SiriusXM launches satellite #11
June 29, 2026

By Chris Forrester



A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 28th, carrying a Sirius XM satellite. The new satellite will replace two aging craft.

The launch was handled by SpaceX from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.


SpaceX officially confirmed successful deployment of the SXM-11 satellite. The confirmation came via SpaceX’s official X account confirming all mission objectives had been achieved. This adds another full success to Falcon 9’s reliability record, with booster B1085 having already landed safely on its 17th flight earlier in the mission.

The SXM-11 satellite itself is no lightweight: tipping the scales at approximately 15,000 pounds, it was deployed into an elliptical geosynchronous transfer orbit roughly 34.5 minutes after liftoff.

The SiriusXM craft was built by Lanteris Space Systems — formerly Maxar Space Systems, acquired by Intuitive Machines in January 2026 — on its proven IM-1300 platform. SXM-11 spans 106 feet tip-to-tip with solar panels deployed.

The satellite is designed to enhance signal reception, extend coverage into Alaska, and eventually replace the aging XM-5 and Sirius FM-5 pay-radio satellites currently serving listeners across the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. With this launch, SpaceX’s coverage of commercial GTO missions continues at a steady clip heading into the second half of 2026.