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Message-Id:  <Pine.3.89.9511171057.B1560-0100000@lan.vita.org>
Date:         Fri, 17 Nov 1995 10:41:51 -0500
Reply-To: Joe Sedlak <jsedlak@LAN.VITA.ORG>
Sender: Technology Transfer in International Development
              <DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
From: Joe Sedlak <jsedlak@LAN.VITA.ORG>
Subject:      News about VITAsat
To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 1995
Joe Sedlak, VITA   703/276-1800

                   VITA taps final analysis to advance service mission

      ARLINGTON, VA--Henry R Norman, president of Volunteers in Technical Assistance, Inc.
      (VITA) and Nader Modanlo, president of Final Analysis Inc. announced today an agreement
      to put VITA's humanitarian mission to bring communications services to developing nations
      back on schedule.  VITA has secured rights to transponders that will fly aboard Final Analysis'
      FAISAT satellite scheduled for launch in early 1996. This FAISAT is currently authorized for
      experimental operations.

      Norman said, "We are very pleased with the agreement between VITA and Final Analysis
      reached less than three months after the destruction of VITAsat-I during its launch.  The new
      satellite is very sophisticated, and will enable VITA to carry out its mission to extend
      communications to rural areas of developing countries, and help bring them into the mainstream
      of development." Norman cited areas of anticipated benefit such as health care, distance
      education, disaster relief, and other activities in which timely information is critical.

      Modanlo noted that " this agreement is a welcome departure from the competitive battles we've
      seen in the telecommunications industry this past year.  Here was an opportunity to work
      together with a fellow applicant.  The spirit of cooperation and understanding that surrounded
      these discussions bodes well for a long term union of benefit to both our organizations.  No
      posturing, just good business."

      Under an Experimental Radio Station Construction Permit and license granted in August, Final
      Analysis is readying its FAISAT craft for launch.  By adding additional transponders, the
      FAISAT will accomplish Final Analysis' experimentation mission, and at the same time, fully
      meet VITA's humanitarian aims by serving as VITA's replacement satellite.

      Contingent upon FCC authorization, Final Analysis will incorporate additional transponders and
      operational systems which conform to VITA's specifications for VITAsat-IR.  They will be kept
      entirely separate from the transponders and operational systems used to conduct Final Analysis'
      experimentation program, and VITA will be the sole owner of these transponders for as long
      as the satellite is operational.  VITA will direct the operation of its transponders and the use
      of the signals.

      According to Michael H. Ahan, Final Analysis executive vice president, "Our FAISAT design
      provides the range of geographic coverage and communications capacity that VITA needs.
      Since we are a full service firm, we will provide ground system support and operational support
      in addition to the launch segment.  We will work closely with VITA to produce ground units
      specifically designed for their e-mail application.  We are confident of our ability to meet both
      their schedule and cost parameters." Final Analysis will provide the tracking, telemetry, and
      command services necessary to perform orbital maintenance, attitude control and housekeeping
      of the satellite.

      A prototype earth station and user terminals will be designed by Final Analysis in accordance
      with VITA's requirements.  VITA's network will include gateway earth stations, appropriate
      interfaces  to the lnternet, and field terminals to its user community for educational,
      humanitarian and development purposes.

      Richard Butler, former Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union, and
      a Director of VITA, commented in Geneva today: "This agreement brings together two
      pioneers--VITA, the recipient of the Federal Communications Commission Pioneers Preference
      Award, and Final Analysis, the pioneer in U.S.-Russian space communications relations.  This
      agreement paves the way for expanding the communications infrastructure in developing
      countries."