A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, successfully delivering SiriusXM’s SXM-11 satellite to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The launch occurred at 10:25 p.m. EDT (0225 UTC) on June 28, 2026, marking the beginning of a four-hour launch window.
The Falcon 9 rocket followed an easterly trajectory after liftoff, with the 45th Weather Squadron predicting an 80 percent chance of favorable weather that improved to 90 percent as the launch window progressed. Meteorologists monitored potential interference from cumulus and anvil clouds, noting that the erratic nature of storm motion could pose challenges.
Utilizing the Falcon 9 booster with tail number B1085, this mission represented its 17th flight, having previously supported various missions, including NASA’s Crew-9 and multiple Starlink deployments. Approximately 8.5 minutes after launch, B1085 successfully landed on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’ in the Atlantic Ocean, achieving its 158th successful landing.
SXM-11 Satellite Details
The SXM-11 satellite, weighing around 15,000 pounds (7.5 tons), was deployed from the Falcon 9’s upper stage roughly half an hour post-launch. Manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems, a subsidiary of Intuitive Machines, the satellite is designed to replace two aging satellites, XM-5 and Sirius FM-5, which were launched in 2010 and 2009, respectively.
SiriusXM highlighted the significance of the SXM-11 satellite, stating, “After years of planning, engineering, testing, and collaboration, SXM-11 is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and begin its journey to orbit.” As the most powerful high-powered satellite in SiriusXM’s fleet, SXM-11 aims to enhance signal reception, expand coverage in Alaska, and support audio entertainment and information services across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Technical Specifications
The SXM-11 satellite is based on the IM-1300 satellite bus and stands 230 feet tall (70.1 m). With its solar panels deployed, the spacecraft spans 106 feet (32.3 m). Notably, approximately 60 percent of the satellite’s mass is attributed to its onboard fuel. The previous satellite in this series, SXM-10, launched in June 2025, is expected to remain operational until 2040, according to SiriusXM’s financial disclosures.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
