Hey all you Shant-haters, looky here:
(DULLES, VA 8 JUNE 1998) -- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NASDAQ: ORBI) announced today that VisionStar, Inc. has awarded it a contract for two geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) communications satellites and launch services, valued at approximately $260 million. VisionStar, a private company based in New York City, is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer broadband communications services such as high-speed Internet connections and data transmissions, video conferencing and broadcast programming. VisionStar controls a geostationary orbital slot at 113 degrees West longitude, which is located directly over the central United States, enabling the coverage footprint of the satellite to span the entire country, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
Mr. David W. Thompson, Orbital's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased to be selected by VisionStar to build the geostationary satellite that will enable them to fulfill their goal of participating in the fast-growing market for broadband data, high-speed Internet and video communications across the country. The VisionStar contract is another indication that Orbital is a major player in the worldwide market for geostationary satellites, having won this contract in a highly competitive process."
VisionStar selected Orbital's proposal based on the satellite's high-performance characteristics and its lower manufacturing, launch and acquisition costs compared to satellites offered by competitors. The initial design concept for the VisionStar program calls for a satellite in the 2,000 kilogram-class with 30 Ka-band broadcast transponders. Under the contract, Orbital's major responsibilities will be to design and manufacture the initial satellite, begin work on a second spacecraft platform and procure launch services aboard a commercial rocket in the class of an Ariane 4 or 5 for a shared launch, or a Delta III for a single payload mission.
Mr. Shant Hovnanian, VisionStar principal, stated, "We selected Orbital as our satellite manufacturer after evaluating competing proposals and we look forward to a successful satellite construction and launch process, culminating in the commercialization of the VisionStar high-speed data communications project."
Orbital is a $600 million space and information systems company with over 4,000 employees and operations in eight states and several international locations. Headquartered in Dulles, VA, the company designs, manufactures, operates and markets a broad range of affordable space infrastructure systems, satellite access products and satellite services. These include satellites, launch vehicles, sensors and electronics, satellite ground systems and software, satellite-based navigation and communications products, and satellite-delivered fixed and mobile communications and Earth imaging services.
Does this suggest that CVUS may yet revive in some other form (or guise)? |
