ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS INC/NEW/
10-K, 1999-03-31
RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998    Commission file number  0-22085
                                                                      ---------

                                LORAL ORION, INC.
              ----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                                   52-2008654
- - ------------------------------------                --------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction of                    (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)

          2440 Research Boulevard, Suite 400, Rockville, Maryland 20850
          -------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices )


                                  301-258-8101
               --------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:
          ------------------------------------------------------------
                                      None
                                      ----

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:
          ------------------------------------------------------------
                          11 1/4% Senior Notes Due 2007
                     12 1/2% Senior Discount Notes Due 2007
                                (Title of Class)
                                ----------------

Indicate  by check  mark  whether  the  registrant:  (1) has filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
Yes X No_
- - ---
                                
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [Not Applicable]

The number of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share of the registrant
outstanding  as of March 15, 1999 was 100, all of which were owned,  directly or
indirectly by Loral Space & Communications Ltd.

THE REGISTRANT  MEETS THE  CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL  INSTRUCTION I (1)(a)
AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING WITH THE REDUCED  DISCLOSURE FORMAT
PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION I (2) OF FORM 10-K.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                       -----------------------------------
                                      None



<PAGE>



                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.

GENERAL

     Loral  Orion,  Inc.  ("Orion" or the  "Company"),  formerly  known as Orion
Network  Systems,  Inc. prior to its acquisition by Loral Space & Communications
Ltd.   ("Loral")  on  March  20,  1998,  is  a  rapidly   growing   provider  of
satellite-based  communications services, providing Satellite Capacity Services,
including video distribution and other satellite  transmission services and Data
Network Services, including managed data network services, Internet services and
broadband  data  services.   Orion  believes  that  demand  for  satellite-based
communications services will continue to grow due to the expansion of businesses
beyond  the limit of wide  bandwidth  terrestrial  infrastructure,  accelerating
demand for high speed data and broadband multimedia  services,  and for Internet
and intranet services,  especially outside the United States, increased size and
scope  of  television  programming   distribution,   worldwide  deregulation  of
telecommunications markets and continuing technological advancement.  Satellites
are able to provide reliable, high bandwidth services anywhere in their coverage
areas,  and Orion  believes that it is well  positioned to satisfy market demand
for these services.

     Orion commenced  operations of Orion 1, a high power Ku-band satellite with
34 Ku-band  transponders,  in January  1995.  Orion 1  provides  coverage  of 34
European  countries,  most of the United States and parts of Canada,  Mexico and
North Africa. Through arrangements with local ground operators,  Orion currently
has the ability to deliver network services to and among points in most European
countries,  portions of the United States and a limited number of Latin American
countries.  The Orion 1 satellite's  coverage  reaches all locations  within its
footprint,  enabling  the delivery of  high-speed  data to customers in emerging
markets and remote locations which lack the necessary  infrastructure to support
these services.

     Orion 2, which will be a high power satellite with 38 Ku-band  transponders
for  operation  in the  Atlantic  Ocean  Region,  will expand  Orion's  European
coverage  and extend  coverage to portions of the  Commonwealth  of  Independent
States,  Latin  America,  the  Middle  East and South  Africa.  Orion 2 is being
constructed by Space  Systems/Loral,  Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Orion's
parent,  Loral Space & Communications Ltd. Orion has established an early market
presence in Latin America in preparation  for the launch of Orion 2 scheduled to
occur in the third quarter of 1999.

     Orion 3, which will be a high power satellite with 33 Ku-band  transponders
and 10 C-band  transponders,  will cover broad areas of the Asia Pacific region,
including China, Japan, Korea, India,  Southeast Asia,  Australia,  New Zealand,
Eastern  Russia and Hawaii.  Orion 3's  footprint  will  provide  Orion with the
ability to provide its services between the United States via Hawaii and most of
the Asia Pacific region.  Orion has also established an early market presence in
Asia,  including  entering into an $89 million  contract with DACOM  Corporation
("DACOM")  for  eight of Orion  3's  transponders.  Orion 3 is  scheduled  to be
launched in April 1999.

