The Odyssey Launch Platform, carrying XM Rock, to be joined by the assembly and command ship, Sea Launch Commander, will be sailing approximately 3000 miles from Long Beach, CA, to the launch site on the Equator at 154 degrees West Longitude, in open waters of the Pacific Ocean. A 200-foot Zenit- 3SL rocket will lift the 10,322 lb. (4682 kg) digital audio radio satellite to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Its final position will be at 115 degrees West Longitude.

XM's two satellites -- officially named "Rock" and "Roll" -- are built and will both launch from Sea Launch's floating platform in the Pacific. Following Rock's March 18 launch, Roll is expected to launch in early May. A spare third satellite is in its final testing phase.

All three satellites are Boeing 702 models, manufactured by industry leader Boeing Satellite Systems, a unit of The Boeing Company. The satellites are the most powerful commercial satellites ever built and will be positioned above the United States, where they will transmit up to 100 channels of XM's revolutionary radio programming to XM radios across the continental United States. By using two powerful satellites, each with the same nationwide coverage, XM will ensure maximum signal and system reliability.

In addition, XM has raised a total of $201.4 million in a public offering of 7.5 million shares of its Class A Common Stock and $125 million of 7.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes. These offerings closed Tuesday, March 6. The proceeds are expected to fund company operations into 2002.

XM-ready radios produced by Pioneer, the nation's largest aftermarket car stereo manufacturer, are now available for sale by a number of retailers, including Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears, RadioShack franchisee dealer stores, and Crutchfield. These XM-ready radios are compatible with tuner models that will be available this summer. In addition, Pioneer has announced that its XM tuner module is backward-compatible with more than 3 million Pioneer head units sold over the last few years.

XM will create and package up to 100 channels of digital-quality sound and provide coast-to-coast coverage of music, news, sports, talk, comedy and children's programming. XM won several awards at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January, including "Best of CES" in the automotive category. Service is scheduled to begin this summer.

The Sea Launch Company, an international partnership, is the world's only ocean-based commercial launch service company, offering the most direct and cost-effective route to transfer orbit.

XM's strategic investors include America's leading car, radio, and satellite TV companies -- General Motors, American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Clear Channel Communications, DIRECTV and Motient Corporation, the company's largest shareholder. XM has a long-term distribution agreement with General Motors to integrate XM-ready radios into its vehicles commencing in 2001. XM-ready radios will be manufactured by such household names as Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion, Blaupunkt, Delphi-Delco, Visteon, Panasonic, and Sanyo.

Link for more info: www.xmradio.com