Proton Rockets Carries XM-5 Satellite to Orbit

In an event that took place on October 16, a Russian ILS Proton rocket delivered a new American radio satellite into geostationary transfer orbit, from a space center in the Asian steppes.

The delivery system was operated by International Launch Services (ILS), which is a global leader in providing the commercial sector with mission and launch services.

SIRIUS XM Radio, an American satellite radio company, launched its XM-5 satellite aboard the four-stage rocket, which made it to its target orbit some 9 hours and 12 minutes after launch.

The Proton rocket took off from pad 24 at the Baikonour Cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, at around 18:53 GMT (12:53 am local time).

ILS and SIRIUS have been working together since 2000, when the space company first delivered a an XM radio satellite to orbit. The new launch was the fifth in this agreement.

The take-off also marked the 6th successful ILS commercial mission for this year, as well as the 9th successful launch of a Proton delivery system for 2010.

The event also marked the 360th launch of a Proton delivery system since its first flight in 1965, and the 62nd ILS Proton launch ever. The rocket can carry nearly six tons of payload to GTO.

Experts say that the XM-5 satellite was constructed on the flight proven Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform. The company was also the main contractor for building the spacecraft.

“The relationship we have with SIRIUS XM Radio dates back to over 10 years with the launch of the SIRIUS constellation of three satellites in 2000,” explains ILS President Frank McKenna.

“The entire team of ILS, Khrunichev, SIRIUS XM and Space Systems/Loral once again worked throughout the mission to deliver the XM-5 satellite to orbit,” he adds, quoted by SpaceRef.

“We thank SIRIUS XM for entrusting ILS Proton with their business and allowing us to participate in the making of satellite radio history,” the official goes on to say.

“The successful launch of XM-5 bolsters our continuity of services and will help ensure SIRIUS XM Radio's audio and data services are reliably delivered to our customers,” says David Frear.

“We knew we could count on ILS and Khrunichev to launch on-time and with flawless precision as they have been demonstrating for us for over a decade now,” he adds.

The official is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at SIRIUS XM Radio.