# O3b FM23

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q56355092](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56355092)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/o3b-fm23

## Summary
O3b FM23 is a communications satellite in the O3b mPOWER system operated by SES S.A. It was manufactured by Boeing Defense, Space & Security on a Boeing 702 (BSS-702X) bus, has a mass of 1,700 kg, and was launched to medium Earth orbit on 2023-04-28 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 from Cape Canaveral SLC-40.

## Key Facts
- O3b FM23 is a communications satellite and an element of the O3b mPOWER communications satellite system.  
- Launch date and time: 2023-04-28 at 22:12 (UTC as provided).  
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5; associated booster identifiers listed as B1078 and B1078.2.  
- Operator: SES S.A.  
- Manufacturer: Boeing Defense, Space & Security.  
- Spacecraft bus: Boeing 702, stated as BSS-702X.  
- Mass: 1,700 kilogram.  
- Orbit type: medium Earth orbit.  
- COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID: 2023-059B.  
- Powered by: spacecraft solar array (quantity indicated as 2).  
- Country listed: United Kingdom.  
- Launch contractor: SpaceX.  
- Alternate names/aliases: O3b mPOWER 3; O3B MPOWER F3; O3BF03.  
- Internal/registry identifier (scn): 56368.

## FAQs
### Q: What is O3b FM23?
A: O3b FM23 is a communications satellite in the O3b mPOWER system operated by SES S.A., built by Boeing on a Boeing 702 (BSS-702X) bus and launched into medium Earth orbit on 2023-04-28.

### Q: Who built and operates O3b FM23?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Boeing Defense, Space & Security and is operated by SES S.A.

### Q: When and how was O3b FM23 launched?
A: O3b FM23 was launched on 2023-04-28 at 22:12 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (boosters B1078 / B1078.2).

### Q: What are its identifiers and basic specifications?
A: COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID are 2023-059B; mass is 1,700 kg; the spacecraft bus is Boeing 702 (BSS-702X); it is powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.

## Why It Matters
O3b FM23 is a purpose-built communications satellite that expands the O3b mPOWER constellation operated by SES S.A. As a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, it is part of a specialized system of spacecraft designed for telecommunications. Its construction on Boeing’s BSS-702X platform and a mass of 1,700 kg place it among modern, high-capability commercial communications satellites. The launch by SpaceX on a Falcon 9 Block 5 demonstrates use of current commercial launch services and reusable booster hardware for deploying telecommunications infrastructure. Being one node in the O3b mPOWER system, O3b FM23 contributes to SES’s fleet-level capabilities and the overall delivery of satellite-based telecommunications services operated from medium Earth orbit. The satellite’s official identifiers (COSPAR 2023-059B, NSSDCA 2023-059B) and listed aliases provide clear registry and catalog references for operators, regulators, and users tracking the asset.

## Notable For
- Component of the O3b mPOWER communications satellite system operated by SES S.A.  
- Built on the Boeing 702 spacecraft bus, stated as BSS-702X, by Boeing Defense, Space & Security.  
- Launched on 2023-04-28 by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 (boosters B1078 / B1078.2).  
- Registered under COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID 2023-059B and carries multiple aliases (O3b mPOWER 3; O3B MPOWER F3; O3BF03).  
- Mass of 1,700 kg and powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.

## Body
### Overview
- Name: O3b FM23.  
- Class: communications satellite.  
- Part of: O3b mPOWER communications satellite system.  
- Operator: SES S.A.  
- Country: United Kingdom (as listed).

### Design and Manufacture
- Manufacturer: Boeing Defense, Space & Security.  
- Spacecraft bus: Boeing 702, stated as BSS-702X.  
- Mass: 1,700 kg.  
- Power: spacecraft solar array; quantity indicated as 2.

### Launch
- Launch date: 2023-04-28.  
- Launch time (qualifier): 22:12.  
- Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- Launch vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5.  
- Booster identifiers associated with this launch: B1078 and B1078.2.  
- Launch contractor: SpaceX.  
- Significant event recorded: rocket launch from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 on 2023-04-28.

### Orbit and Mission
- Orbital regime listed: medium Earth orbit.  
- Mission type: communications (telecommunications).  
- COSPAR ID: 2023-059B.  
- NSSDCA ID: 2023-059B.

### Identifiers, Aliases, and Registries
- COSPAR ID / NSSDCA ID: 2023-059B.  
- SCN: 56368.  
- Aliases: O3b mPOWER 3; O3B MPOWER F3; O3BF03.  
- Wikipedia language link available: Portuguese (pt) as noted in the source.

### Program and Relationships
- Instance of: communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).  
- Part of program: O3b mPOWER.  
- Operator: SES S.A.; launch contractor: SpaceX.  
- Manufacturer: Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/o3b-mpower1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. SATCAT