SpaceX launched a 15,000-pound SiriusXM satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral on June 28, marking another successful rocket launch today as the company continues to expand its commercial payload manifest.
The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off during a four-hour launch window opening at 10:25 p.m. EDT (2:25 a.m. UTC on June 29), carrying the SXM-11 satellite toward geosynchronous transfer orbit, according to Spaceflight Now. The satellite, built by Lanteris Space Systems—a subsidiary of Texas-based Intuitive Machines—will be deployed roughly half an hour after launch.
SXM-11 is part of SiriusXM’s constellation refresh effort. The satellite is designed to replace two aging satellites: XM-5 and Sirius FM-5, which launched in 2010 and 2009 respectively, according to Spaceflight Now. The new spacecraft weighs about 7.5 tons and is based on the IM-1300 satellite bus, standing 230 feet tall with solar panels extended to 106 feet.
According to SiriusXM’s official statement reported by Spaceflight Now, SXM-11 “is the most powerful high-powered satellite in SiriusXM’s fleet” and will “help enhance signal reception, expand coverage in Alaska, and support the delivery of audio entertainment and information services across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.”
The Falcon 9 booster, designated B1085, was on its 17th flight, having previously launched NASA’s Crew-9 mission, missions for the U.S. Space Force, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost, and nine Starlink missions, according to Spaceflight Now. The first stage was targeted to land on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
Intuitive Machines acquired Lanteris Space Systems (formerly Maxar Space Systems) in January 2026 for approximately $800 million, consolidating satellite manufacturing capabilities. The SXM-10 satellite, the previous model in this generation launched in June 2025, is estimated to remain in service until 2040, according to SiriusXM’s financial disclosure to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The launch adds to SpaceX’s rapid cadence this year. As of mid-June, the company had completed nine launches for the month, demonstrating sustained operational capacity across its commercial and government customer base.
Sources
- Spaceflight Now — launch details, satellite specifications, booster history, mission timeline, and SiriusXM statement on SXM-11 capabilities
- Space.com — satellite weight confirmation and launch window timing
- LinkedIn (SiriusXM official post) — satellite mass confirmation at launch
