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."

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.