An artist's concept of the XM 1 radio broadcasting spacecraft built by the new Boeing Satellite Systems.

First there was AM. Then there was FM. And now ... XM Satellite Radio.

The XM-1 spacecraft was built for XM Satellite Radio Inc., Washington, D.C., by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. (BSS), a unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA).

The XM-1 satellite -- designated as "Roll" -- is scheduled to launch on Jan. 8, 2001, from the Sea Launch floating launch platform near the equator. The 37.5-minute launch window opens at 2:35 p.m. PST, (5:35 p.m. EST and 22:35 GMT).

This will be the first of two BSS satellites launched for XM Satellite Radio Inc., and BSS' first launch of the New Year. The second satellite -- designated "Rock" -- is scheduled to launch in March.

"Boeing is excited to participate in the historic inauguration of XM Satellite Radio," stated Tig H. Krekel, President of Boeing Satellite Systems. "Boeing is building both 'Rock' and 'Roll.' Each satellite has the same coast-to-coast footprint, which will ensure maximum signal and system reliability to each XM Satellite Radio user," Krekel added.

XM's satellites are Boeing 702 satellites, the most powerful commercial satellites ever manufactured. Together, the two XM spacecraft will deliver up to 100 channels of crystal-clear, digital-quality music, news and information to cars, homes and other listening environments equipped with a small antenna. Each will provide 18 kilowatts of total power at beginning of life.

"We look forward to the successful launch and deployment of XM's 'Roll' satellite," said Hugh Panero, President and Chief Executive Officer of XM Satellite Radio Inc. "By using 'Rock' and 'Roll' satellites together, they will provide state-of-the art digital audio radio programming directly to cars, homes and portable radios coast to coast. This will revolutionize the way America listens to the radio in the next millennium," Panero added.

To generate such high power, each of the satellite's two solar wings employ five panels of high-efficiency, dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells developed by Spectrolab, another Boeing company. To provide 15 years' service, the Boeing 702 carries the flight-proven xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for all on-orbit maneuvering.

The XM 1 spacecraft undergoes final work inside the Boeing Satellite Systems factory.

The XM Roll satellite carries a 13.3-kilowatt digital audio radio payload built by French aerospace leader Alcatel Space Industries. It features two active transponders, each with 16 active (and six spare) 228-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers generating approximately 3,000 watts of RF power, making these the most powerful commercial transponders ever built. The satellite will operate in geosynchronous orbit at 85 degrees west longitude. The satellite has two 16.4-foot folding deployable S-band transmit reflectors and one X-band global receive antenna. When fully deployed, the solar wings span 132.5 feet and the antennas to 46.6 feet. The payload weighs approximately 9,800 pounds at launch and 6,500 pounds in orbit.

XM Satellite Radio Inc. is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to provide Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service in the United States. Its strategic partners include Clear Channel Communications Inc.; DIRECTV Inc.; the General Motors Corporation; and Motion Corporation.

Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications. The company was formed in October 2000 when Boeing acquired the Hughes Electronics satellite manufacturing companies, which included Hughes Space and Communications Company, Hughes Electron Dynamics, Spectrolab Inc., and Hughes Electronics' 50 percent share of HRL Laboratories.

The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.