     In the aggregate, the footprints of Orion 1, Orion 2 and Orion 3 will cover
over 85 percent of the world's population.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Fixed Satellite Services

     Orion provides transmission  capacity to cable and television  programmers,
news and information networks,  telecommunications  companies and other carriers
for a variety of  applications.  A majority  of  Orion's  transmission  capacity
services consist of video services.  The Company  generally offers  transmission
capacity  services  under long term  contracts  and also offers  occasional  use
services for periods of up to a few hundred hours.

Data Services

     Very Small  Aperture  Terminal  ("VSAT")  Services.  Orion's  Digital  Link
service can be designed as a  "point-to-point"  private network service directly
connecting  customer  locations  or  as  a  "point-to-multipoint"   service  for
customers seeking to transmit communications from a central location to numerous
remote  sites.  Dynalink is a service that allows the customer  with  occasional
bandwidth  requirements  to control the  activation  and  deactivation  of links
within a "point-to-point"  or  "point-to-multipoint"  network.  Orion's patented
international data networking service, "Virtual Integrated Sky Network" ("VISN")
is a fully meshed, frame relay-based  satellite network service that dynamically
consolidates  the full  range of voice  and data  applications  through a single
access point.  The service  provides  seamless  connectivity,  not merely from a
central point to up to 254 remote sites, but also among the remote locations.

                                       2
<PAGE>



     Internet  Services.  Orion offers a family of innovative  Internet/intranet
solutions,  responding to international  Internet Service  Providers' (ISPs) and
multinational  corporations' bandwidth and quality of service concerns.  Orion's
WorldCast   (patent   pending)  family  of  services  are  designed  to  provide
cost-effective,   high-performance  connectivity  to  ISPs,  content  providers,
carriers  and  multinational  businesses  needing  access to the North  American
Internet backbone.  WorldCast is a multicast satellite communications technology
that takes  advantage of the broadcast  nature of satellites  and the asymmetric
nature of Internet  traffic.  Worldcast  can be  configured  to provide a hybrid
solution of terrestrial connectivity for small requests sent to the Internet and
a  satellite  connection  for the  larger,  high-bandwidth  files  sent from the
Internet.

ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY BY LORAL

     On March 20, 1998, Orion was acquired by Loral Space & Communications  Ltd.
("Loral"),  through the merger (the  "Merger") of a wholly owned  subsidiary  of
Loral, Loral Satellite  Corporation,  with and into Orion. Loral consummated the
acquisition  by  issuing  18 million  shares of its  common  stock and  assuming
existing  Orion vested  options and  warrants to purchase 1.4 million  shares of
Loral common stock  representing an aggregate  purchase price of $472.5 million.
Orion  was  the  surviving  corporation  of the  Merger  and  thereby  became  a
subsidiary of Loral. At the effective date of the Merger,  Loral contributed its
investment in Orion to Loral Space & Communications  Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Loral, and Orion changed its name to "Loral Orion Network Systems,
Inc." The name has since been changed to "Loral Orion, Inc."

     Following  the  Merger,  the capital  stock of Orion  ceased to be publicly
traded.  However, the Company continues to have registered bonds outstanding and
will continue to have filing requirements with the SEC.

     The foregoing description of the Merger does not purport to be complete and
is  qualified  in its  entirety  by  the  terms  and  conditions  of the  Merger
Agreement, filed as Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2 to Registration Statement No.
333-46407 on Form S-4.

AGREEMENTS WITH LORAL SKYNET

     Orion and Loral Skynet, a division of Loral SpaceCom Corporation,  which is
in turn a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Loral,  have entered into  agreements (the
"Loral Skynet  Agreements")  effective on January 1, 1999,  whereby Loral Skynet
provides to Orion (i) marketing and sales of Satellite  Capacity Services on the
Orion  satellite  network and related  billing  and  administration  of customer
contracts for those services (the "Sales Services") and (ii) telemetry, tracking
and control services for the Orion satellite network (the "Technical  Services",
and together with the Sales  Services,  the  "Services").  Orion will be charged
Loral   Skynet's   costs  for  providing   these   services  plus  a  5  percent
administrative  fee.  Loral Skynet  currently  provides the Services for its own
Telstar satellite network and Technical Services for other third parties.  Orion
believes that it will achieve cost savings as a result of the  consolidation  of
the Services with Loral Skynet pursuant to the Loral Skynet Agreements and allow
Orion to place  greater  resources  and focus on its business of providing  Data
Services.



