# MUOS 4

> geostationary satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q21254695](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21254695)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/muos-4

## Summary
MUOS 4 (Mobile User Objective System-4) is a geostationary communications satellite launched on September 2, 2015. It was deployed into orbit using an Atlas V 551 launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 to support telecommunications infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** MUOS 4 is categorized as both a geostationary satellite and a communications satellite.
- **Launch Date:** September 2, 2015.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas V 551 (manufactured by United Launch Alliance).
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2015-044A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 40887.
- **Orbit Type:** Geostationary orbit.

## FAQs
### Q: When was MUOS 4 launched?
A: MUOS 4 was launched on September 2, 2015.

### Q: What type of satellite is MUOS 4?
A: MUOS 4 is a geostationary satellite designed for telecommunications purposes.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch MUOS 4?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Atlas V 551 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

## Why It Matters
MUOS 4 serves as a critical component within the broader framework of artificial satellites designed for telecommunications. As a geostationary satellite, it maintains a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, which is essential for consistent communication relay capabilities. The launch of MUOS 4 utilized the Atlas V 551, a heavy-lift configuration of the United Launch Alliance vehicle, indicating the satellite's significant mass and complexity. By occupying a geostationary orbit, MUOS 4 contributes to the network of assets required for modern data and voice transmission, fulfilling the role of a communications satellite situated approximately 35,786 kilometers above the equator. Its deployment marked a specific addition to the orbital infrastructure tracked by international bodies via its COSPAR ID and Satellite Catalog Number.

## Notable For
- **Orbital Position:** Being a geostationary satellite, allowing it to maintain a constant position over a specific point on Earth.
- **Launch Configuration:** Utilization of the Atlas V 551 launch vehicle, a variant known for its solid rocket boosters and heavy payload capacity.
- **Specific Identifiers:** Possession of unique tracking identifiers, specifically COSPAR ID 2015-044A and SCN 40887.
- **Launch Location:** Deployment from the historic Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.

## Body
### Classification and Function
MUOS 4 is an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications. It is functionally classified as a communications satellite and operates from a geostationary orbit. This classification places it within a category of spacecraft that facilitate signal relay across vast distances.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on September 2, 2015. The launch event was a significant operation involving the United Launch Alliance.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The chosen carrier was the Atlas V 551. This launch vehicle is noted for its use of five solid rocket boosters (indicated by "551").
*   **Launch Complex:** The mission originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41.
*   **Event Type:** The deployment is formally categorized as a "rocket launch."

### Technical Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and management within global space catalogs, MUOS 4 is assigned specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2015-044A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 40887

### Related Entities
MUOS 4 is operationally and technologically linked to specific classes of objects and vehicles:
*   **Atlas V 551:** The specific United Launch Alliance launch vehicle used for its insertion into orbit.
*   **Geostationary Satellite:** The orbital class to which MUOS 4 belongs.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report