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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************************** DA 97-958 BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) COMSAT CORPORATION ) File No. CSS-93-005-LA ) Application for authority to participate ) in the launch of the INTELSAT VIII (F-2) ) ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION Adopted: May 6, 1997 Released: May 8, 1997 By the Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division: 1. The Commission has under consideration the above-captioned application filed by the COMSAT Corporation on December 17, 1992, for authority to participate in the launch, positioning and in-orbit testing of the INTELSAT VIII (F-2) satellite, now referred to as the INTELSAT 802 satellite. The application appeared on the Commission's Public Notice on December 23, 1992. No comments were received. 2. Authority to construct and operate the INTELSAT 802 satellite was granted in an order (FCC File No. CSS-92-004) released January 20, 1994. The satellite has been constructed and delivered. Current INTELSAT deployment plans call for the launch to take place in June 1997, utilizing an Ariane 44P launch vehicle. Current plans also call for approximately six weeks of in- orbit testing of the spacecraft bus and communications payload systems. The in-orbit testing of the bus will be accomplished while the INTELSAT 802 satellite is drifting towards a temporary location at 166ø East Longitude (E.L.) starting either at 155ø E.L. or at 159ø E.L. The actual starting point of the drift will be determined after the third apogee motor firing (AM) while the 802 satellite is in transfer orbit. The in-orbit testing of the communications payloads of the 802 satellite will take place at 166ø E.L. After the tests have been successfully completed, the 802 satellite will be relocated via a drift maneuver from that test location to its operating position of 174ø East Longitude in the Pacific Ocean Region (POR). 3. The estimated costs associated with the INTELSAT 802 satellite are as follows: Cost of Spacecraft Manufacture $ 83.2 millions (including delivery price, engineering changes and amendments) Launch Support Services $ 1.3 millions Performance Incentives, Capitalized $ 0.7 millions Performance Incentives, Expenses $ 6.2 millions Management Costs and Support Contracts $ 2.9 millions Ariane 44LP Launch Vehicle & Services $ 86.7 millions Launch phase and Post Separation Insurance $ 27.9 millions TOTAL INTELSAT cost $ 208.9 millions TOTAL COMSAT cost (based on current ownership share of 17.97%) $ 37.5 millions 4. The Commission has already determined that Comsat's participation in the procurement of the INTELSAT VIII satellites is required to meet traffic requirements. We therefore find that the public interest will be served by a grant of Comsat's application for the launch of the INTELSAT 802 satellite as conditioned. 5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Comsat's application to participate in the launch and test program of the INTELSAT 802 satellite to be positioned at 174ø East Longitude, IS GRANTED subject to the following terms and conditions: (a) This authorization is limited to the described program. Any change in the authorized location due to a launch delay or other circumstances will be considered upon a proper request by Comsat; (b) Comsat shall furnish via the INTELSAT 802 satellite only those channels of communication for commercial service which have been, or may be, authorized by separate order of the Commission under Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; (c) All operations during the testing program will be coordinated with potentially affected operations, and any instances of interference will be resolved immediately; (d) Within 30 days after completion of the testing program, Comsat shall provide the Commission with a summary report of its results and, upon request, shall make the detailed test data available; (e) Conduct of the program authorized herein shall be without interruption of commercial satellite service now authorized at U.S. earth stations; (f) Neither this authorization nor any right granted herein shall be assigned or otherwise transferred without approval of the Commission; and (g) Unless extended or modified for good cause, this authorization shall terminate one year after the release date of this order. 6. This order is issued under Section 0.261 of the Commission's Rules and is effective upon adoption. Petitions for reconsideration under Section 1.106 or applications for review under Section 1.115 of the Commission's Rules may be filed within 30 days of the date of public notice of this order (See Section 1.4(b)(2)). FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Thomas S. Tycz Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division International Bureau