<PAGE>



SUMMARY SATELLITE DATA

     The following table presents a brief description of the Company's  proposed
satellite network. All satellite systems are subject to international  frequency
coordination  requirements  and must  obtain  appropriate  authority  to provide
service in a given territory.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             ORION 1                      ORION 2                           ORION 3
                                             -------                      -------                           -------

<S>                                <C>                        <C>                                     <C>    
Region Covered...................   Europe, Southeastern      Eastern U.S., Southeastern Canada        China, Japan, Korea, India,
                                    Canada, U.S., East of the Europe, Commonwealth of Independent      Hawaii, Southeast Asia,
                                    Rockies and parts of      States, Middle East, North Africa, Latin Australia, New Zealand,
                                    Mexico                    America and South Africa                 Eastern Russia and Oceania

Expected Launch..................   Operational(1)            Third quarter of 1999                    April 1999
Satellite Manufacturer...........   MMS Space Systems         Space Systems/Loral                      Hughes Space
                                    (subsidiary of Matra
                                    Marconi Space)
Transponders(2)..................   34                        38                                       43

Ku-Band(3).......................   28@0054 MHz               38@0054 MHz                              23@0054 MHz   
                                    6@0036 MHz                                                         2@0027 MHz    
                                                                                                       8@0036 MHz (4)
                                                                                                                     
C-Band(5)........................              --                   --                                 10@0036 MHz   
                                                                                                                     
Usable Bandwidth(6)..............   1728 MHz                  2052 MHz                                 1944 MHz      
                                                                                                                     
EIRP(7)..........................   47 to 52 dBW              47 to 50 dBW                             44 to 52      
                                                                                                       for Ku-Band;
                                                                                                       34 to 38
                                                                                                       for C-band returns

Total Prime Power(8) ............   4500 Watts                7000 Watts                        8000 Watts

Expected End of Useful Life(9)...   2005                      2012                              2013

Approximate Percentage of World
Population Covered by
Satellite(10)....................   17.9%                     27.0%                             57.0%
</TABLE>


(1)  Orion  1 was  launched  on  November  29,  1994  and  commenced  commercial
     operations on January 20, 1995.

(2)  Satellite  transponders  receive  signals up from earth  stations  and then
     convert,  amplify  and  transmit  the  signals  back  down to  other  earth
     stations.

(3)  Ku-band  frequencies  are  higher  than  C-band  frequencies  and are  used
     worldwide for commercial satellite communications.

(4)  Orion has entered into a contract with DACOM under which Orion will provide
     eight  dedicated  transponders  on  Orion 3 for  direct-to-home  television
     service and other satellite services, provided that Orion 3 is delivered in
     orbit and fully operational by June 30, 1999.

(5)  C-band frequencies minimize  interference from atmospheric  conditions such
     as  rain.  C-band  satellites  share  frequencies  with  terrestrial  based
     microwave  systems and therefore  require more  on-ground  coordination  to
     avoid  interference  problems and generally are lower power,  requiring the
     use of large  earth  stations to receive  signals.  A portion of Orion 3 is
     designed to transmit  over  C-band  frequencies,  since Orion 3 is to cover
     areas of Asia where satellite signals experience  significant  interference
     from rain during several months of the year.

(6)  Bandwidth is a measure of the  transponder  resource  which  determines the
     information carrying capacity.  The actual information carrying capacity of
     a transponder is determined by a combination of the transponder's bandwidth
     and radio-frequency ("RF") power.

(7)  Equivalent  isotropic  radiated power ("EIRP") is a measure of the RF power
     of each transponder. Smaller and less expensive earth terminal antennas can
     be used with higher EIRP transponders.


                                       4
<PAGE>


(8)  Total prime power is the total  amount of power that is required to support
     all of the communications and electronics functions of the satellite.

(9)  The  expected  end of a  satellite's  in-orbit  useful life is based on the
     period during which the  satellite's  on board fuel permits  proper station
     keeping  maneuvers for the satellite.  The information for Orion 1 is based
     on 1998 fuel level  estimates.  The  information for Orion 2 and Orion 3 is
     based on their expected launch dates and their respective  construction and
     launch contracts.

