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Sirius Satellite Radio has this week moved to extend the reach of its broadcasting network following the launch of a new Sirius FM5 satellite, which blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
Still barking. Image: Sirius XM.
Heading for a high-altitude transfer orbit more than 22,000 miles above the planet, the 12,831-pound satellite successfully left its launch pad aboard a three-stage, six engine Proton-M rocket at approximately 19:10 GMT.
News of the launch comes as rumours circulate regarding the future – or lack thereof – of satellite radio as a medium and of existing providers such as Sirius.
According to the Vancouver Sun, merged outfit Sirius XM has been unable to post a profitable year since 2001 and is some $3.25 billion USD in debt.
An American company, Sirius XM is a provider of commercial-free satellite music channels, along with premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather information to around 18 million listeners.
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