SpaceX F9 : SXM-9 : KSC LC-39A : 5 December 2024 (16:10 UTC)

[gongora]

SXM-9

Discussion thread for launch of SXM-9

Launching 5 December 2024, at 16:10 UTC (11:10 am EST), from KSC LC-39A, on Falcon 9 booster 1076-19.  The first stage will land aboard Just Read the Instructions.

[Maxar] MAXAR AWARDED CONTRACT TO BUILD NEW SATELLITE FOR SIRIUSXM [4 August 2021]

The SXM-9 satellite will be based on Maxar’s proven 1300-class platform and built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California. It is expected that SXM-9 will launch in 2024.

SXM-9 is the first of four satellites that SiriusXM ordered from Maxar in 2021 (SXM-9, SXM-10) and 2022 (SXM-11, SXM-12).
SXM-9 should replace the failed SXM-7.

[gongora]

1432-EX-ST-2024

This STA is intended to cover customer RF prelaunch testing for a commercial payload on the SXM-9 mission. Tests involve fairing re-rad operations at Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral AFS or Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, and stand-alone testing at the SpaceX Payload Processing Facility.

Payload testing NET end of September

[gongora]

Intelsat License LLC (“Intelsat”) herein requests 30 days of Special Temporary Authority (“STA”),1 commencing October 20, 2024, to use its Nuevo, California C-band earth station, E040125, to provide launch and early orbit phase (“LEOP”) services for the SXM-9 satellite (S3166).2 SXM-9 is currently scheduled to launch on October 20, 2024.3 Intelsat expects the LEOP period to last approximately 30 days.

[zubenelgenubi]

Any new news?

If SiriusXM wishes to announce the payload's arrival to Florida, then we should have heard about it by now for an October launch?

They have done so in the past.

[StraumliBlight]

Any new news?

FCC Public Notice [Oct 16]

SES-STA-20240506-00966
On October 15, 2024, Sirius XM Radio Inc. was granted special temporary authority for 90 days, beginning on October 15, 2024 through January 12, 2025, to operate its fixed antenna in Ellenwood, GA to provide telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) in support of in-orbit testing (IOT) to communicate with the SXM-9 (S3166) satellite, in the 7025-7075 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2315-2350 MHz (space-to-Earth) frequency bands.

SES-STA-20240506-00967
On October 15, 2024, Sirius XM Radio Inc. was granted special temporary authority for 90 days, beginning on October 15, 2024 through January 12, 2025, to operate its fixed antenna in Vernon, NJ to provide telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) in support of in-orbit testing (IOT) to communicate with the SXM-9 (S3166) satellite, in the 7025-7075 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2315-2350 MHz (space-to-Earth) frequency bands.

[GWR64]

Any new news?

FCC Public Notice [Oct 16]

SES-STA-20240506-00966
On October 15, 2024, Sirius XM Radio Inc. was granted special temporary authority for 90 days, beginning on October 15, 2024 through January 12, 2025, to operate its fixed antenna in Ellenwood, GA to provide telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) in support of in-orbit testing (IOT) to communicate with the SXM-9 (S3166) satellite, in the 7025-7075 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2315-2350 MHz (space-to-Earth) frequency bands.

SES-STA-20240506-00967
On October 15, 2024, Sirius XM Radio Inc. was granted special temporary authority for 90 days, beginning on October 15, 2024 through January 12, 2025, to operate its fixed antenna in Vernon, NJ to provide telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) in support of in-orbit testing (IOT) to communicate with the SXM-9 (S3166) satellite, in the 7025-7075 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2315-2350 MHz (space-to-Earth) frequency bands.

launch date update from Oct. 16

...
The STA Requests seek authority for Sirius XM earth stations E080168 in Ellenwood, GA, and
E080185 in Vernon, NJ to communicate with Sirius XM’s SXM-9 space station to perform
telemetry, tracking, and command and conduct in-orbit testing of the satellite following its
upcoming launch. At the time Sirius XM submitted the STA Requests, launch of SXM-9 was
scheduled to occur in early October. However, launch provider delays have pushed back that
date, and SXM-9 is now scheduled to launch on November 24, 2024.
...

and a new grant

Special Temporary Authority
1 of 2
Applicant: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
Call Sign: E080185
File No.: SES-STA-20240506-00967
Sirius XM Radio Inc. (“Sirius XM”), is granted a 90-day special temporary authority (STA),
commencing November 24, 2024, through February 21, 2025, to operate its fixed earth station located
at geographical coordinates 41° 12' 45.0" N, 74° 29' 39.0" W in Vernon, NJ to provide telemetry,
tracking, and command (TT&C) in support of in-orbit testing (IOT) for the SXM-9 (S3166) satellite.
IOT will be performed at the 88.0° W.L. orbital location, then will drift to its regular 85.15° W.L.
orbital location once IOT is complete. Operations will be performed in the following frequency bands:
7025–7075 MHz (Earth-to-space) and 2315–2350 MHz (space-to-Earth) under the following
conditions:
...

