$// O&A, Comsat, Launch Authority, DA 95-538  //$
$/ 300.214 Extension of Lines /$
$/ 400.201 Implementation of Policy /$
$/ 400.401 Applicability of Communications Act of 1934 /$
$///DA 95-538 3/20/95///$
///newjob///                                                DA 95-538

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

In the Matter of                            )
                                            )
COMSAT CORPORATION                          )  File No. CSS-90-008-LA          
                                            )
Application for authority to participate    )
in the launch of the INTELSAT VII (F-5)     )

                          ORDER AND AUTHORIZATION

     Adopted:  March 16, 1995              Released:March 22, 1995

By the Chief, Satellite and Radiocommunication Division:

    1. The Commission has under consideration the above-captioned application
filed by the Communications Satellite Corporation (now COMSAT Corporation) on May
18, 1990, and supplemented on September 6, 1990 and February 17, 1995, for
authority to participate in the launch, positioning and in-orbit testing of the
INTELSAT VII (F-5) satellite, hereinafter referred to as the INTELSAT 705
satellite.  The application appeared on the Commission's Public Notice on June
20, 1990.  Comments were received by Pan American Satellite (PAS) on July 20,
1990. 

     2.  Authority to construct and operate the INTELSAT 705 satellite was
granted in an order released February 5, 1990.  The satellite has been
constructed and delivered. Current INTELSAT deployment plans approved by the
INTELSAT Board of Governors at its September 1994 meeting call for the launch to
take place on March 19, 1995, utilizing an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle.  This
satellite will replace the INTELSAT VM (F-6) at 310ø East Longitude in the
Atlantic Ocean Region (AOR).  

     3.  The estimated costs associated with the INTELSAT 705 satellite are as
follows (all amounts in real year dollars):


            SS/Loral Contract                          $  80.7 million

            SS/Launch Support                          $   2.9 million

            Performance incentives, Capitalized        $   2.7 million

            Performance incentives, Expensed           $  24.1 million

            Support Contracts                          $   3.4 million

            Launch Services Atlas IIAS                 $  96.7 million

            TOTAL INTELSAT cost                        $ 210.5 million

            TOTAL COMSAT cost (based on current
             ownership share of 20.13%)                $  42.4 million
     
     
     4.   The Commission has already determined that Comsat's participation in
the procurement of the INTELSAT VII 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 705 satellite as
conditioned.   

     5.  Accordingly,  IT IS ORDERED that Comsat's application to participate
in the launch and test program of the INTELSAT 705 satellite to be positioned at
310ø 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 705 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) 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;

       (d) Conduct of the 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 six months 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