Boeing-Built XM-1 Satellite Ready for Launch
First there was AM.
Then there was FM. And now … XM Satellite Radio.
The XM-1 spacecraft was built for XM Satellite Radio Inc.,
Washington, D.C., by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSS), a unit of
The Boeing Company .
The XM-1 satellite — designated as “Roll” — is scheduled to
launch on Jan. 8, 2001, from the Sea Launch floating launch platform
near the equator. The 37.5-minute launch window opens at 2:35 p.m.
PST, (5:35 p.m. EST and 22:35 GMT).
This will be the first of two BSS satellites launched for XM
Satellite Radio Inc., and BSS’ first launch of the New Year. The
second satellite — designated “Rock” — is scheduled to launch in
March.
“Boeing is excited to participate in the historic inauguration of
XM Satellite Radio,” stated Tig H. Krekel, President of Boeing
Satellite Systems. “Boeing is building both ‘Rock’ and ‘Roll.’ Each
satellite has the same coast-to-coast footprint, which will ensure
maximum signal and system reliability to each XM Satellite Radio
user,” Krekel added.
XM’s satellites are Boeing 702 satellites, the most powerful
commercial satellites ever manufactured. Together, the two XM
spacecraft will deliver up to 100 channels of crystal-clear,
digital-quality music, news and information to cars, homes and other
listening environments equipped with a small antenna. Each will
provide 18 kilowatts of total power at beginning of life.
“We look forward to the successful launch and deployment of XM’s
‘Roll’ satellite,” said Hugh Panero, President and Chief Executive
Officer of XM Satellite Radio Inc. “By using ‘Rock’ and ‘Roll’
satellites together, they will provide state-of-the art digital audio
radio programming directly to cars, homes and portable radios coast to
coast. This will revolutionize the way America listens to the radio in
the next millennium,” Panero added.
To generate such high 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.
To provide 15 years’ service, the Boeing 702 carries the flight-proven
xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for all on-orbit maneuvering.
The XM Roll satellite carries a 13.3-kilowatt digital audio radio
payload built by French aerospace leader Alcatel Space Industries. It
features two active transponders, each with 16 active (and six spare)
228-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers generating approximately 3,000
watts of RF power, making these the most powerful commercial
transponders ever built. The satellite will operate in geosynchronous
orbit at 85 degrees west longitude. The satellite has two 16.4-foot
folding deployable S-band transmit reflectors and one X-band global
receive antenna. When fully deployed, the solar wings span 132.5 feet
and the antennas to 46.6 feet. The payload weighs approximately 9,800
pounds at launch and 6,500 pounds in orbit.
XM Satellite Radio Inc. is licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission to provide Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service in the
United States. Its strategic partners include Clear Channel
Communications Inc.; DIRECTV Inc.; the General Motors Corporation;
and Motion Corporation.
Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer
of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major provider
of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense,
science and environmental applications. The company was formed in
October 2000 when Boeing acquired the Hughes Electronics satellite
manufacturing companies, which included Hughes Space and
Communications Company, Hughes Electron Dynamics, Spectrolab Inc.,
and Hughes Electronics’ 50 percent share of HRL Laboratories.
The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest
aerospace company in the world and the United States’ leading
exporter. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial
jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The
company’s capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft,
electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch
vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The
company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries
and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and
Australia.
Note to editors: Sea Launch will provide a live satellite
broadcast and simultaneous Webcast of the launch on Jan. 8, beginning
2:15 p.m. Pacific Time. The program will include a live video
transmission from the equator and commentary from Sea Launch Home
Port. Viewers in the United States may view the launch in NTSC on: GE
3C – Transponder 12 C-band Analog; Orbital Position: 87 degrees;
Downlink Frequency is 3940 MHz (V); Audio Redundant 6.2 & 6.8.
Left photo: “ROLL” PREPARES FOR LAUNCH – A Boeing Satellite Systems technician is dwarfed by
the massive XM-1, a 13.3-kW Boeing 702 model spacecraft being built for XM Satellite Radio, Inc.,
Washington, D.C. XM’s satellites – officially named “Rock” and “Roll” — are Boeing 702 satellites, the
most powerful commercial satellites ever manufactured. Together, the two XM spacecraft will deliver up to
100 channels of digital-quality music, news and information to cars, homes and other listening
environments. Each spacecraft will provide 18 kilowatts of total power at beginning of life.
Center photo: STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY – “Roll,” a powerful Boeing 702 satellite built for
XM Satellite Radio, Inc., is scheduled to launch on Jan 8, 2001 from the Sea Launch floating launch platform near the equator. Roll is the first of two satellites built
for XM Satellite Radio Inc., Washington D.C., by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS), a unit of The Boeing Company, (NYSE: BA). This will be the first of two
BSS satellites launched for XM Satellite Radio, Inc., and BSS’ first launch of the New Year. The second satellite is scheduled to launch in March.
Right photo: NEXT GENERATION DIGITAL RADIO – “Roll,” a powerful Boeing 702 satellite built for XM Satellite Radio, Inc., is shown prior to shipment to a
Sea Launch floating launch platform near the equator. Roll carries a 13.3-kilowatt digital audio radio payload built by French aerospace leader Alcatel Space
Industries. It features two active transponders, each with 16 active (and six spare) 228-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers generating approximately 3,000 watts of RF
power, making these the most powerful commercial transponders ever built. The powerful satellite will operate in geosynchronous orbit at 85 degrees West longitude.
The satellite has two 16.4 ft folding deployable S-band transmit reflectors and one X-band global receiver antenna. When fully deployed, the solar wings span 132.5
feet and the antennas to 46.6 feet. The payload weighs approximately 9,800 pounds at launch and 6,500 pounds in orbit.