(10) The approximate percentages of world population covered or to be covered by
     the Orion satellites are not additive. In the aggregate,  the footprints of
     the Orion satellites would cover over 85 percent of the world's population.

INSURANCE

     Orion has obtained  satellite  in-orbit  insurance for Orion 1 covering the
period  from  August  1998 to August  2003 in an amount  of  approximately  $195
million  providing  protection  against partial or total loss of the satellite's
communications  capability,  including  loss of  transponders,  power,  fuel, or
ability to control the positioning of the satellite.  Orion is in the process of
obtaining  launch and in-orbit  life  insurance for Orion 2 and Orion 3 covering
the period from launch to five years after  launch in an amount of  $261,404,000
for  Orion  2 and  up to  $265,606,000  for  Orion  3.  This  coverage  provides
protection  against  partial  or total  loss of the  satellite's  communications
capability,  including loss of transponders,  power,  fuel or ability to control
the  positioning  of the  satellite.  Launch  and  in-orbit  insurance  for  its
satellites will not protect the Company against business  interruption,  loss or
delay of revenues and similar losses and may not fully reimburse the Company for
its expenditures.

EMPLOYEES

     As of December  31,  1998,  Orion and its  subsidiaries  had 305  full-time
employees, none of whom are subject to collective bargaining agreements.

                 CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY EFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

     This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking  statements within
the  meaning of Section  27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  and
Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended.  In addition,
from time to time,  the  Company  or its  representatives  have made or may make
forward-looking   statements,   orally  or  in  writing.   Such  forward-looking
statements may be included in, but are not limited to,  various  filings made by
the Company or Loral with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases
or oral  statements  made by or with the  approval  of an  authorized  executive
officer of the Company or Loral.  Actual  results could differ  materially  from
those projected or suggested in any forward-looking  statements as a result of a
wide  variety of factors  and  conditions,  including,  but not  limited to, the
factors summarized below.

LAUNCH FAILURES MAY DELAY SOME OF OUR OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE.

     Satellite  launches are risky. About 15% of launch attempts end in failure.
We ordinarily insure against launch failures, but at considerable cost. The cost
and the  availability  of insurance vary depending on market  conditions and the
launch   vehicle  used.   Our  insurance   typically  does  not  cover  business
interruption, and so both launch failures and in-orbit satellite failures result
in uninsured losses. Replacement of a lost satellite typically requires up to 18
months  from the time a  contract  is  executed  until  the  launch  date of the
replacement satellite.

     Orion 3 is  currently  scheduled  to be launched on the second  flight of a
Delta 3 rocket in April  1999.  A Delta 3 rocket  failed  in August  1998 on its
maiden flight.  Although the  manufacturer has assured us that the cause of that
failure has been  identified and corrected,  we can't be certain that the second
flight will succeed.

AFTER LAUNCH,  OUR  SATELLITES  REMAIN  VULNERABLE TO IN-ORBIT FAILURE.

     Random failure of satellite components may result in damage to or loss of a
satellite  before the end of its expected life.  Satellites are carefully  built
and tested and have  certain  redundant  systems  in case of  failure.  However,
in-orbit  failure  may result  from the various  causes,  including  they remain
vulnerable to failure and degradation from hazards in space that include:

                                       5

<PAGE>



     o component failure;
     o loss of power or fuel;
     o inability  to  control  positioning  of the  satellite;  
     o solar  and  other astronomical events; and 
     o space debris.

     Repair of  satellites  in space is not  feasible.  Many factors  affect the
useful lives of satellites.  These factors include the quality of  construction,
gradual degradation of solar panels and the durability of components.  Our Orion
2 and Orion 3 are expected to have useful  live of approximately 16 years and 15
years,  respectively.  At December 31, 1998, Orion 1 has a remaining useful life
of 7 years. Although some failures may be covered in part by insurance, they may
result in uninsured losses as well.

