RESTON, Va. – Sirius Satellite Radio, the satellite radio broadcaster, today announced the successful launch of its first satellite, Sirius-1. Lift-off occurred on Friday, June 30 at 6:08 p.m. EDT. Sirius Satellite Control successfully established a communications link with Sirius-1 at 8:33 p.m. EDT and deployed the satellite’s solar panels by approximately 11:55 p.m. EDT. Sirius-1 is the first satellite ever designed to deliver satellite radio broadcasts to the United States. Beginning at the end of this year, Sirius will deliver 50 channels of commercial-free music and up to 50 channels of news, sports and information seamlessly across the continental U.S. for a monthly subscription of $9.95. The other two satellites in Sirius’ three-satellite constellation are scheduled to be launched and tested by November.
“Satellite radio is a reality,” said Sirius chairman and chief executive, David Margolese. “The deployment of Sirius-1 means that within weeks we will be able to verify the fundamental capabilities of our system, including a coast-to-coast signal and digital-quality sound.”
Sirius-1 was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Proton/Block DM launch vehicle. “This mission was an unqualified success and ILS is proud to have launched the first Sirius satellite,” said Dr. Mark J. Albrecht, President of International Launch Services (ILS). “We look forward to the next two launches, helping Sirius become the first digital satellite radio broadcaster in the United States.”
Video footage of the successful Sirius-1 launch, along with a mission profile and animation of satellite separation and deployment can be viewed on the Sirius website at www.siriusradio.com.
Sirius Satellite Radio is building a digital satellite radio system to provide radio like it’s never been heard before. Sirius’ 50 commercial-free music channels will all be programmed and created by renowned experts in each of the musical genres at the company’s National Broadcast Studio in Rockefeller Center. Sirius’ music will feature a wide and deep range of Rock, Pop, Jazz, Classical and virtually every other music format. Artists including Sting, Grandmaster Flash, MC Lyte and others will have regularly scheduled programs on Sirius. Sirius will complement its music through partnerships with organizations like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Symphony Orchestra. Sirius also has partnerships with PlaybillÆ magazine and Live BroadwayÆ to create specials and live programming for Sirius Radio’s “Broadway’s Best” channel, the country’s first-ever around-the-clock nationwide showcase for Broadway music and entertainment.
Sirius Radio will also deliver up to 50 channels of brand name news, sports and information such as CNBC, National Public Radio, SCI FI Channel, Classic Radio and the BBC.
Sirius Radio receivers will be available starting in 2001. Sirius has alliances to install Sirius receivers in BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, JeepÆ, Mazda, Mercedes, and Volvo automobiles as well as Freightliner and Sterling heavy trucks. In addition, Sirius has alliances with automotive electronics manufacturers to bring receivers to the automotive aftermarket and for installation in new cars. These companies include Alpine, Audiovox, Clarion, Delphi Delco Electronics, Jensen, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sanyo and Visteon.
Headquartered in Reston, VA, USA, International Launch Services is a joint venture stock company established in 1995 to jointly market the Russian-built Proton and the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas to the worldwide satellite launch market. The company currently offers the broadest range of launcher products in the world along with the highest reliability in the industry. ILS is owned by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services (LMCLS) and the Lockheed Khrunichev Energia International (LKEI) joint venture.
