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Successful launch of XM-4 satellite with Alcatel Alenia Space payload

31 October 2006

The XM-4 broadcast satellite was successfully launched from the Odyssey Sea Launch Platform on a Zenit-3SL rocket. Alcatel Alenia Space, worldwide leader in Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems payloads, supplied the S-Band one to the satellite prime contractor Boeing Satellite Systems International. Boeing and Alcatel Alenia Space will be responsible for in-orbit tests.

The XM-4 satellite will be operated by XM Satellite Radio, America's number one satellite radio service offering digital commercial-free music channels, entertainment programming as well as advanced traffic and weather information directly to cars, homes and portable radios throughout the continental United States and Canada.

XM-4 satellite comprises a Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) payload fitted with 2 narrow band channels of 3000W each. Designed for a 15-year lifespan, the XM-4 satellite will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on orbit.

This launch reinforces Alcatel Alenia Space's worldwide leadership in Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems payloads. Alcatel Alenia Space has already provided the payloads for XM-1, XM-2 and XM-3 satellites.

About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody's future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defense to science and observation. Alcatel Alenia Space is an affiliate of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%).