Second Boeing-built XM Satellite at Sea, Ready for Launch

SPACEMART

A Boeing Satellite Systems technician is dwarfed by the massive XM-1, the second of two Boeing 702-model spacecraft to be launched for XM Satellite Radio, Inc., Washington, D.C. The first was launched March 18 aboard a Sea launch booster. XM's satellites - which are named "Rock" and "Roll" - will together deliver up to 100 channels of digital-quality music, news and information radio programming to XM radios across the United States.

Los Angeles - May 1, 2001
An official launch date and time have been set for XM "Roll," the second of two powerful Boeing 702-model spacecraft built for XM Satellite Radio Inc. by Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS), a unit of Boeing.

With the Sea Launch ocean platform well on its way to its launch site on the equator, XM "Roll" is officially scheduled to launch on May 8, with the 45-minute launch window opening at 3:10 p.m. PDT (6:10 p.m. EDT and 10:10 p.m. GMT). The Sea Launch platform left its Long Beach home port on April 25.

The launch of Roll will come less than two months after its twin, dubbed "Rock," was successfully launched March 18, also by Sea Launch. Roll will operate in geosynchronous orbit at 85 degrees West longitude; Rock is stationed at 115 degrees West longitude.

"Boeing is proud to deliver the second half of the XM Satellite Radio space segment," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems.

"Just as our technology once helped kick off digital direct-to-home television in the United States, these two Boeing 702 spacecraft will enable XM to deliver an exciting new kind of radio programming to subscribers across the country. Long live Rock and Roll."

Each of XM's satellites is designed to provide 18 kilowatts of total spacecraft power at beginning of life. To generate spacecraft power, each of the satellite's two solar wings employ five panels of high-efficiency, dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells developed by Spectrolab, another Boeing company. When fully deployed, the solar wings span 132.5 feet and the antennas extend to 46.6 feet.

Together, the two spacecraft will deliver 100 channels of crystal-clear, digital-quality music, news and information programming to XM radios across the United States.

The XM spacecraft carry a unique digital audio radio payload built by Alcatel Space Industries. The payload features two active transponders, each with 16 active (and six spare) 228-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers generating approximately 3,000 watts of RF signal power, making these the most powerful commercial transponders ever built.

"This is truly an exciting time for XM Satellite Radio, and for all radio listeners throughout the country," said Hugh Panero, president and chief executive officer of XM Satellite Radio.

"With one powerful satellite in orbit and the second one ready to launch, plus our new Broadcast Center, XM chips in production and XM-ready radios on retail shelves, we are within months of inaugurating our revolutionary nationwide digital audio radio programming."

The spacecraft will weigh approximately 9,800 pounds at launch and 6,500 pounds in orbit. It has two 16.4-foot folding deployable S-band transmit reflectors and one X-band global receive antenna.

To provide 15 years' service, the Boeing 702 carries the flight-proven xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for all on-orbit maneuvering. The XIPS were built by Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices Inc.

XM will transform radio, an industry that has seen little technological change since FM, almost 40 years ago. XM will create and package up to 100 channels of digital-quality sound and provide coast-to-coast coverage of music, news, sports, talk, comedy and children's programming.

XM-ready radios are being manufactured by such household names as Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion, Blaupunkt, Delphi-Delco, Visteon, Panasonic and Sanyo; and are available for sale by retailers including Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears, RadioShack franchisee dealer stores and Crutchfield.

Boeing Satellite Systems will provide simultaneous Webcast of the launch beginning 2:50 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on the launch day.

SPACEMART

Sea Launch Lofts XM Radio Bird

Long Beach - March 18, 2001
Sea Launch successfully boosted the first satellite of the XM Satellite Radio network, XM "Rock" at 2:33 pm PST from the Sea Launch platform in equatorial waters of the Pacific Ocean. The first signals from the satellite were captured by a ground station in Australia at 6:43 pm EST as planned.

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