Space Systems/Loral said this week that its latest satellite for Sirius XM Satellite Radio is performing post-launch maneuvers in its geosynchronous orbit according to plan.
The XM-5 satellite’s solar arrays have deployed on schedule, following last week’s launch from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. International Launch Services provided the Proton Breeze M rocket.
Sirius XM Co-founder and Technical Executive Rob Briskman said it’s the sixth satellite that Space Systems/Loral has built for the satcaster and the second to be delivered to geostationary orbit.
XM-5, a 20-kW satellite intended to serve as an in-orbit spare, will be tested in a temporary orbital location before shifting to its permanent orbital slot.
