# Sirius FM-6

> satellite radio communications satellite operated by SiriusXM

**Wikidata**: [Q4420782](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4420782)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sirius-fm-6

## Summary
Sirius FM-6 is a communications satellite operated by SiriusXM, launched on October 25, 2013, to provide satellite radio services across North America. It is part of a fleet of satellites supporting SiriusXM's radio broadcasting network and has a designed service life of 15 years.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 25, 2013, at 18:08:54 UTC.
- **Operator**: SiriusXM, a U.S.-based satellite radio company.
- **Manufacturer**: Lanteris Space Systems (United States).
- **Mass**: 6,003 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-M rocket (Briz-M upper stage) from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2013-058A.
- **Preceded By**: Sirius FM-5; **Followed By**: SXM-7 (which later failed).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary.
- **Propulsion**: 2 R-4D engines and 4 SPT-100 thrusters, powered by solar arrays.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Sirius FM-6 launched?
A: Sirius FM-6 was launched on October 25, 2013, at 18:08:54 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What is the purpose of Sirius FM-6?
A: The satellite provides radio broadcasting services for SiriusXM, delivering channels to subscribers across North America.

### Q: How long was Sirius FM-6 designed to operate?
A: It was designed for a 15-year service life, ensuring long-term support for SiriusXM's network.

## Why It Matters
Sirius FM-6 plays a critical role in SiriusXM's satellite radio infrastructure, enabling uninterrupted music, news, and entertainment services to millions of subscribers. As part of a constellation of satellites, it ensures wide coverage across North America, including areas with limited terrestrial radio access. Its successful launch and operation underscore its importance in maintaining SiriusXM's service reliability, especially given the later failure of its successor, SXM-7. With a 15-year design life, Sirius FM-6 represents a significant investment in long-term satellite communications technology.

## Notable For
- **Launch Vehicle**: Deployed via a Russian Proton-M rocket with a Briz-M upper stage, highlighting international collaboration in space launches.
- **Propulsion System**: Utilizes a combination of R-4D engines and SPT-100 thrusters, with power from dual solar arrays.
- **Geostationary Role**: Operates in a fixed orbital position, ensuring continuous coverage of North America.
- **Legacy**: Remains operational despite the failure of its successor, SXM-7, emphasizing its reliability.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: October 25, 2013, at 18:08:54 UTC.
- **Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 (Kazakhstan).
- **Rocket**: Proton-M (Briz-M upper stage, serial number 935-35).

### Technical Specifications
- **Bus**: Lanteris 1300 spacecraft platform.
- **Mass**: 6,003 kg at launch.
- **Power**: 2 solar arrays with 2 R-4D engines and 4 SPT-100 thrusters.
- **Design Life**: 15 years.

### Mission
- **Purpose**: Broadcast SiriusXM radio channels to North America.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary, maintaining a fixed position over the equator.
- **Predecessor**: Sirius FM-5; **Successor**: SXM-7 (launched in 2020 but failed shortly after).

### Legacy
- **Operational Status**: Active as of the last update, contributing to SiriusXM's network redundancy.
- **Significance**: Demonstrates the reliance of satellite radio services on long-lived, high-power geostationary satellites.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "Sirius FM-6",
  "description": "Satellite radio communications satellite operated by SiriusXM",
  "url": "https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sirius-cdr-6.htm",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456789",  // Hypothetical Wikidata URL
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_FM-6"  // Hypothetical Wikipedia URL
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Lanteris Space Systems",
  "operator": "Sirius XM",
  "launchDate": "2013-10-25",
  "mass": "6003 kg",
  "orbit": "geostationary orbit"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sirius-cdr-6.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report