Space Systems Loral (SSL) has been selected to provide two high-power satellites to US-based radio company Sirius XM Holdings (SiriusXM).

Once operational, the SXM-7 and SXM-8 next generation satellites will replace the XM-3 and XM-4 satellites in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Both satellites will also help SiriusXM to provide non-stop audio entertainment and data services to more than 30 million subscribers across North America.

"We are pleased to once again collaborate with SSL on two advanced satellites that will bolster service to our subscribers for years to come."

Sirius XM Holdings satellite and terrestrial engineering and operations vice-president Bridget Neville said: “We are pleased to once again collaborate with SSL on two advanced satellites that will bolster service to our subscribers for years to come.

“SSL is a premier designer and manufacturer of reliable communications satellites, with the technological capability to meet our demanding requirements.”

To be operated in the S-band spectrum, both SXM-7 and SXM-8 will produce more than 20kW of power.

The satellites will be equipped with a large unfurlable antenna reflector, which enables broadcast to radios without the requirement for large dish-type antennas on the ground.

SSL will build the satellites, each of which will have a lifespan of 15 years or more, on its 1300 platform.

Space Systems Loral president John Celli said: “We have a long history of working with SiriusXM to develop some of the world’s most advanced satellites, which broadcast to cars and radios for the home, office, and mobile devices.”

SSL previously built a total of seven satellites for SiriusXM, including the first generation Sirius satellites, which were launched in 2000.

The company recently secured $20.7m from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to design and build robotic arm flight hardware for the agency’s robotic servicing of geosynchronous satellites (RSGS) programme.