     In November  1995,  a component  on Orion 1  malfunctioned,  resulting in a
2-hour  service  interruption.   The  malfunctioning  component  supported  nine
transponders  serving the European portion of Orion 1's footprint.  Full service
was restored using a back-up component. If that back-up component fails, Orion 1
would lose a significant amount of usable capacity.

IMPACT OF A DELAY IN THE LAUNCH OR OPERATIONS OF ORION 3

     DACOM has agreed to buy eight  transponders on Orion 3 for $89 million.  If
Orion 3 is not launched by May 31, 1999, or if the related  transponders are not
ready for  operation by June 30, 1999,  DACOM can terminate  the  agreement.  If
DACOM were to terminate its transponder  agreement with us due to a delay in the
launch or operation  of Orion 3, we will have to refund  amounts  received  from
DACOM ($35.5  million as of December 31,  1998),  we may not have enough cash to
pay our debt.

WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DEBT.

     We have  approximately  $933  million  of  outstanding  debt.  Our  debt is
non-recourse to Loral.

     If our business plan does not succeed,  our  operations  might not generate
enough cash to pay our obligations.

     Our business is capital intensive.  We are subject to substantial financial
risks from possible delays or reductions in revenue, unforeseen capital needs or
unforeseen expenses. Our ability to satisfy our obligations will depend upon our
future financial performance which is subject to:

     o the successful execution of our business plan;
     o general economic conditions; and
     o financial,    business,   regulatory   and   other   factors,   including
       international conditions.

These factors are to some extent beyond our control.

THERE ARE RISKS IN CONDUCTING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY.

     Much of our business is conducted outside the United States,  which imposes
more  risks.  We could be harmed  financially  and  operationally  by changes in
foreign regulations and telecommunications standards, tariffs or taxes and other
trade barriers.  Customers  outside of the developed world could have difficulty
in obtaining  the U.S.  dollars  they owe us, as a result of exchange  controls.
Additionally, exchange rate fluctuations may adversely affect the ability of our
customers to pay us in U.S. dollars.  Moreover,  if we ever need to pursue legal
remedies against our foreign customers and business partners, we may have to sue
them abroad, where it could be hard for us to enforce our rights.

OUR BUSINESS IS REGULATED, CAUSING UNCERTAINTY AND ADDITIONAL COSTS.

     Our business is regulated by  authorities  in more than 100  jurisdictions,
including the FCC, the International  Telecommunications  Union and the European
Union. As a result,  some of the activities  which are important to our strategy
are beyond our control. The proposed launch and operation of Orion 2 and Orion 3
and our international  service offerings are strategically  important activities
which are regulated by various government and  quasi-government  authorities and
organizations.
                                       6

<PAGE>



     Regulatory authorities in the various jurisdictions in which we operate can
modify,  withdraw or impose  charges or  conditions  upon the licenses  which we
need, and so increase our cost of doing  business.  The regulatory  process also
requires that we negotiate with third parties  operating or intending to operate
satellites at or near orbital  locations  where we place our  satellites so that
the frequencies of the satellites do not interfere.  Because we cannot guarantee
the results of negotiations with third parties,  "frequency  coordination" is an
additional  source of  uncertainty.  We cannot  guarantee  successful  frequency
coordination for our satellites.  In particular,  we have learned that Eutelsat,
which may claim a  priority  filing  with the  International  Telecommunications
Union, has recently placed a satellite that is beyond its useful life at 12.5(0)
W.L,  near the 12(0) W.L.  orbital  location  intended  for Orion 2. If Eutelsat
launches a replacement  satellite  into the 12.5(0) W.L.  orbital  location,  it
would  interfere  with the Orion 2 satellite  at 12(0) W.L. We have entered into
discussions  with  Eutelsat  to resolve  the  issues  relating  to this  orbital
location, however, we cannot guarantee a successful resolution.

     Failure  to  successfully  coordinate  our  satellites'  frequencies  or to
receive other required regulatory approvals could have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and on our results of operations.

WE HAVE MANY COMPETITORS.

