Actually, XM has 2 functioning satellites, and 2 orbiting spares.
This makes the current active satellites as XM-3 "Rhythm" and XM-4 "Blues" with two in-orbit spares: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM_Satellite_Radio
73 de W4AS Sebastian
On Aug 12, 2008, at 6:25 AM, John B. Stephensen wrote:
However, it takes 3 Molniya orbit satellites for Sirius to provide continuous coverage of the U.S. XM uses 1 geostationary satellite.
73,
John KD6OZH
----- Original Message ----- From: "Nigel Gunn G8IFF/W8IFF" nigel@ngunn.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 03:24 UTC Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT UK P3E Lecture HEO vs GEO. and AMSAT-NA Priorities
Works OK for the US Sirius radio network with a period of approx 24 hours.
John B. Stephensen wrote: Molniya orbits aren't very useful to outside funders