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Long Beach CA (SPX) Oct 30, 2006 Sea Launch Company today successfully delivered the XM-4 broadcast satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Early data indicate the spacecraft is accurately positioned and in excellent condition. A Zenit-3SL vehicle lifted off at 3:49 pm Pacific Standard Time (23:49 GMT) from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned at 154 degrees West Longitude in the equatorial Pacific. All systems performed nominally throughout the flight. The Block DM upper stage inserted the 5,193 kg (11,448 lbs.) spacecraft into geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to final orbital position of 115 degrees West Longitude. A ground station at Hartebeesthoek, near Pretoria, South Africa, acquired the first signal from the satellite in orbit. Built by the Boeing Satellite Development Center, the Boeing 702 spacecraft carries a high-power S-band Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) payload provided by Alcatel Alenia Space. Like the three XM satellites currently in orbit, XM-4 will support XM Radio's direct broadcast of digital radio programming to cars, homes and portable radios throughout the continental United States and Canada. Following the completion of the XM-4 mission, Rob Peckham, president and general manager of Sea Launch, congratulated XM Satellite Radio. "Successfully launching this fourth satellite for XM Radio is extremely satisfying for Sea Launch. The success of the XM-4 mission reconfirms a strong and valuable relationship between two goal-oriented companies. We are proud to be XM Satellite Radio's launch service provider of choice." "I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Sea Launch team for another outstanding mission. Without the team's expertise and dedication to excellence, we could not have realized today's significant accomplishment." The XM-4 satellite will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on orbit. Specified for a 15-year lifespan, Sea Launch's direct insertion into equatorial orbit is designed to yield additional years of service life. This is Sea Launch's fourth successful launch for XM Satellite Radio, completing previous missions in March 2001, May 2001 and February 2005.
earlier related report Liftoff occurred this evening at 6:49 pm ET from the Sea Launch Odyssey Launch Platform in open waters of the Pacific Ocean on the equator. The XM-4 satellite was inserted directly into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, on its way to an orbital location for in-orbit testing prior to placement in its final orbital position at 115 degrees West Longitude. A ground station in South Africa acquired the first signal from the satellite in orbit as planned. Built by the Boeing Satellite Development Center, the XM-4 spacecraft carries a high-power S-band Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) payload provided by Alcatel Alenia Space. Replacing two co-located XM satellites currently at 115 degrees, XM-4 will transmit XM Radio's direct broadcast of digital radio programming to cars, homes, and portable radios throughout the continental United States and Canada. The XM-4 satellite will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on orbit. Specified for a 15-year lifespan, Sea Launch's accurate insertion into transfer orbit should provide additional years of service life. This is Sea Launch's fourth successful launch for XM Satellite Radio, completing previous missions in March 2001, May 2001, and February 2005. "The launch of the XM-4 satellite is the latest infrastructure milestone for the nation's leading satellite radio service," said John Dealy, Senior Advisor, XM Satellite Radio. "The XM satellites deliver the richest complement of entertainment content to the most subscribers in satellite radio. We commend the team of people at Sea Launch, Boeing Satellite, and XM for the dedicated work and expertise that have made this launch phase an unqualified success. "XM is now looking forward to similar results from the Boeing Satellite team during in-orbit test and commissioning of XM-4 for full service to the XM Nation of more than 7 million subscribers." Related Links XM Satellite Radio Sea Launch Integrated Defense Systems Launch Pad at Space-Travel.com
Russian Space Co. To Launch At Least 11 Satellites By 2009
Moscow, Russia (RIA) Oct 23, 2006A leading Russian space company said Monday it holds commercial orders for 11 satellite launches up to 2009. The director general of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Vladimir Nesterov, said Proton carrier rockets, which the center produces, account for some 30% of commercial launches on the global market. Proton rockets have orbited 41 foreign commercial spacecraft since 1996, he said. |
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