
Sirius FM1 (Radiosat 1) [SSL]
Sirius Satellite Radio (previously known as CD Radio) is a satellite constellation to provide digital radio to mobile receivers in north America.
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) is designing and building four satellites called Sirius FM1 to FM 4 for CD Radio Inc., which is developing a new satellite-to-car, CD-quality, radio broadcast system for the continental United States. The contract called for SS/L to deliver the high-powered, digital audio radio service (DARS) satellites for launch in 2000.
Motorists in cars and trucks equipped with CD Radio's revolutionary new antenna – the size of a silver dollar – will be able to receive broadcasts anywhere in the continental U.S. virtually without distortion. Signals will be transmitted via a new radio band, the S-band (2320-2332.5 MHz). The DARS satellites will be a new generation of SS/L's space-proven LS-1300 bus.
The Sirius Satellite Radio is the first constellation, which operates in an elliptical 24 h orbit ranging from a perigee of 23975 km to an apogee of 46983 km, inclined at 63.4 degrees (Tundra orbit) to provide higher angles of elevation in the northern areas of north America.
The fourth satellite is a ground spare.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Communication (Direct radio broadcasting) |
| Operator: | Sirius Satellite Radio (ex CD-Radio) |
| Contractors: | Space Systems Loral (SSL) |
| Equipment: | 1 X/S-band transponder |
| Configuration: | LS-1300 |
| Propulsion: | ? |
| Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 3800 kg |
| Orbit: | 23975 km × 46983 km, 63.4° |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sirius FM1 (Radiosat 1) | 30.06.2000 | TB LC-81/24 | Proton-K Blok-DM3 | ||
| Sirius FM2 (Radiosat 2) | 05.09.2000 | TB LC-81/23 | Proton-K Blok-DM3 | ||
| Sirius FM3 (Radiosat 3) | 30.11.2000 | TB LC-81/23 | Proton-K Blok-DM3 | ||
| Sirius FM4 (Radiosat 4) |