Most powerful satellite in SiriusXM’s fleet is designed to improve signal reception, expand Alaska coverage and support reliable service across North America
NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SiriusXM today announced that the Company’s SXM-11 satellite is now operational, following successful in-orbit testing and handover by Intuitive Machines. SXM-11 is the most powerful satellite in SiriusXM’s high-powered fleet and is designed to improve signal reception, expand Alaska coverage and support reliable service across North America.
“Bringing SXM-11 into service strengthens our next-generation satellite fleet and reinforces the long-term resilience of our network,” said Sean Gibbons, Chief Product and Technology Officer at SiriusXM. “For listeners, that means a premium in-car experience with broad, reliable coverage, including where cellular service may be limited. Through SiriusXM with 360L, we combine that reach with the choice, personalization and interactivity of streaming, to bring the best of both technologies together in millions of vehicles.”
210 million SiriusXM-equipped vehicles across North America are on the road today and rely on the proprietary satellite infrastructure supporting SiriusXM’s in-vehicle listening experience. Built on the Intuitive Machines IM 1300™ satellite platform, SXM-11 weighed more than 15,000 pounds, or nearly 6,950 kilograms at launch. The satellite stands 28 feet tall and spans more than 106 feet with its solar panels deployed. Orbiting 22,000 miles above Earth, SXM-11 features a large, unfurlable 30-foot (9 meter) main beam antenna that broadcasts audio and data to users on the ground, with an estimated eight million square miles of broadcast coverage.
“SXM-11 marks another milestone in our longstanding partnership with SiriusXM. Over the course of our relationship, we have built 13 spacecraft together,” said Chris Johnson, President, Intuitive Machines. “This handover reflects our shared commitment to mission success and the confidence SiriusXM continues to place in our team to deliver high-performance, reliable space systems. We continue to demonstrate our ability to design, build, and deliver satellite systems that meet the demanding requirements of today’s commercial space market with robust, scalable high-power platforms.”
SiriusXM also offers satellite-delivered Marine and Aviation services that provide pilots and boaters with weather data and other important information directly in their cockpits. SXM-11 carries an additional communications payload that will be used to deliver expanded WCS-band coverage.
SXM-11 launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:25 p.m. ET on June 28. SiriusXM and Intuitive Machines subsequently completed the commissioning and testing required to verify that the spacecraft and its communications systems were ready for operational service.
SXM-11 is the 15th satellite launched for SiriusXM and will replace XM-5. It is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing satellite fleet-refresh program. SXM-9 and SXM-10 commenced service in 2025, and SXM-12 is currently scheduled for launch in 2027.
SXM-11 by the numbers
- More than 15,000 pounds: SXM-11’s launch weight, approximately the weight of a school bus.
- Nearly 60%: The portion of the satellite’s launch weight made up of fuel supporting its journey and in-orbit operations.
- 28 feet: The height of the satellite.
- 22,000 miles: The satellite’s orbiting distance above Earth.
- 8 million square miles: The satellite’s approximate broadcast coverage footprint.
- More than 106 feet: The satellite’s span with its solar panels deployed – approximately the height of a 10-story building laid on its side.
- 30 feet: The diameter of SXM-11’s large, unfurlable S-band reflector (9 meters).
- 210 million: The estimated number of SiriusXM-equipped vehicles across North America supported by SiriusXM’s proprietary satellite network.
- 15th satellite: SXM-11 is the 15th spacecraft launched for Sirius, XM and SiriusXM.
About Sirius XM Holdings Inc.
SiriusXM is the leading audio entertainment company in North America, with a portfolio of audio businesses including its flagship subscription entertainment service SiriusXM; the ad-supported and premium music streaming services of Pandora; an expansive podcast network; and a complete ecosystem of advertising solutions through SiriusXM Media and AdsWizz. SiriusXM offers live, on-demand, and human-curated programming across music, talk, news, sports, and podcasts, and the company reaches approximately 255 million monthly listeners across its platforms. With deep automotive manufacturer relationships and unique spectrum assets, SiriusXM is built to reach listeners wherever they are. The company connects fans to the voices, creators, and moments they love – creating communities where listeners engage, participate, and belong. For more about SiriusXM, please go to: https://www.siriusxm.com/
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is a leading space infrastructure company that builds spacecraft, connects networks and operates infrastructure-as-a-service for commercial, civil and national-security customers. With a proven track record across the space domain, the company, through organic growth and portfolio expansion, has built more than 300 spacecraft, delivered more than 260 kilograms of payload to the lunar surface and provided precision-navigation expertise that has guided spacecraft across the solar system. These capabilities form an integrated Build-Connect-Operate infrastructure service company, enabling customers to achieve mission and campaign outcomes through a single prime solution. Intuitive Machines’ technology has been demonstrated across the space domain and is engineered to support the next century of opportunity in space.
Media contact: Zak.Paget@siriusxm.com
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SOURCE Sirius XM Holdings Inc.
