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SXM 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

SXM 7 [Maxar]

SXM 7 to 12 are the third generation of large high power broadcasting satellites for SiriusXM's digital audio radio service (DARS).

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), now Maxar Technologies, got in July 2016 the contract to build the two satellites based on their SSL-1300 bus. Both SXM-7 and SXM-8 will operate in the S-band spectrum. Each satellite will generate more than 20-kW of power and will have a large unfurlable antenna reflector, which enables broadcast to radios without the need for large dish-type antennas on the ground.

The satellites will replace the XM 3 and 4 satellites.

SXM 7 was launched in December 2020 and successfully reached geostationary orbit. But after 6 weeks during initial testing a payload failure occured. The satellite was declared a total loss in February 2021. SXM 7 has a secondary payload that is functioning for a separate service.

SXM 8 was launched in June 2021.

SXM 9 was ordered in August 2021 as a replacement for the failed SXM 7.

SXM 10 was ordered also in August 2021.

SXM 11 and SXM 12 were ordered in November 2022.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: SiriusXM
Contractors: Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) → Maxar Technologies
Equipment: S-Band transponders
Configuration: SSL-1300
Propulsion: R-4D-15 HiPAT, 4 × SPT-100 plasma thrusters
Power: 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 15 years
Mass: ~7000 kg
Orbit: GEO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
SXM 7 2020-096A 13.12.2020 CC SLC-40 Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5)
SXM 8 2021-049A 06.06.2021 CC SLC-40 Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5)
SXM 9 - 2024
SXM 10 - 202x
SXM 11 - 202x
SXM 12 - 202x

References:

Further XM missions:
Further Sirius (Radiosat) missions:

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