SXM-8 Launch Campaign Thread
#SiriusXM SXM-8
SpaceX will launch the second of two next generation high power S-band broadcast satellites for SiriusXM. The spacecraft will be delivered into a geostationary transfer orbit and the booster will be recovered downrange. The spacecraft is built by Space Systems Loral (SSL) on the SSL 1300 platform and includes two solar arrays producing 20kW, and an unfurlable antenna dish. SXM-8 was originally intended to replace XM-4 in geostationary orbit at 115.25° west longitude, however following the loss of SXM-7, this satellite will now take it's place at 85.15° W, replacing XM-3.
| Launch scheduled for: | June 6 04:26 UTC (12:26 AM EDT), ~2 hour window |
|---|---|
| Backup date | typically next day |
| Static fire | Completed June 3 |
| Customer | SiriusXM |
| Payload | SXM-8 |
| Payload mass | ~7000 kg |
| Deployment orbit | GTO, sub-synchronous |
| Operational orbit | GEO, 85.15° W |
| Vehicle | Falcon 9 v1.2 Block 5 |
| Core | B1061 |
| Past flights of this core | 2 (Crew-1, Crew-2) |
| Past flights of this fairing | unknown |
| Launch site | SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida |
| Landing | ASDS, 28.41472 N, 74.02083 W (~641 km downrange) |
News & Updates
| Date | Update | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-03 | GO Searcher and GO Navigator departures | @SpaceXFleet on Twitter |
| 2021-06-03 | Static fire | @SpaceflightNow on Twitter |
| 2021-06-02 | JRTI departure | @SpaceXFleet on Twitter |
| 2021-05-06 | SXM-8 Arrives at Launch Base | Maxar.com |
| 2020-12-13 | Launch of SXM-7 | SpaceX on YouTube |
| 2016-07-28 | Space Systems Loral (Maxar Technologies) selected to build SXM-7, 8 | Press Release at Maxar.com |
Links & Resources
- General Launch Related Resources:
- Launch Execution Forecasts - 45th Weather Squadron
- SpaceX Fleet Status - SpaceXFleet.com
- Launch Viewing Resources:
- Launch Viewing Guide for Cape Canaveral - Ben Cooper
- Launch Viewing Map - Launch Rats
- Launch Viewing Updates - Space Coast Launch Ambassadors
- Viewing and Rideshare - SpaceXMeetups Slack
- Watching a Launch - r/SpaceX Wiki
- Maps and Hazard Area Resources:
- Detailed launch maps - @Raul74Cz
- Launch Hazard and Airspace Closure Maps - 45th Space Wing (maps posted close to launch)
- Regulatory Resources:
- FCC Experimental STAs - r/SpaceX wiki
We will attempt to keep the above text regularly updated with resources and new mission information, but for the most part, updates will appear in the comments first. Feel free to ping us if additions or corrections are needed. This is a great place to discuss the launch, ask mission-specific questions, and track the minor movements of the vehicle, payload, weather, and more as we progress towards launch. Approximately 24 hours before liftoff, the launch thread will go live and the party will begin there.
Campaign threads are not launch threads. Normal subreddit rules still apply.
Posted May 11, 2021, 1:29 AM UTC · edited