It has been announced here today by the joint collaboration of the Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and SIRIUS Satellite Radio of the conferring of a contract from SIRIUS to SS/L for the building of SIRIUS FM-6, a new high-power satellite that is destined to function in a highly inclined elliptical orbit or HIEO. It has also been stated in the same esteem that this very satellite is going to be the sixth SS/L-built spacecraft in the SIRIUS fleet.

The Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. The company excels in owning and operating a fleet of telecommunications satellites, that are used to broadcast video entertainment programming, distribute broadband data, and provide access to Internet services and other value-added communications services. Loral is also acclaimed as an internationally renowned leader especially in the designing and manufacturing of satellites and satellite systems. Its designed and manufactured satellites and satellite systems are being used for commercial and government applications that include direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless telephony, weather monitoring and air traffic management. On the contrary the Space Systems/Loral or the SS/L was first established as the Western Development Laboratories division of Philco Corporation in 1957 and was also found to commence the construction of the first building on its current campus in Palo Alto, California on the very same year. However it was only in 1990 after being owned by several organizations that it was acquired by the Loral Space & Communications and a consortium of international partners. However, it was only in 1997 that the Loral became the sole owner of SS/L, and till now it remains as the parent company of the SS/L.  

There is a huge expectation that the SIRIUS FM-6 shall be able to make available almost double the power of the satellites in the accessible, in-orbit constellation of the SIRIUS and also persisting for the gradual and rapid improvement of the service for SIRIUS subscribers. It has been learnt that the stipulated period of completion is 2010 and will on the other hand provide more than 15 years of service life.

While speaking to the Press & Media John Celli, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Space Systems/Loral said, "We look forward to continuing our long relationship with SIRIUS on this new project."   "SIRIUS provides compelling and entertaining radio programming that spans music, talk, sports, news and information. We believe that it is a tribute to our technology and customer oriented service that this company continues to select SS/L for its next generation satellites," he concluded.