Sirius FM-3

Sirius FM-3
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorSirius
Sirius XM Radio
COSPAR ID2000-077A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.26626Edit this on Wikidata
Mission durationPlanned: 15 years; Achieved: 15-16 years
Spacecraft properties
BusLS-1300
ManufacturerLoral
Launch mass3,800 kilograms (8,400 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date30 November 2000 (2000-11-30)
RocketProton-K/DM3
Launch siteBaikonur 81/23
ContractorILS
End of mission
DisposalDisposal orbit
Deactivated2016 (2017)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeTundra

Sirius FM-3, also known as Radiosat 3, was an American communications satellite which was operated by Sirius XM Radio, previously Sirius Satellite Radio. It was constructed by Space Systems Loral and was based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. Launch occurred on 30 November 2000, at 19:59 GMT. The launch was contracted by International Launch Services, and used a Proton-K/DM3 carrier rocket flying from Site 81/23 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

It was operating in a tundra orbit, from where it provided satellite radio communications services to North America. It had an expected operational lifetime of 15 years.

In 2016, the satellite was decommissioned and moved into a disposal orbit.[1]

Animation of Sirius's orbit
Around the Earth
Earth fixed frame - Equatorial view
Earth fixed frame - Polar view
  Earth ·   Sirius FM-5 ·   Sirius FM-1  ·   Sirius FM-2  ·   Sirius FM-3

See also

References

  1. ^ Meyer, James E.; Frear, David J., eds. (2 February 2017). Sirius XM Holdings Inc. 10-K Feb. 2, 2017 11:57 AM. Seeking Alpha (Report). Sirius XM Holdings Inc.


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