26724 - XM-2 (ROCK)

XM 2 (better known as XM ROCK) is an American geosynchronous radio broadcast satellite that was launched by a Zenit 3SL rocket from the Sea Launch Platform on the equatorial Pacific ocean at 22:33 UT. The 4.7 ton (with fuel), 18 kW satellite carries two transmitters (3 kW each) in the S-band to relay 100 channels of digital quality music uplinked in the X-band from one or more ground stations,. It is parked over 115 degrees W longitude. (It is accompanied by the XM ROLL launched in May 2001.) The investors include several auto manufacturers who will be equipping the special receivers in their models.

Alternate Names

Rock
XM Rock

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2001-03-18
Launch Vehicle: Zenit 3SL
Launch Site: Odyssey (Sea Launch Platform)