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                                                                                                    DA 98-418

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

In the Matter of)
     )
COMSAT CORPORATION    )  File No. CSS-95-004                
     )
Application for authority to participate          )
in the launch of the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-6)   )

                          ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

     Adopted:  February  27, 1998                                  Released:  March 2, 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-6) satellite.  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-6) deployment plan shows a launch scheduled to take place on
March 3, 1998, utilizing an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle.  The plan also indicates that the in-
orbit testing will occur at 304.5ø East Longitude (E.L.) for four to five weeks.  Following
the in-orbit testing the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-6) satellite will be located at the 319.5ø E.L.
orbital  location in the Atlantic Ocean Region (AOR) and provide international services. 

     3.  The estimated costs associated with the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-6) satellite are as
follows:

            Lockheed Martin Contract Price        $  73.2 million

            Lockheed Martin Launch Support        $   1.5 million

            Spacecraft Performance Incentives, Capitalized         $   1.0 million

            Spacecraft Performance Incentives, Expenses $   9.7 million

            INTELSAT Management and Support Contracts Costs        $   2.8 million         

            Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS Launch Vehicle and Services $  92.0 million

            Launch and Post-Separation Insurance  $  31.2 million

            TOTAL INTELSAT cost  $ 211.4 million

            TOTAL COMSAT cost (based on current
             ownership share of 17.95%)$   37.9 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-6) satellite. 
Accordingly,  IT IS ORDERED that Comsat's application to participate in the launch and
test program of the INTELSAT VIII-A (F-6) satellite IS GRANTED subject to the following
terms and conditions:

       (a) This  authorization is limited to the launch, in-orbit testing program at 304.5ø E.L.,
and the permanent location of the satellite at the 319.5ø 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) All operations during the testing program will be coordinated with potentially
affected operations, and any instances of interference will be resolved immediately;

       (c) 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;

       (d) 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;

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

       (f) 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