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If you need the complete document, download the WordPerfect version or Adobe Acrobat version, if available. ***************************************************************** Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Assignment of Orbital Locations to Space Stations in the Ka-Band ORDER Adopted: May 8, 1997 Released: May 9, 1997 By the Chief, International Bureau: Introduction 1. By this Order, we assign orbit locations to applicants proposing to provide fixed-satellite service ("FSS") from geostationary-satellite orbit ("GSO") satellite systems in the Ka-band. By separate orders adopted today, we authorize the launch and operation of thirteen GSO FSS systems in the Ka-band, comprising 73 satellites. These newly authorized satellites will give rise to a dynamic new satellite market. Background 2. The orbital assignment plan described in Appendix A is the direct result of the applicants' successful efforts to resolve their conflicts over orbital locations for satellites in all portions of the world. First, in May 1996, the applicants agreed to a plan for satellites in the 62ø West Longitude to 175.25ø East Longitude region of the orbital arc. In that same month, the International Bureau adopted an Assignment Order implementing this agreement, noting that its action "was the first step in promoting the use of this new frequency band for commercial satellite usage." We are taking the next step today by implementing the agreement the applicants reached in February 1997 regarding orbit assignments for the remaining satellites. Significantly, this agreement has directly enabled the International Bureau to issue licenses for all GSO FSS satellites on an expedited basis. Discussion 6. In this Order, we assign each authorized satellite to an orbital location as specified in Appendix A. We will entertain requests for changes in the orbital assignments made today only if all of the commercial GSO satellite applicants affected by the change agree. If all affected applicants do not agree, the burden is on the applicant proposing the change to demonstrate that its alternative is preferable to the adopted plan. Any alternative orbital arrangement must be presented to the Commission for approval within 30 days of the release of this Order. Conclusion and Ordering Clauses 9. We find, upon review of the applications and record before us, that pursuant to Section 309 of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C.  309, the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served by adopting the orbital assignment plan contained in Appendix A. 10. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the orbital assignments specified in the Appendix ARE ADOPTED and the licensees of these space stations shall promptly undertake all actions necessary to implement this orbital assignment plan. 11. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the assignment of any orbital location is subject to change by summary order of the Commission on 30 days notice and does not confer any permanent right to the use of the orbit or spectrum. 12. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that these orbital assignments will be effective 30 days after the effective date of our individual Orders on the underlying applications. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Peter F. Cowhey Chief, International Bureau APPENDIX A Ka-Band Orbital Assignment Plan Location Company Band 147ø W.L. Morning Star Satellite Company, L.L.C. 20/30 GHz 127ø W.L. [under consideration] 20/30 GHz 125ø W.L. PanAmSat Licensee Corporation 20/30 GHz 121 ø W.L. Echostar Satellite Corporation 20/30 GHz 115ø W.L. Loral Space & Communications, LTD. 20/30 GHz 113ø W.L. VisionStar, Inc. 20/30 GHz 109.2 ø W.L. KaStar Satellite Communications Corp. 20/30 GHz 105ø W.L. GE American Communications, Inc. 20/30 GHz 101ø W.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 99ø W.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 97ø W.L. Lockheed Martin Corporation 20/30 GHz 95ø W.L. NetSat 28 Company, L.L.C. 20/30 GHz 91ø W.L. Comm, Inc. 20/30 GHz 89ø W.L. Orion Network Systems 20/30 GHz 87ø W.L. Comm, Inc. 20/30 GHz 85ø W.L. GE American Communications, Inc. 20/30 GHz 83ø W.L. Echostar Satellite Corporation 20/30 GHz 81ø W.L. Orion Network Systems 20/30 GHz 77ø W.L. Comm, Inc. 20/30 GHz 75ø W.L. Comm, Inc. 20/30 GHz 73ø W.L. KaStar Satellite Corporation 20/30 GHz 67ø W.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 62ø W.L. Morning Star Satellite Company, L.L.C. 20/30 GHz 58ø W.L. PanAmSat Corporation 20/30 GHz 49ø W.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 47 ø W.L. Orion Atlantic, L.P. 20/30 GHz 21.5ø W.L. Lockheed Martin Corporation 20/30 GHz 17ø W.L. GE American Communications, Inc. 20/30 GHz 25ø E.L. Hughes Communication Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 28ø E.L. Loral Space & Communications, LTD. 20/30 GHz 30ø E.L. Morning Star Satellite Company, L.L.C 20/30 GHz 36ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 38ø E.L. Lockheed Martin Corporation 20/30 GHz 40ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 48ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 54ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 56ø E.L. GE American Communications, Inc. 20/30 GHz 78ø E.L. Orion Network Systems, Inc. 20/30 GHz 101ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 105.5ø E.L. Loral Space & Communications, LTD. 20/30 GHz 107.5ø E.L. Morning Star Satellite Company, L.L.C. 20/30 GHz 111ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 114.5ø E.L. GE American Communications, Inc. 20/30 GHz 124.5ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 126.5ø E.L. Orion Asia Pacific Corporation 20/30 GHz 130ø E.L. Lockheed Martin Corporation 20/30 GHz 149ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 164ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 173ø E.L. Hughes Communications Galaxy, Inc. 20/30 GHz 175.25ø E.L. Lockheed Martin Corporation 20/30 GHz