SpaceX Launches SiriusXM's Second New Satellite, Marks Over Two-Decade Partnership

Strategic Insights -

SpaceX successfully launched SiriusXM's second new satellite, SXM-10, into orbit from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station early Saturday morning, marking another milestone in the over two-decade partnership between the two companies. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:54 a.m. EDT and deployed the 4,100-pound satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit approximately 33 minutes later. This is the eighth flight for the Falcon 9 booster, including a Crew-9 and three Starlink missions. The launch was initially delayed five times due to weather concerns, including a lightning warning for the area on Friday.

Key Takeaways:

  • SpaceX launched the SXM-10 satellite, marking the eighth flight for the Falcon 9 booster, which has previously flown on Crew-9 and three Starlink missions.
  • The SXM-10 satellite was built by Maxar Space Systems and weighs 4,100 pounds, measuring 10 feet long and 9.5 feet in diameter.
  • The satellite will beam radio and internet programming for SiriusXM's subscribers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
  • SiriusXM will have seven functional satellites when the SXM-10 becomes operational, marking a significant milestone in their satellite radio network.
  • SpaceX has launched 48 orbital rockets from Cape Canaveral or nearby Kennedy Space Center in 2025, and a total of 69 Falcon 9 missions with 51 involving Starlink.
  • Maxar Space Systems built both the SXM-8 and SXM-9 satellites, and SiriusXM is planning to launch two more satellites in the future.
  • Axiom Space and SpaceX are planning to launch the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, with coverage starting at 6:15 a.m. and NASA coverage starting at 7:25 a.m.

Statistics:

  • The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 12:54 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
  • The first-stage booster landed on SpaceX's drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 8 minutes and 30 seconds after launch.
  • The SXM-10 satellite weighs 4,100 pounds and measures 10 feet long and 9.5 feet in diameter.
  • SpaceX has launched 48 orbital rockets from Cape Canaveral or nearby Kennedy Space Center in 2025.
  • A total of 69 Falcon 9 missions have been launched this year, with 51 involving Starlink.
  • Maxar Space Systems built both the SXM-8 and SXM-9 satellites, and SiriusXM is planning to launch two more satellites in the future.

Sources:

  • UPI, "SpaceX launches SiriusXM's second new satellite into orbit"
  • Space.com, "SpaceX's 48th orbital rocket launch of the year from Cape Canaveral or nearby Kennedy Space Center"
  • Florida Today, "Lightning warning for the area on Friday"
  • Maxar, "This latest satellite marks another milestone in our over two-decade partnership with SiriusXM"
  • SiriusXM, quoted Bridget Neville, senior vice president and general manager of Signal Distribution Engineering
  • Axiom Space, "Fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station"