# Starling 4

> satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q121073412](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q121073412)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/starling-4

## Summary
Starling 4 is an artificial satellite launched on July 18, 2023. It was deployed into orbit using an Electron launch vehicle from the Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1. The satellite is tracked under the COSPAR ID 2023-100A and Satellite Catalog Number 57386.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Starling 4 is an instance of an artificial satellite, defined as a human-made object put into orbit.
- **Launch Date:** July 18, 2023.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The satellite was launched aboard an Electron rocket, a two-stage orbital launch vehicle.
- **Launch Site:** Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.
- **COSPAR ID:** 2023-100A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 57386.
- **Source Verification:** Key details regarding the satellite's identity and launch are referenced from Wikidata (Q6272367).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Starling 4 launched?
A: Starling 4 was launched on July 18, 2023.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy Starling 4?
A: The satellite was launched using the Electron launch vehicle, a two-stage orbital rocket.

### Q: What is the international identifier for Starling 4?
A: The satellite is internationally identified by the COSPAR ID 2023-100A and the Satellite Catalog Number 57386.

## Why It Matters
Starling 4 represents a specific data point in the ongoing commercialization and population of low Earth orbit. As an artificial satellite deployed by the Electron launch vehicle, it exemplifies the increasing capability of private aerospace companies to place specialized assets into orbit. Its launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 highlights the operational role of dedicated commercial spaceports in expanding satellite infrastructure.

The precise tracking of Starling 4 via standardized systems like COSPAR and the Satellite Catalog Number is vital for space traffic management and orbital safety. By cataloging this object (SCN 57386), space agencies and researchers can accurately monitor orbital debris and satellite conjunctions. Its existence contributes to the broader dataset of human-made objects currently encircling the Earth, serving as a verifiable record of 2023's orbital launch activity.

## Notable For
- **Artificial Satellite Classification:** Identified as a human-made object successfully put into orbit.
- **Electron Launch Vehicle Deployment:** Utilized the specialized two-stage Electron rocket for orbital insertion.
- **2023 Launch Cycle:** Represents a distinct orbital deployment event occurring in mid-2023.
- **Unique Identifiers:** Assigned specific tracking codes (COSPAR 2023-100A and SCN 57386) that distinguish it from other space objects.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Starling 4 was successfully launched on July 18, 2023. The mission utilized the Electron launch vehicle, a two-stage orbital rocket designed for frequent and cost-effective access to space. The launch originated from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, a dedicated commercial launch site.

### Orbital Identification
Upon reaching orbit, Starling 4 was cataloged to ensure tracking and identification. It was assigned the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 57386, a sequential identifier used to track artificial objects in orbit. Additionally, it received the COSPAR International Designator 2023-100A, which encodes the year of launch and the sequence of the mission within that year.

### Technical Classification
Starling 4 is strictly classified as an artificial satellite. This categorization distinguishes it from natural celestial bodies and space debris, confirming it as a functional, human-made object placed into an orbital path around Earth.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report