SpaceX Successfully Launches SiriusXM's SXM-7 Satellite

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://news.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n39888

Here is a new satellite being released by SiriusXM.

Maxar Technologies, SiriusXM and SpaceX, have announced that the SXM-7 satellite was successfully launched and is performing properly. SXM-7, a high-powered digital audio radio satellite, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday. Shortly afterward, SXM-7 deployed its solar arrays and began receiving and sending signals. Next, SXM-7 will begin firing its thrusters to commence its journey to its final geostationary orbit.

SXM-7 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-7 will deliver the highest power density of any commercial satellite on-orbit, sending more than 8,000 watts of content to the continental U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, increasing the power and reach of the signal for SiriusXM.

 

[Ai4i]

85º, 86º, 115º, or 116º?
I suppose they will eventually have these new birds at both an east longitude and a west one.

 

[Bill_W]

85º, 86º, 115º, or 116º?
I suppose they will eventually have these new birds at both an east longitude and a west one.

SXM-8, an identical satellite will launch next year. One will park over the east and the other over the west. I think SXM-7 is for the east because of the follow snippet from their press release:

"SXM-7 will provide continuous, reliable delivery of SiriusXM's audio entertainment and information services to consumers in the United States, and will expand SiriusXM's coverage area in Canada and the Caribbean, for years to come. SXM-7 will deliver the highest power density of any commercial satellite on-orbit, sending more than 8,000 watts of content to the continental U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, increasing the power and reach of the signal for SiriusXM."

The east coast satellite will have a better chance at hitting the Caribbean.

 

[Ai4i]

In case anyone is interested, here are the four footprints of some of the older birds:

85º XM-5 (aka Rythm)
(with a HUGE dish antenna aimed at the horizon,
hits most of Greenland and Iceland,
a tiny point of Ireland, northwestern Spain,
almost all of Portugal, and a little bit of Morroco)

115º XM-4 (aka Blues)
_ 86º FM-5 (Sirius)
116º FM-6 (Sirius)