[Satellite Today 07-02-09] International Launch Services (ILS) carried Sirius XM Radio’s FM-5 satellite into orbit on an ILS Proton, ILS announced June 30.
    Sirius FM-5 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3:10 p.m. EDT. After a 9-hour, 14-minute operation, Sirius FM-5 satellite was released into geostationary transfer orbit.
    The satellite is performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan, and the solar arrays deployed on schedule, manufacturer Space Systems/Loral said. The satellite is scheduled to begin firing its main thruster in order to start maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit.
    Sirius FM-5 carries an X-band uplink and an S-band downlink payload and has technologies designed to provide at concentrated transmissions to small, advanced devices.