XM Radio 3

Launch data: Designation  28626 / 05008A Launch date  01 Mar 2005 - 03:51 UT Launch site  Odyssey, PO Launch vehicle  Zenit-3SL Mission  Communication Geostationary orbit on 12 Mar - 02:24 UT: Perigee / Apogee  35776 x 35793 km Inclination  0.08° Period  1435.99 min

Description:

• XM 3 (Rhythm) is a digital broadcast satellite.

• Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc., now Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., and XM Satellite Radio Inc. (XMTM) signed a contract March 23, 1998, for two BSS-702 model satellites, named "Rock" and "Roll". These satellites are designed to provide state-of-the-art digital audio radio programming directly to cars, homes and portable radios coast to coast. The contract, amended in June 1998, calls for Boeing to deliver the high-power satellites in geosynchronous orbit, using the Sea Launch vehicle. XM also has ordered long-lead parts for a spare satellite.
• These satellites are among the most powerful ordered to date. Each is designed to provide 18 kilowatts of total power at beginning of life. To generate such high power, the two solar wings employ five panels each of high-efficiency, dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. To provide 15 years' service, the BSS-702 carries the flight-proven xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for all on-orbit maneuvering. Alcatel Espace of Toulouse, France, will provide the high-power, S-band, Digital Audio Radio Service payload.
• XM 3 has redesigned solar arrays, as the original concentrator arrays have a fogging problem reducing the performance. XM 4 has also a back-up bi-propellant system for the XIPS thrusters.
• 130 channels of digital music uplinked in the X-band from one or more ground stations.

Satellite tracking: