SiriusXM To Relocate FM-5 Satellite as Part of Move to GSO Constellation

SiriusXM Radio plans to drift its FM-5 satellite from 96 degrees west to 86.15 degrees west. In an FCC International Bureau filing Friday, Sirius asked for a modification of its FM-5 license for the drift and to operate the satellite during that relocation, and to renew the satellite's license to operate for eight additional years, through Aug. 25, 2025. Sirius is moving from a hybrid constellation to a geostationary satellite constellation of FM-5 and FM-6, it said. The company plans to begin drifting FM-5 in March, and after that drift is complete to retire the three nongeostationary satellites that make up its legacy constellation, it said. The FM-5 drift is expected to take 14 days, Sirius said.