SpaceX successfully launched the SXM-10 satellite for SiriusXM on June 7, 2024, further expanding the company's radio broadcasting capabilities. The launch occurred from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, representing another successful mission for SpaceX.
The Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the SXM-10, lifted off early Saturday morning at 12:54 a.m. EDT. The first stage of the rocket successfully landed on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrating SpaceX's continued commitment to reusability.
This mission highlights SpaceX's reusability, as the booster had previously been used in multiple launches. The upper stage of the Falcon 9 deployed the SXM-10 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite was built by Maxar Technologies.
The SXM-10 satellite, built by Maxar Technologies, weighs approximately 14,100 pounds (6,400 kilograms). It is designed to enhance SiriusXM's radio broadcasting capacity by joining its existing constellation of satellites. This launch was SpaceX's second for SiriusXM, following the launch of SXM-7 in December 2020. SXM-10 is expected to provide enhanced coverage and improved signal quality for SiriusXM subscribers.
SpaceX maintains a strong presence in the launch market, with numerous Falcon 9 missions throughout the year. A significant portion of these missions are dedicated to the Starlink broadband megaconstellation, further solidifying SpaceX's role in space exploration and satellite deployment. The launch of SXM-10 underscores SpaceX's ongoing contributions to both commercial and scientific endeavors in space.