XM-4 (BLUES) (29520)

COSPAR: 2006-049A | Alt Name: XM-4

Image
XM-4 (BLUES) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

October 30, 2006

Launch Site

SEAL

Launch Pad

KLA -

Launch Vehicle

Zenit-3SL

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

29520

International Designator

2006-049A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:28:28 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

2.90°

Right Ascension

80.79°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

330.18°

Period

1457.24 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

XM-4 (BLUES)

Alternative Name

XM-4

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

XMR

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 29520U 06049A   26185.18644341 -.00000166  00000-0  00000-0 0  9994
2 29520   2.8951  80.7882 0007972 330.1814 117.7461  0.98816890 51511

Source: Celestrak

Summary
XM-4 (BLUES), also known as XM-4, is a communication satellite with NORAD Catalog ID 29520 and OBJECT_ID 2006-049A. Built by BOES using the BSS-702HP bus configuration, it was launched on October 30, 2006, from Sea Launch (SEAL) with a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle and reached stable orbit on October 31, 2006. The satellite measures 7 meters in length and has a diameter of 3.3 meters and a span of 40.4 meters. It carries digital audio radio equipment including two active S-band transponders with 16 active (and 6 spare) TWTAs for a total power output of 13.3 kW, supported by deployable solar arrays and batteries. XM-4 has a dry mass of 2700 kg and launched at a mass of 5193 kg. It was manufactured in the US and is owned by XMR (XM Radio), operating under its communication mission for a projected lifetime of 15 years. The satellite's shape is characterized as Box + 2 Pan with an RCS value of 16.1059, and it uses R-4D-11-300 motors for propulsion.
Physical Characteristics

Length

7

Diameter

3.3

Span

40.4

Dry Mass

2700

Launch Mass

5193

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

16.1059

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

XM Radio-4

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

BOES

Life Expectancy

15 years

Bus

BSS-702HP

Configuration

BSS-702

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

13.3 kW Digital Audio Radio, 2 active S-band transponders, each w/16 active (6 spare) 228 W TWTAs

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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