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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
May 5, 1999
LORAL ORION, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-22085 52-2008654
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification
incorporation) Number
2440 Research Boulevard, Suite 400, Rockville MD 20850
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(301) 258-8101
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Item 5. Other Events.
Loral Orion, Inc. ("Loral Orion"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Loral
Space & Communications Ltd. ("Loral"), announced on May 5, 1999 that the Orion 3
broadcast video and data communications satellite was placed in a
lower-than-expected orbit after its launch on May 4, 1999 on a Boeing Delta III
rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida. According to Boeing, the Delta
III's second stage apparently failed to complete its second stage burn, and, as
a result, the satellite, manufactured by Hughes Spaces and Communications
Corporation, achieved an orbit well below the planned final altitude. Data from
the satellite is still being received and analyzed to determine the cause of the
failure. Based on current information, however, it appears unlikely that the
satellite will be usable.
The satellite and launch were fully insured for approximately $265
million. DACOM Corporation, a Korean communications company which had purchased
eight transponders on Orion 3 for a total of $89 million, had already made some
pre-payments in the amount of approximetely $35 million. Under Loral Orions's
agreement with DACOM, this amount is subject to refund in the event that Orion 3
fails to commence commercial operation by June 30, 1999.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
LORAL ORION, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: May 7, 1999 By:/s/ Eric J. Zahler
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Eric J. Zahler
Senior Vice President
