SpaceX Soars Again: SXM-10 Satellite Launch Breaks New Ground!

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA - In the early hours of June 7, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched SiriusXM’s second satellite of the year, SXM-10, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off precisely at 12:54 a.m. EDT, following five previous delays that had kept both engineers and space enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. The payload of SXM-10, which weighs in at a hefty 4,100 pounds, will bolster SiriusXM’s radio programming services across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, marking a significant step forward in broader satellite radio coverage.

After a smooth ascent through the night sky, the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster made a triumphant return, landing on the drone ship „A Shortfall of Gravitas“ in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 8.5 minutes post-launch. This launch was noteworthy not just for its payload but also because it was the eighth flight for the Falcon 9 booster, which has an impressive track record that includes missions supporting Crew-9 and several Starlink launches. The SXM-10 satellite, deployed into geosynchronous transfer orbit about 33 minutes after takeoff, now joins six other functional satellites in SiriusXM’s constellation, pushing the total up to seven.

The Launch and its Context

This milestone marks a key achievement for SpaceX, which completed its 48th orbital rocket launch in 2025 alone from Cape Canaveral and nearby Kennedy Space Center, as reported by UPI. Across the globe, SpaceX has conducted a staggering 69 Falcon 9 missions this year, 51 of which were dedicated to launching the Starlink broadband megaconstellation that promises to provide internet services to remote areas.

But this is just the beginning for SiriusXM. With plans to launch two more satellites in the coming years, the company is clearly positioning itself to enhance its service capabilities. The latest launch follows the successful December 2024 debut of the SXM-9 satellite, also built by Maxar Technologies. Both satellites are crucial for maintaining SiriusXM’s competitive edge in the fast-evolving media landscape.

A 15-Year Journey

The excitement surrounding the launch isn’t just about SXM-10 or SiriusXM’s expanded capacity. Interestingly, this launch took place just days after SpaceX celebrated the 15th anniversary of the very first Falcon 9 launch. On June 4, 2010, the maiden flight marked a significant milestone for commercial space flight, as it was the first privately developed rocket of its size to successfully reach orbit, according to observations by Digital Trends. The journey from that inaugural mission, which deployed a prototype Dragon spacecraft, to the present day has been filled with innovations and accomplishments, reinforcing SpaceX’s role as a leader in the aerospace industry.

As we look ahead, the next Falcon 9 mission is already lined up, targeting a Starlink satellite launch at 6:34 a.m. PDT on Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. And for those keeping their eyes on Florida’s space endeavors, another significant event is on the horizon: the fourth Axiom private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for 8:22 a.m. on Tuesday, with former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson at the helm. There’s certainly a good deal happening in the realm of space exploration, and SpaceX is at the forefront.

As we watch the stars, it’s clear that here in Florida, we are witnessing not just the launches of rockets but the future unfolding before our eyes.