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                                                                                                                             DA 98-
1134

                                BEFORE THE
                     FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C.  20554

In the Matter of                                      )
                                                      )
COMSAT CORPORATION                           )  File No. CSS-95-003                       
                                                      )
Application for authority to participate              )
in the launch of the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-5)   )

                          ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

     Adopted:  June 15, 1998                                   Released:  June 15, 1998

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 20, 1994, for authority to participate in the launch and in-orbit testing of the
INTELSAT VIII-A (F-5) satellite.  INTELSAT's initial deployment plan called for the launch of this spacecraft
in April 1997 for deployment to the 110.5ø East Longitude (E.L.) orbital  location in the Asia-Pacific Region
(APR).  It's current plan, however, is for the satellite to be deployed to 304.5ø E.L.  The application appeared on
the Commission's Public Notice on January 11, 1995.  No comments were received.

       2.  Comsat filed a supplemental letter dated January 21, 1998, indicating that the current INTELSAT
VIII-A (F-5) deployment plan shows a launch scheduled to take place on June 12, 1998, utilizing an Atlas IIAS
launch vehicle.  In accordance with the revised plan, the in-orbit testing will occur at 304.5ø E.L. for four to five
weeks.  Following the in-orbit testing and barring prior launch or in-orbit contingencies, the INTELSAT VIII-A
(F-5) satellite will remain positioned at the nominal location of  304.5ø E.L. to provide international services. 

       3.  The estimated costs associated with the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-5) satellite are as follows:

            Lockheed Martin Contract Price                  $  82.6 million

            Lockheed Martin Launch Support                         $   1.5 million

            Spacecraft Performance Incentives, Capitalized         $   1.0 million

            Spacecraft Performance Incentives, Expenses            $   9.6 million

            INTELSAT Management and Support Contracts Costs $   2.8 million          




            Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS Launch Vehicle and Services $  90.0 million

            Launch and Post-Separation Insurance                   $  32.2 million

            TOTAL INTELSAT cost                             $ 219.7 million

            TOTAL COMSAT cost (based on current
             ownership share of 17.95%)                            $   39.4 million
       
       4.   We find that the public interest will be served by the grant of Comsat's application for the launch
and in-orbit testing of the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-5) satellite.  Accordingly,  IT IS ORDERED that Comsat's
application to participate in the launch and test program of the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-5) satellite at 304.5ø E.L.
IS GRANTED subject to the following terms and conditions:

       (a) This  authorization is limited to the launch and in-orbit testing program at 304.5ø E.L.  Any change in
the authorized location due to a launch delay or other circumstances will be considered upon a proper request
by Comsat;

       (b) 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;

       (c) Conduct of the launch and in-orbit testing program authorized herein shall be without interruption of
commercial satellite service now authorized at U.S. earth stations;

       (d) Neither this authorization nor any right granted herein shall be assigned or otherwise transferred
without approval of the Commission; and

       (e) Unless extended or modified for  good  cause, this authorization shall terminate one year after the
release date of this order.

       5. This order is issued pursuant to Section 0.261 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R.  0.261, 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, 47 C.F.R.  1.106 and  1.115, may be filed within 30 days of the
date of this order (See 47 C.F.R.  1.4(b)(2)).

                                                          FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION




                                                          Thomas S. Tycz
                                                          Chief, Satellite and 
                                                             Radiocommunication Division
                                                          International Bureau