[gongora]

I guess this is just before the other GEO comsat with a NET Nov 25 window

[zubenelgenubi]

I guess this is just before the other GEO comsat with a NET Nov 25 window

Both LC-39A and SLC-40 should be available.

[GewoonLukas_]

Satellite has arrived:

Check it out! The SXM-9 satellite has successfully shipped to the launch base, ready for its upcoming launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the #KennedySpaceCenter.

This latest satellite marks another milestone in our over two-decade relationship with @SiriusXM, featuring next-generation designs that continue enhancing their satellite radio services.

Photo 1: SXM-9 Satellite
Photo 2: Shipping from Maxar Space Systems in Palo Alto, CA
Photo 3: Arrival at Launch Base

#SatelliteTechnology #SpaceInnovation #SiriusXM

https://twitter.com/MaxarSpace/status/1849467133073215920

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight; updated October 31:
Launch NET 23 November, no mention of launch pad or landing location.

However, given a ~7000 kg launch mass, first stage recovery should be via ASDS.  (As it was for SXM-7 and 8.)

I don't know why there is a one day discrepancy of the NET launch date.

Edited

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight; updated October 31:
Launch NET 28 November

This year, Thanksgiving date.

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated November 8:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 10 at 4:28-8:28 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the Koreasat 6A communication satellite from pad 39A on November 11 at 12:07-4:07 p.m. EST. The first stage will land back at the Cape about eight minutes after launch. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 13 at 6:00-10:00 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40. A Falcon 9 will launch from pad 39A on November 17 in the afternoon EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the GSAT-20 communication satellite for India from pad 40 on mid-November. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the SiriusXM-9 communication satellite on early December. A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES on early December.

NextSpaceflight; updated November 8:
Launch NET December

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight; updated November 11:
Launch NET 2 December

[gongora]

SXM-9 is now scheduled to launch on December 2, 2024. Intelsat expects the LEOP period to last approximately 30 days.
...
In-orbit testing of SXM-9 will occur at 88.0° W.L

[xm11]

any know final position after testing iot ?

[GewoonLukas_]

any know final position after testing iot ?

85.15° W.L.

[xm11]

it look repleace xm3
thanks for update

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated November 20:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 21 at 10:53 a.m. - 2:53 p.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 25 at 4:32-8:32 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on November 25 at 10:31 p.m. - 2:31 a.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the SiriusXM-9 communication satellite on December 2 around 11 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES on mid-December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Astranis MicroGEO mission on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS communication satellite for the UAE on December.

Perhaps also the LC-39A launch that follows after Starlink 6-76 on November 26 UTC?

[zubenelgenubi]

NextSpaceflight; updated November 21:
2 Dec 2024 16:09 UTC

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated November 21 after Starlink 6-66 launch:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 25 at 4:32-8:32 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on November 25 at 10:31 p.m. - 2:31 a.m. EST. Upcoming launches include more Starlink batches. A Falcon 9 will launch the SiriusXM-9 communication satellite on early December around 11 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES on mid-December. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Astranis MicroGEO mission on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS communication satellite for the UAE on December.

[zubenelgenubi]

My bold:

Ben Cooper's Launch Photography Viewing Guide, updated November 24:

The next SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 25 at 4:32-8:32 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 39A on November 25 at 10:31 p.m. - 2:31 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on November 30 at 12:00-4:00 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch a Starlink batch from pad 40 on early December. A Falcon 9 will launch the SiriusXM-9 communication satellite from pad 39A on early December around 11 a.m. EST. A Falcon 9 will launch the next pair of O3b mPOWER satellites for SES on mid-December. A Falcon 9 will launch the next GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Astranis MicroGEO mission on December. A Falcon 9 will launch the Thuraya 4-NGS communication satellite for the UAE on December. A Falcon 9 will launch Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander to the moon on mid-January.