     We  compete  with   well-capitalized   companies.   These   companies  have
considerable  financial  resources,  which  they may use to gain  advantages  in
marketing and in  technological  innovation.  This could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and on our results of operations.  Each of our
businesses is subject to intense competition, including from:

          o     several  of the  world's  largest  corporations,  such as Hughes
                Space &  Communications,  Inc., a subsidiary  of General  Motors
                Corporation,  and Lockheed Martin Corporation; 
          o     governments and quasi-government organizations, such as Intelsat
                and Eutelsat;  
          o     companies   with   competitive   services,   such  as   PanAmSat
                Corporation; and
          o     others  using  alternative  technologies,  such  as  terrestrial
                telecommunications  and  cable  television,  who are  constantly
                pursuing  advanced   technologies  in  order  to  enhance  their
                competitive positions.

     We compete for customers  and for market  share.  We also compete for local
regulatory  approval  in places in which  both we and a  competitor  may want to
operate.  We also compete for scarce  frequency  assignments and  geosynchromous
orbital positions.

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

     The  Company is  evaluating  the  potential  effect of the year 2000 on its
information processing systems. It is not known at this time what modifications,
if any, will be required.  All costs  associated with any  modification  will be
expensed as incurred.

     The Company's  Year 2000 Program is  proceeding on schedule.  The Year 2000
 Issue is the result of computer  programs  which were written  using two digits
 rather than four to signify a year (i.e.,  the year 1999 is denoted as "99" and
 not "1999"). Computer progra ms written using only two digits may recognize the
 year  2000  as the  year  1900.  This  could  result  in a  system  failure  or
 miscalculations causing disruption of operations.

     The Company has  implemented a Year 2000 program (the "Year 2000  Program")
for its internal products,  system and equipment,  as well as for key vendor and
customer  supplied  products,  systems and  equipment.  As part of the Year 2000
Program,  the Company is assessing  the Year 2000  capabilities  of, among other
things, its satellite,  ground equipment,  research and development  activities,
and facility management systems. The Year 2000 Program consists of the following
phases:  Inventory of Year 2000 items,  Assessment  (including  prioritization),
Remediation  (including  modification,  upgrading and replacement),  Testing and
Auditing.  This five-step  program is divided into six major  sections  covering
both information and non-information technology systems: 1) business systems, 2)
technical systems, 3) products and services, 4) imbedded  hardware/firmware,  5)
vendor supplied products and 6) customer provided  products.  As of February 28,
1999, the Company has completed  approximately 95 percent of the inventory phase
and  approximately  95 percent of its assessment  phase.  The Company expects to
complete  the first four  phases,  through the testing  phase,  of the Year 2000
Program  during  the third  quarter of 1999,  which is prior to any  anticipated
material  impact on the  operations of the Company.  The fifth phase,  the audit
phase,  commenced in January 1999, and is expected to continue through the third
quarter of 1999 to accommodate re-audits if necessary.

                                       7
<PAGE>



     Both  internal and  external  resources  are being  utilized to execute the
Company's  plan.  The program to address Year 2000 has been underway  since July
1997. The incremental costs incurred to date for this effort by the Company were
approximately  $50,000. Based on the efforts of the Company to date, the Company
anticipates  additional  incremental expenses of approximately  $165,000 will be
incurred to substantially complete the effort.

     Based upon the  accomplishments  to date, no contingency plans are expected
to be needed.  As risks are identified,  contingency plans will be developed and
implemented as necessary.  However, because of the progress achieved to date and
the  Company's  expectations  that its Year 2000 program  will be  substantially
complete in the third quarter of calendar  1999, the Company  believes  adequate
time will be available to insure  alternatives  can be  developed,  assessed and
implemented  prior to a Year 2000 issue having a material negative impact on the
operations  of the  Company.  However,  there  can  be no  assurance  that  such
modifications and conversions, if required, will be completed on a timely basis.

     The cost of the program and the dates on which the Company believes it will
substantially  complete Year 2000  modifications  are based on management's best
estimates.  Such estimates  were derived using software  surveys and programs to
evaluate  calendar date  exposures and numerous  assumptions  of future  events,
including the continued availability of certain resources, third-party year 2000
readiness and other factors.  Because none of these estimates can be guaranteed,
actual results could differ  materially  and adversely  from those  anticipated.
Specific  factors  that  might  cause an  adjustment  of costs  are:  number  of
personnel  trained in this area,  the ability to locate and correct all relevant
computer  codes,  the ability to  validate  supplier  certification  and similar
uncertainties.

