spacetoday.net: Sirius to buy GEO satellite from Loral

Posted: Thu, Jun 8, 2006, 1:56 PM ET (1756 GMT)
SS/Loral 1300 satellite illustration (SS/Loral)

Sirius Satellite Radio announced Thursday that it was buying a new satellite from Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a spacecraft that the company may use to provide video services. SS/L will build the Sirius FM-5 satellite, a "high-power" 130-series spacecraft, for delivery in 2008. The spacecraft will be able to generate over 20 kilowatts of power and will be equipped with a number of advanced technologies, including an unfurlable 9-meter antenna. The total cost of the spacecraft, including insurance and launch on a previously-ordered Proton rocket, is $260 million; Loral will provide a $100-million vendor financing facility, although Sirius said in a statement it didn't currently plan to draw on that facility. Unlike Sirius' existing three SS/L-built satellites, which operate in high elliptical orbits, FM-5 will be placed in GEO. Sirius has a fourth satellite that is a ground spare, and the company has no current plans to launch it. Industry officials speculate that this spacecraft may be used by Sirius, a satellite radio operator, to move into the video market.