XM Satellite ‘Rock’ Begins Broadcasting; ‘Roll’ in Terrific Health After May 8 Launch
XM Satellite Radio’s
first satellite, “Rock,” has been formally handed over to XM by Boeing
Satellite Systems and has begun broadcasting, while XM’s second satellite,
“Roll,” is also in terrific health after a bullseye May 8 launch.
XM’s
constellation is now complete.
XM took possession of Rock Tuesday evening, after the spacecraft completed
in-orbit testing.
The satellite, launched March 18, is performing beyond
expectations and has begun broadcasting XM’s channels as part of the
preparation for XM’s commercial launch later this summer.
Rock has reached its final position in geostationary orbit at 115 degrees
West Longitude.
Roll launched from 154 degrees West Longitude and will take a
final position at 85 degrees West Longitude.
By using two powerful
satellites, each with the same nationwide coverage, XM will ensure maximum
signal and system reliability.
“Roll is following in the footsteps of its twin as it moves from
geosynchronous transfer to geostationary orbit,” said Derek de Bastos, XM’s
Vice President, Space Segment.
All three XM satellites — “Rock,” “Roll,” and a spare which is built and
in its final testing phase — are Boeing 702 models, manufactured by industry
leader Boeing Satellite Systems, a unit of the Boeing Company.
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 it the most powerful
commercial satellite ever built.
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 won several
awards at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, including
“Best of CES” in the automotive category.
XM’s strategic investors include America’s leading car, radio and
satellite TV companies — General Motors, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Clear
Channel Communications, DIRECTV and Motient Corporation.
XM has a long-term
distribution agreement with General Motors to integrate XM radios into its
vehicles commencing in 2001.
XM-ready radios are being manufactured by such
household names as Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion, Blaupunkt, Delphi-Delco,
Visteon, Panasonic, and Sanyo.
For more information, please visit the web
site: http://www.xmradio.com .
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements in this press release include uncertainties
associated with the launch of the company’s satellites, the company’s
dependence on third party vendors, its continuing need for additional
financing, as well as other risks described in XM Satellite Radio Holdings
Inc.’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Feb. 22,
2001.
Copies of the filing are available upon request from XM Radio’s
Investor Relations Department.
