SiriusXM Radio SXM-7 satellite, in orbit just 6 weeks, suffers payload failure; total loss feared

by Peter B. de Selding

PARIS— The Sirius XM Radio SXM-7 satellite built by Maxar Technologies and launched in December has suffered a critical failure in its communications payload and is feared to be a total loss, according to industry officials.

The digital audio radio-broadcast satellite is insured for $225 million. It was designed to operate for 15 years.

The satellite was a difficult project at Maxar, which a total of $45 million in charges in the first half of 2020 following a design defect that was not . . .

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