a required remote satellite ground stations. The launch of a Proton launch vehicle with the Sirius FM-6 satellite was postponed today for at least 24 hours due to issues with the satellite ground station network required for the launch and early orbital operations of the Sirius FM-6 spacecraft.

Sirius FM-6 is a new, high-power satellite designed to operate in a Geostationary orbit (GEO) and is the seventh SSL-built spacecraft in the SIRIUS XM Radio fleet, providing nearly double the power of the satellites in SIRIUS XM's existing, in-orbit constellation. Sirius FM-6 will carry an X-band uplink and an S-band downlink payload. With almost 20 kilowatts end-of-life power, it is one of the world's most powerful satellites being built today. The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2013.

The Proton rocket rolled to the launch pad and was erected vertically Thursday. Credit: Roscosmos

  Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center (Khrunichev) and International Launch Services (ILS) plan to make another attempt at 12:12 a.m. local time on October 22 in Baikonur (2:12 pm EDT on October 21). The satellite was built for Sirius XM Radio of New York, by SSL of California.

  It was determined by SSL and SiriusXM, as a precautionary measure, that additional time was needed to evaluate issues related to a required remote satellite ground stations. The Proton Launch Vehicle and Sirius FM-6 satellite remain in a safe configuration with no technical issues at the launch site.

  For updated information go the launch site here.