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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************************** DA 97-2037 BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) COMSAT CORPORATION ) File No. CSS-94-008 ) Application for authority to participate ) in the launch of the INTELSAT VIII (F-4) ) ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION Adopted: September 19, 1997 Released: September 23, 1997 By the Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division: 1. The Commission has under consideration the above-captioned application filed by the COMSAT Corporation (Comsat) on December 16, 1993, for authority to participate in the launch, positioning and in-orbit testing of the INTELSAT VIII (F-4) satellite, now referred to as the INTELSAT 804 satellite. INTELSAT's initial deployment plans called for the launch of this spacecraft in November 1996 for deployment to the 338.5ø East Longitude (E.L.) orbital location. Current plans, however, are for the satellite to be deployed to 64ø E.L. The application appeared on the Commission's Public Notice on December 22, 1993. No comments were received. 2. Authority for COMSAT to participate in the procurement of INTELSAT 804 satellite was granted in an order (FCC File No. CSS-93-009) adopted concurrently September 19, 1997. Comsat filed supplemental letters dated September 3, and September 15, 1997, indicating that INTELSAT suffered the launch failure of the INTELSAT 708 satellite in February 1996 resulting in changes to INTELSAT's deployment plan. The current INTELSAT deployment plans call for the launch of the INTELSAT 804 satellite to take place in November-December time-frame, utilizing an Ariane 44P launch vehicle. Current plans also call for approximately five weeks of in-orbit testing of the spacecraft bus and communications payload systems prior to initiation of service. The in-orbit testing of the bus will be accomplished while the INTELSAT 804 satellite is drifting towards a temporary location at 47ø East Longitude (E.L.). After the tests have been successfully completed, the 804 satellite will be relocated via a drift maneuver from that test location to its operating position of 64ø E.L. in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), releasing the INTELSAT 801 satellite. 3. The estimated costs associated with the INTELSAT 804 satellite are as follows (all amounts in real year dollars): Cost of Spacecraft Manufacture (including delivery price, engineering changes and amendments) $ 53.4 million Launch Support Services $ 1.5 million Performance Incentives, Capitalized $ 0.9 million Performance Incentives, Expenses $ 8.2 million Management Costs and Support Contracts $ 3.1 million Ariane 44P Launch Vehicle and Services $ 82.5 million Launch and Post-Separation Insurance $ 27.1 million TOTAL INTELSAT cost $ 176.7 million TOTAL COMSAT cost (based on current ownership share of 17.96%) $ 31.7 million 4. The Commission has already determined that Comsat's participation in the procurement of the INTELSAT VIII satellites is required to replace an existing satellite and to meet projected 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 804 satellite as conditioned. 5. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Comsat's application to participate in the launch and test program of the INTELSAT 804 satellite to be positioned at 64ø 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 for authority; (b) Comsat shall furnish via the INTELSAT 804 satellite only those channels of communication for commercial service which have been, or may be, authorized by 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 testing the satellite, 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