# O3B FM14
**Wikidata**: [Q18478501](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18478501)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/o3b-fm14

## Summary
O3B FM14 is a communications satellite launched on March 9, 2018, as part of SES's O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation. It was designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to underserved regions around the world. The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket.

## Key Facts
- COSPAR ID: 2018-024C  
- Launch date: March 9, 2018  
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz-2.1b  
- Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 43233  
- Instance of: Communications satellite  
- Operated by: SES (Société Européenne des Satellites)  
- Part of the O3b constellation (Other MEO satellites include FM10, FM11, FM12, FM13, FM15–FM18)  
- Wikipedia coverage: Portuguese language only  

## FAQs
### Q: What is O3b FM14 used for?
A: O3b FM14 is used to deliver broadband internet services to remote and underserved areas via the O3b satellite constellation. It operates in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), offering lower latency than traditional geostationary satellites.

### Q: When was O3b FM14 launched?
A: O3b FM14 was launched on March 9, 2018.

### Q: Who launched O3b FM14 and how?
A: O3b FM14 was launched using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

## Why It Matters
O3b FM14 plays a critical role in expanding global access to reliable, high-performance internet connectivity. As part of SES’s O3b constellation, it targets regions with limited infrastructure—such as parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America—where terrestrial networks are insufficient or nonexistent. Its placement in Medium Earth Orbit allows it to offer significantly reduced latency compared to traditional geostationary satellites, making it suitable for applications like video conferencing, online education, and telemedicine. By bridging the digital divide, O3b FM14 contributes to economic development and improved quality of life in underserved communities worldwide.

## Notable For
- Being one of eight second-generation O3b satellites enhancing global broadband coverage  
- Providing low-latency communication due to its Medium Earth Orbit positioning (~8,000 km altitude)  
- Supporting SES’s mission to bring affordable, scalable internet to emerging markets  
- Launched alongside other key satellites in the O3b fleet to form a resilient MEO network  
- Operates within a commercially successful model that combines performance with cost efficiency  

## Body

### Mission Overview
O3b FM14 is part of SES’s O3b ("Other 3 Billion") initiative aimed at connecting unconnected populations globally through a constellation of satellites operating in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO). These satellites orbit closer to Earth than geostationary satellites but farther than Low Earth Orbit (LEO) systems, balancing signal strength and latency effectively.

### Technical Specifications
- **Catalog Number**: 43233  
- **Orbit Type**: Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)  
- **Launch Mass**: Approximately 700 kg  
- **Design Life**: ~15 years  
- **Frequency Bands**: Ku-band payload for data transmission  

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: March 9, 2018  
- **Launch Site**: Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1b/Fregat upper stage  
- **Mission Reference**: Provided by Q6272367 (likely a space database or official registry)

### Operational Role
As part of the operational O3b constellation, FM14 works in tandem with other satellites such as FM10 through FM18 to deliver seamless, fiber-like connectivity. This includes support for enterprise, government, maritime, and aviation sectors requiring robust, secure, and scalable bandwidth solutions.

### Constellation Context
The O3b system originally consisted of four first-generation satellites launched between 2013 and 2014. A second batch—including FM14—was deployed starting in 2018 to expand capacity and improve service reliability. These newer satellites feature enhanced throughput capabilities and more advanced onboard processing technologies.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report