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SiriusXM's New SXM-8 Satellite Now Ready for Service
RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, July 29, 2021 |
SiriusXM and Maxar Technologies have announced that the SXM-8 satellite has completed in-orbit testing and has been handed over to SiriusXM. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the satellite into space on June 6 from Cape Canaveral, FL. SXM-8 is the ninth digital, audio radio satellite built by Maxar for SiriusXM.
Built on Maxar's 1300-class platform and designed to provide more than 15 years of service, SXM-8 is more than 27-feet tall and weighed nearly 7,000 kg at launch. SXM-8 has a large, mesh, unfurlable reflector almost 30-feet in diameter that will allow SiriusXM programming to reach its radios, including those in moving vehicles.
"We are proud of our long-standing relationship with SiriusXM and excited to see SXM-8 ready for service to bring entertainment to millions of SiriusXM subscribers," said Maxar Senior Vice President of Space Programs Delivery Chris Johnson. "The entire Maxar team is committed to excellence, and playing a role in the success of our customers' missions is what drives us every day."
"We are committed to enhancing our satellite fleet and ability to deliver the best audio entertainment, traffic, weather, data and information services for years to come," said SiriusXM Senior Vice President of Satellite and Repeater Systems Engineering and Operations Bridget Neville. "We congratulate our engineering team, Maxar and SpaceX on a successful launch and commissioning."
SXM-8 will provide continuous, reliable delivery of SiriusXM's audio entertainment and information services to consumers in the U.S. and will expand SiriusXM's coverage area in Canada and the Caribbean. SXM-8 will extend the health of SiriusXM's satellite fleet and its satellite-delivered services through at least 2036.
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