# O3B FM16
**Wikidata**: [Q18478478](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18478478)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/o3b-fm16

## Summary
O3B FM16 is a communications satellite launched on March 9, 2018, aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket. It is designed to support telecommunications services, identified by COSPAR ID 2018-024B and satellite catalog number (SCN) 43232. The satellite operates as part of global telecommunications infrastructure.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 9, 2018
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1b rocket
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-024B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 43232
- **Class**: Communications satellite
- **Wikipedia Coverage**: Available in Portuguese (pt)
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "43232"]

## FAQs
### Q: When was O3B FM16 launched?
A: O3B FM16 was launched on March 9, 2018.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch O3B FM16?
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket.

### Q: What is the primary function of O3B FM16?
A: It is a communications satellite designed to facilitate telecommunications, such as data transmission and internet connectivity.

## Why It Matters
O3B FM16 contributes to the global telecommunications network, enabling critical services like internet access and data transfer. As a communications satellite, it plays a role in bridging connectivity gaps, particularly in remote or underserved regions. Its launch on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket highlights the reliability of this launch vehicle for deploying satellites into orbit. While specific impact metrics are not provided, the satellite’s operation underscores the importance of space-based infrastructure in modern communication systems.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle**: Deployed via the Soyuz-2.1b, a variant of the Soyuz-2 rocket known for its reliability in satellite launches.
- **Unique Identifiers**: Trackable via COSPAR ID 2018-024B and SCN 43232, ensuring precise monitoring and communication.
- **Specialized Role**: Designed explicitly for telecommunications, emphasizing its purpose-built function in global connectivity.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
O3B FM16 was launched on **March 9, 2018**, using a **Soyuz-2.1b** rocket. This launch vehicle is part of the Soyuz-2 family, a modified version of the Soyuz rocket with improved performance for satellite deployments.

### Satellite Specifications
- **COSPAR ID**: 2018-024B (assigned by the International Space Science Board)
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 43232 (tracked by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network)
- **Class**: Categorized as a **communications satellite**, indicating its role in transmitting data, voice, or video signals.

### Mission and Operations
As a communications satellite, O3B FM16 supports telecommunications services, though specific operational details (e.g., coverage area, bandwidth) are not provided in the source material. Its identification in the Portuguese Wikipedia and Wolfram Language Entity Code (Entity["Satellite", "43232"]) reflects its recognition in technical and multilingual contexts.

### Identification and Tracking
The satellite is monitored through its unique identifiers (COSPAR ID and SCN), which are critical for tracking its orbit and ensuring uninterrupted service. These designations are standard for artificial satellites, enabling international coordination in space operations.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report