spacex-falcon-heavy-booster-arrives-at-kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex-for-permanent-display/)