# B1048 > Falcon 9 first-stage booster, destroyed during a landing failure **Wikidata**: [Q55978911](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55978911) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9_B1048) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/b1048 ## Summary B1048 was a Falcon 9 first-stage booster manufactured by SpaceX, part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series, which was destroyed during a landing failure on March 18, 2020. It was a reusable rocket booster used in multiple orbital launches, including missions for Iridium NEXT, SAOCOM 1A, Nusantara Satu, Beresheet, and Starlink. ## Key Facts - **Type**: Falcon 9 first-stage booster, part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series. - **Manufacturer**: SpaceX, an American private aerospace company founded on March 14, 2002. - **Country of Origin**: United States. - **Serial Number**: B1048, designated by SpaceX. - **Significant Events**: - Launched Iridium NEXT on July 25, 2018. - Launched SAOCOM 1A on October 8, 2018. - Launched Nusantara Satu and Beresheet on February 22, 2019. - Launched Starlink missions on November 11, 2019, and March 18, 2020. - **Destruction Date**: March 18, 2020, due to a hard landing. - **Preceded by**: B1047, another expended Falcon 9 first-stage booster. - **Followed by**: B1049, another expended Falcon 9 first-stage booster. - **Aliases**: Falcon 9 B1048, Falcon 9 booster B1048, SpaceX Falcon 9 B1048. - **Wikidata Description**: Falcon 9 first-stage booster, destroyed during a landing failure. - **Wikipedia Title**: Falcon 9 B1048. - **Commons Category**: SpaceX Falcon 9 B1048. - **Sitelink Count**: 6. - **Wikipedia Languages**: Available in Commons, Czech, English, Italian, Thai, and Chinese. ## FAQs **What is B1048?** B1048 was a Falcon 9 first-stage booster manufactured by SpaceX, part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series. It was used in multiple orbital launches and was destroyed during a landing failure on March 18, 2020. **What missions did B1048 participate in?** B1048 was involved in several significant missions, including the launches of Iridium NEXT on July 25, 2018, SAOCOM 1A on October 8, 2018, Nusantara Satu and Beresheet on February 22, 2019, and Starlink missions on November 11, 2019, and March 18, 2020. **When was B1048 destroyed?** B1048 was destroyed on March 18, 2020, due to a hard landing during a Starlink mission. **What are the aliases for B1048?** B1048 is also known as Falcon 9 B1048, Falcon 9 booster B1048, and SpaceX Falcon 9 B1048. **What is the relationship between B1048 and other Falcon 9 boosters?** B1048 was preceded by B1047 and followed by B1049, both of which are also expended Falcon 9 first-stage boosters. ## Why It Matters B1048 represents a significant milestone in SpaceX's efforts to develop reusable rocket technology. As part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series, it played a crucial role in multiple high-profile missions, demonstrating the feasibility and reliability of reusable boosters. The destruction of B1048 during a landing failure highlights the challenges and risks associated with rocket reusability, providing valuable data and lessons for future missions. Its contributions to missions like Iridium NEXT, SAOCOM 1A, and Starlink underscore its importance in advancing space exploration and satellite deployment. ## Notable For - Being part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series, the current version of the SpaceX Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle. - Participating in multiple high-profile missions, including Iridium NEXT, SAOCOM 1A, Nusantara Satu, Beresheet, and Starlink. - Demonstrating the feasibility and reliability of reusable rocket boosters. - Providing valuable data and lessons from its destruction during a landing failure. ## Body ### Overview B1048 was a Falcon 9 first-stage booster manufactured by SpaceX, an American private aerospace company founded on March 14, 2002. It was part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series, the current version of the SpaceX Falcon 9 orbital launch vehicle. B1048 was designed to be reusable, aiming to reduce the cost of space access by allowing multiple launches with the same hardware. ### Manufacturing and Design B1048 was manufactured by SpaceX and designated with the serial number B1048. It was part of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series, which represents the latest iteration of the Falcon 9 rocket, incorporating improvements in performance, reusability, and reliability. The booster was designed to withstand multiple launches and landings, a key feature of SpaceX's strategy to make space travel more cost-effective. ### Missions and Launches B1048 participated in several significant missions: - **Iridium NEXT**: Launched on July 25, 2018, this mission was part of the Iridium satellite constellation, which provides global voice and data communication. - **SAOCOM 1A**: Launched on October 8, 2018, this mission involved the deployment of the SAOCOM 1A satellite, an Earth observation satellite developed by the Argentine Space Agency (CONAE). - **Nusantara Satu and Beresheet**: Launched on February 22, 2019, this mission included the deployment of the Nusantara Satu communication satellite and the Beresheet lunar lander, developed by SpaceIL. - **Starlink**: B1048 was involved in two Starlink missions, launched on November 11, 2019, and March 18, 2020. The Starlink project aims to create a global satellite internet constellation. ### Destruction and Lessons Learned B1048 was destroyed on March 18, 2020, during a landing failure following a Starlink mission. The hard landing resulted in the loss of the booster, but it provided valuable data and lessons for SpaceX's ongoing efforts to improve the reliability and safety of reusable rocket technology. The incident highlighted the challenges and risks associated with rocket reusability, underscoring the importance of continuous testing and refinement. ### Relationships with Other Boosters B1048 was part of a sequence of Falcon 9 first-stage boosters. It was preceded by B1047 and followed by B1049, both of which are also expended Falcon 9 first-stage boosters. These relationships illustrate the iterative development and deployment of reusable rocket technology by SpaceX. ### Aliases and Identification B1048 is also known by several aliases, including Falcon 9 B1048, Falcon 9 booster B1048, and SpaceX Falcon 9 B1048. These aliases reflect the various ways the booster is referenced in different contexts and sources. ### Documentation and References B1048 is documented in various online resources, including Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. The Wikipedia title for B1048 is "Falcon 9 B1048," and it has a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons under "SpaceX Falcon 9 B1048." The booster is also referenced in multiple languages, including Commons, Czech, English, Italian, Thai, and Chinese, indicating its global significance and recognition. ### Significance and Impact B1048's contributions to multiple high-profile missions underscore its importance in advancing space exploration and satellite deployment. Its role in the Iridium NEXT, SAOCOM 1A, Nusantara Satu, Beresheet, and Starlink missions highlights the versatility and reliability of the Falcon 9 Block 5 series. The destruction of B1048 during a landing failure provides valuable insights into the challenges of rocket reusability, contributing to the ongoing development and improvement of SpaceX's launch systems.