Payload: Sirius-3 Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform, High-powered digital audio radio service satellite (DARS)

Separated Mass: Approx. 3800 kg (8,377 lbs.)

Launch Vehicle: Proton/Block DM

Weight at Liftoff: 780 metric tons (1,719,606 lbs.), including payload

Launch Date: Thursday, Nov. 30 (US)
Friday, Dec. 1 (Baikonur)

Launch Window Opens: 12:59:47 a.m. Dec. 1 (Baikonur), 10:59:47 p.m. Nov. 30 (Moscow),
2:59:47 p.m. Nov. 30 (EST/USA)

Launch Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Complex 81, Pad 23

End User: Sirius Satellite Radio, New York, USA, the pioneer in the satellite radio industry, plans to deliver by subscription 50 channels of commercial-free music and up to 50 channels of entertainment programming to motorists throughout the continental United States.

Satellite Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, CA, USA, prime contractor

Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center,Moscow – Proton first three stages; RSC Energia, outside of Moscow – Block DM fourth stage

Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, VA, USA, formed by Lockheed Martin Corp., Khrunichev and Energia

Satellite Use: Digital satellite radio system that will broadcast unique music and entertainment programming not available on conventional radio in any market in the U.S.

Satellite Status: – Third satellite in the three-satellite Sirius constellation
– Orbital location – inclined elliptical orbit
– Signals to be transmitted via the S-band
– Optimized for a service life of 15 years or more

Mission Profile: The flight of the Proton launch vehicle’s first three stages will place the fourth stage and the Sirius satellite into a circular 170 km (92 nmi) parking orbit. Subsequent burns of the Block DM3 engine will inject the spacecraft into a highly inclined elliptical orbit.

Spacecraft Separation: Approximately 2 hours, 25 minutes, 10 seconds after liftoff

ILS Mission Stats: – 6th ILS mission on Proton this year
– 13th ILS mission this year (Proton and Atlas combined)
– 13th mission of any type on Proton this year
– 19th ILS mission on Proton since formation of the Russian joint venture in 1995

Live Broadcast: Telstar 6, Ku Transponder 16. Test signals to begin at 2 p.m. EST

More Information: General Proton information is available on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.

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CONTACT:
Fran Slimmer
1-571-633-7462, fran.slimmer@lmco.com(ILS, McLean)

Sergei Jiltsov
7-095-145-9802
(Khrunichev, Moscow)

ILS #00-33