# B1041

> expended Falcon 9 first-stage booster

**Wikidata**: [Q47265991](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47265991)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b1041

## Summary  
B1041 is an expended Falcon 9 first-stage booster manufactured by SpaceX. It was part of the Falcon 9 Block 4 series and flew two missions before being expended in March 2018.

## Key Facts  
- Serial number: B1041 (qualified by SpaceX)  
- Instance of: Falcon 9 booster, Falcon 9 Block 4, former entity  
- Manufacturer: SpaceX  
- Country of origin: United States  
- First mission: Iridium NEXT on 2017-10-09  
- Second mission: Iridium NEXT on 2018-03-30 (final flight; expended)  
- Preceded by: B1040  
- Followed by: B1042  
- Commons category: SpaceX Falcon 9 B1041  
- Aliases: Falcon 9 B1041, Falcon 9 booster B1041, SpaceX Falcon 9 B1041  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is B1041?  
A: B1041 is a Falcon 9 first-stage booster used by SpaceX. It was built as part of the Block 4 variant of the Falcon 9 rocket and was expended after its second flight.

### Q: When was B1041 launched?  
A: B1041 flew twice: first on October 9, 2017, and again on March 30, 2018. It was expended during its second mission.

### Q: Is B1041 still active?  
A: No, B1041 was expended on March 30, 2018, following its second launch. It no longer exists as an operational entity.

## Why It Matters  
B1041 represents a transitional phase in SpaceX's reusable rocket development program. As part of the Falcon 9 Block 4 generation, it contributed to early efforts at reusability while bridging toward the more advanced Block 5 design. Its two successful flights demonstrated incremental progress in reducing launch costs through partial reuse, even though it was ultimately not recovered. The booster played a key role in deploying payloads for the Iridium NEXT constellation, supporting global satellite communications infrastructure.

## Notable For  
- Being one of the last boosters in the Falcon 9 Block 4 configuration  
- Supporting two Iridium NEXT missions  
- Demonstrating limited reusability within the pre-Block 5 era  
- Marking the end of the Block 4 production line with its final use in March 2018  

## Body  
### Overview  
B1041 is a retired Falcon 9 first-stage booster produced by SpaceX under the Block 4 iteration of the Falcon 9 launch system. Like other Block 4 boosters, it was designed for limited reuse but was generally not intended for extensive reflown operations compared to later Block 5 models.

### Missions  
B1041 supported two orbital missions, both carrying satellites for the Iridium NEXT constellation:  
- **First Launch**: October 9, 2017 – Successfully delivered Iridium NEXT satellites into orbit.  
- **Second Launch**: March 30, 2018 – Also carried Iridium NEXT satellites; B1041 was expended post-flight.

### Technical Classification  
- Classified as a **Falcon 9 Block 4** vehicle, indicating its place in the evolutionary sequence of Falcon 9 designs prior to the introduction of Block 5.  
- Part of SpaceX’s broader initiative to develop partially reusable launch systems aimed at lowering space access costs.

### Lifecycle  
- Launched for the first time in October 2017.  
- Reflown once in March 2018.  
- Expended on its second mission, marking the conclusion of its operational life cycle.

### Legacy  
B1041 exemplifies the engineering transition between early experimental reusability and full operational reusability embodied in subsequent Falcon 9 variants. Though not recoverable itself beyond its initial reuse, it helped validate concepts that informed future booster designs.

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