Sirius FM6 (Radiosat 6) [SSL]
Official name SIRIUS FM-6
Alternative name Sirius FM-6 (Radiosat 6)
Cospar ID 2013-058A
Norad ID 39360
Launch date 2013-10-25
Launch site TTMTR
Launch vehicle Proton-M Briz-M (Ph.3)
Country/Organization USA
Type application Communication (Direct radio broadcasting)
Operator Sirius Satellite Radio
RCS size LARGE
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 1436.11
Inclination (deg) 0.02
Perigee (km) 35781
Apogee (km) 35793
Eccentricity 0.000167658646994719
Mean motion (revs. per day) 1.00270870615761
Semi-Major axis (km) 42165.135
Raan (deg) 320.397
Arg of perigee (deg) 187.0874
Shape Box + 2 Pan
Mass (kg) 6005
Height (m) 5.2
Width (m) 5.6
Depth (m) 5.6
Span (m^2) 24.8
Lifetime 15 years
Contractors Space Systems/Loral (SS/L)
Equipment 1 X/S-band transponder
Propulsion R-4D, 4 × SPT-100 plasma thrusters
Configuration SSL-1300
Power 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and Sirius Satellite Radio announced in August 2007 that SS/L has been awarded a contract from Sirius to build Sirius FM-6, a new, high-power satellite designed to operate in a highly inclined elliptical orbit (HIEO). This satellite is the sixth SS/L-built spacecraft in the Sirius fleet.

Sirius FM-6 provides nearly double the power of the satellites in Sirius' existing first-generation in-orbit HIEO constellation, continuing to improve service for Sirius subscribers. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the new satellite provides more than 15 years of service life.

The spacecraft design is mostly identical to Sirius FM-5, but is designed to broadcast both in the Sirius and the XM frequencies.

It was originally to replace the Sirius FM-1 and FM-2 satellites, which would have reduced the HIEO-constellation from three to two satellites, but it was later decided, that FM-6 would also be placed into the geostationary orbit at 116.15° west.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
SIRIUS FM-6 2013-058A 2013-10-25 TTMTR Proton-M Briz-M (Ph.3)