e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

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Second Boeing-built XM Satellite at Sea, Ready for Launch
Spacecraft Pair Will Deliver State-of-the-Art Nationwide Radio Programming Service
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/010501/0480.html

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2001--An official launch date and time have been set for XM ``Roll,'' the second of two powerful Boeing 702-model spacecraft built for XM Satellite Radio Inc. by Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS), a unit of The Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - news).

With the Sea Launch ocean platform well on its way to its launch site on the equator, XM ``Roll'' is officially scheduled to launch on May 8, with the 45-minute launch window opening at 3:10 p.m. PDT (6:10 p.m. EDT and 10:10 p.m. GMT). The Sea Launch platform left its Long Beach home port on April 25.

The launch of Roll will come less than two months after its twin, dubbed ``Rock,'' was successfully launched March 18, also by Sea Launch. Roll will operate in geosynchronous orbit at 85 degrees West longitude; Rock is stationed at 115 degrees West longitude.

``Boeing is proud to deliver the second half of the XM Satellite Radio space segment,'' said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. ``Just as our technology once helped kick off digital direct-to-home television in the United States, these two Boeing 702 spacecraft will enable XM to deliver an exciting new kind of radio programming to subscribers across the country. Long live Rock and Roll.''

Each of XM's satellites is designed to provide 18 kilowatts of total spacecraft power at beginning of life. To generate spacecraft power, each of the satellite's two solar wings employ five panels of high-efficiency, dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells developed by Spectrolab, another Boeing company. When fully deployed, the solar wings span 132.5 feet and the antennas extend to 46.6 feet.

Together, the two spacecraft will deliver 100 channels of crystal-clear, digital-quality music, news and information programming to XM radios across the United States.

The XM spacecraft carry a unique digital audio radio payload built by Alcatel Space Industries. The payload features two active transponders, each with 16 active (and six spare) 228-watt traveling wave tube amplifiers generating approximately 3,000 watts of RF signal power, making these the most powerful commercial transponders ever built.

``This is truly an exciting time for XM Satellite Radio, and for all radio listeners throughout the country,'' said Hugh Panero, president and chief executive officer of XM Satellite Radio. ``With one powerful satellite in orbit and the second one ready to launch, plus our new Broadcast Center, XM chips in production and XM-ready radios on retail shelves, we are within months of inaugurating our revolutionary nationwide digital audio radio programming.''

The spacecraft will weigh approximately 9,800 pounds at launch and 6,500 pounds in orbit. It has two 16.4-foot folding deployable S-band transmit reflectors and one X-band global receive antenna.

To provide 15 years' service, the Boeing 702 carries the flight-proven xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for all on-orbit maneuvering. The XIPS were built by Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices Inc.

XM will transform radio, an industry that has seen little technological change since FM, almost 40 years ago. 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.

XM-ready radios are being manufactured by such household names as Sony, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion, Blaupunkt, Delphi-Delco, Visteon, Panasonic and Sanyo; and are available for sale by retailers including Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears, RadioShack franchisee dealer stores and Crutchfield.

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 Corp. (Nasdaq:MTNT - news), the company's largest shareholder. XM has a long-term distribution agreement with General Motors to integrate XM radios into its vehicles commencing in 2001. For more information, visit the XM Web site at www.xmradio.com.

Alcatel builds next-generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 130,000 employees and sales of EURO 31 billion in 2000, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.

Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications. The company was formed in October 2000 when Boeing acquired the Hughes Electronics satellite manufacturing companies, which included Hughes Space and Communications Co., Hughes Electron Dynamics, Spectrolab Inc. and Hughes Electronics' 50 percent share of HRL Laboratories.

The Boeing Co., with headquarters in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems.

The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.

Note to Editors: Boeing Satellite Systems will provide simultaneous Webcast of the launch beginning 2:50 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on the launch day. The Webcast can be viewed at http://www.boeing.com/satellite.

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