# BlueBird 4

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q131940361](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131940361)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bluebird-4

## Summary
BlueBird 4 is a communications satellite operated by AST SpaceMobile, launched on September 12, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. It is part of the BlueBird Block 1 series and operates in low Earth orbit, designed to provide mobile broadband services.

## Key Facts
- Launched on September 12, 2024, at 08:52 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40
- Operated by AST SpaceMobile, with manufacturer also being AST SpaceMobile
- Satellite mass approximately 1,500 kilograms
- Part of the BlueBird Block 1 series, following BlueBird 3 and preceding BlueBird 5
- Launched aboard Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (core B1078 on its 13th flight)
- Operates in low Earth orbit
- Has multiple aliases including SpaceMobile-004, BlueBird SM004, and BlueBird Block 1 FM4
- Country of origin and operator is the United States
- COSPAR ID: 2024-163E
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 61049

## FAQs
### Q: What is BlueBird 4's primary purpose?
A: BlueBird 4 is a communications satellite designed to provide mobile broadband services as part of AST SpaceMobile's network, operating in low Earth orbit to enable direct-to-smartphone connectivity.

### Q: When and how was BlueBird 4 launched?
A: BlueBird 4 launched on September 12, 2024, at 08:52 UTC aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (core B1078) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 in Florida.

### Q: What are BlueBird 4's key specifications?
A: BlueBird 4 has a mass of approximately 1,500 kilograms and operates in low Earth orbit as part of the BlueBird Block 1 series, with aliases including SpaceMobile-004 and BlueBird SM004.

## Why It Matters
BlueBird 4 represents a significant advancement in satellite-based mobile communications, as it is part of AST SpaceMobile's pioneering effort to create a space-based cellular broadband network. Unlike traditional satellite internet services that require special equipment, BlueBird satellites are designed to connect directly with standard smartphones, potentially bringing reliable mobile broadband to remote and underserved areas worldwide. This technology could bridge the digital divide by providing coverage in regions where terrestrial cellular infrastructure is impractical or economically unfeasible. As the fourth satellite in AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Block 1 series, BlueBird 4 contributes to building out a constellation that aims to deliver 4G/5G-like speeds directly from space, marking a transformative step in global connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure.

## Notable For
- First satellite in AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Block 1 series to launch in 2024
- Designed for direct-to-smartphone connectivity without special equipment
- Launched on a flight-proven Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (B1078 on its 13th mission)
- Part of a revolutionary approach to mobile broadband from space
- Contributes to AST SpaceMobile's goal of providing global cellular coverage

## Body
### Technical Specifications
BlueBird 4 is a communications satellite with a mass of approximately 1,500 kilograms, designed and manufactured by AST SpaceMobile. The satellite operates in low Earth orbit as part of the BlueBird Block 1 series, which represents the first generation of AST SpaceMobile's communications satellites.

### Launch Details
The satellite launched on September 12, 2024, at 08:52 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. It was carried aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket, specifically using core B1078 on its 13th flight. The launch contractor was SpaceX, with the mission designated as part of AST SpaceMobile's deployment strategy.

### Operational Characteristics
BlueBird 4 operates as a communications satellite with the primary function of providing mobile broadband services. It is part of AST SpaceMobile's innovative approach to creating a space-based cellular network that can connect directly with standard smartphones, eliminating the need for specialized ground equipment typically required for satellite communications.

### Series Position and Naming
As BlueBird 4, this satellite follows BlueBird 3 and precedes BlueBird 5 in the series. It carries multiple designations including SpaceMobile-004, BlueBird SM004, and BlueBird Block 1 FM4, reflecting its role in AST SpaceMobile's broader satellite constellation strategy.

### Identification and Tracking
The satellite is cataloged with Satellite Catalog Number 61049 and assigned COSPAR ID 2024-163E. These identifiers allow for official tracking and documentation by space agencies and satellite monitoring organizations worldwide.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "BlueBird 4",
  "description": "Communications satellite operated by AST SpaceMobile, launched on September 12, 2024, as part of the BlueBird Block 1 series",
  "url": null,
  "sameAs": [
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/bluebird-1.htm)
2. [Source](https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7143)
3. Jonathan's Space Report