     The  Company's  failure to  remediate a material  Year 2000  problem  could
result in an interruption or failure of certain basic business operations. These
failures  could  materially  and  adversely  effect  the  Company's  results  of
operations, liquidity and financial condition. The Company is also assessing the
Year 2000 readiness of key third-party suppliers. Information requests have been
distributed  to such suppliers and replies are being  evaluated.  If the risk is
deemed  material,  on-site  visits to suppliers  will be conducted to verify the
adequacy of the information received. However, due to the general uncertainty of
the  Year  2000  problem,  including  uncertainty  with  regard  to  third-party
suppliers and customers, the Company is unable to determine at this time whether
the  consequences of Year 2000 failures will have an adverse  material impact on
the Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. There can
be no assurance given that the Company's Year 2000 Program will be successful in
avoiding any interruption or failure of certain basic business operations, which
may have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  results of operations or
financial position.

THERE ARE RISKS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.

     Some  statements  or  information  contained  in  this  Form  10-K  are not
historical facts but are  "forward-looking  statements" (as such term is defined
in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). They can be identified
by the use of  forward-looking  words such as  "believes",  "expects",  "plans",
"may", "will", "should", or "anticipates" or their negatives or other variations
of these words or other  comparable  words,  or by  discussions of strategy that
involve  risks and  uncertainties.  Some of the factors  which may cause  future
results and performance to differ from what we may imply here are:

          o     the space environment,  where our satellites operate, is a harsh
                environment;
          o     governments may change regulations or institute new rules, which
                could have an impact on our operations;
          o     we may not successfully  coordinate  satellite  frequencies with
                third parties;
          o     there is severe competition in our business; and
          o     we owe significant amounts of money.

     We warn you that  forward-looking  statements are only predictions.  Actual
events or  results  may  differ  materially  as a result of risks  that we face,
including those set forth elsewhere in this section. These are representative of
factors that could affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES.

     Loral Orion owns seven acres of land in Mt.  Jackson,  Virginia  and leases
approximately  78,000  square feet for office space and its  operations  center.
Management   believes  that  the  facilities  are  sufficient  for  its  current
operations.

                                       8
<PAGE>



ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     While Orion is party to legal and  regulatory  proceedings  incident to its
business,  there are no material legal proceedings  pending or, to the knowledge
of management, threatened against Orion or its subsidiaries.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF  MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.


                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     All of the  Company's  outstanding  common  stock is owned by Loral Space &
Communications Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loral. Therefore, there
is no public  trading  market for the Company's  common  stock.  The Company has
never paid dividends on its common stock. Loral Orion's  indentures  relating to
its Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes include certain restrictions on Loral
Orion's ability to pay dividends or make loans to Loral.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

     Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS.

     Except  for  the  historical  information  contained  herein,  the  matters
discussed in this  Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and Results of Operations,  and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, are forward-looking
statements  within the meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In
addition,  from time to time, Loral Orion, Loral or their  representatives  have
made  or  may  make  forward-looking  statements,  orally  or in  writing.  Such
forward-looking  statements  may be included in, but are not limited to, various
filings  made  by  Loral  Orion  or  Loral  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of an
authorized  executive  officer of Loral  Orion or Loral.  Actual  results  could
differ  materially  from those  projected or  suggested  in any  forward-looking
statements as a result of a wide variety of factors or conditions.

GENERAL

     Loral Orion, Inc. (the "Company" or "Loral Orion"), formerly known as Loral
Orion Network  Systems,  Inc., is a holding company with no assets or operations
other than its  investments in its  subsidiaries.  Through the operations of its
subsidiary   Guarantors,   the   Company's   principal   business  is  providing
satellite-based  communications services for private communications networks and
video  distribution and other satellite  transmission  services.  In 1998, Loral
Orion  organized  its business into two distinct  operating  segments as follows
(see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements):

     Fixed  Satellite  Services:  Leasing  transponder  capacity  and  providing
     value-added  services  to  customers  for a wide  variety of  applications,
     including  the  distribution  of  broadcast  programming,  news  gathering,
     business television, distance learning and direct-to-home ("DTH") services.
     The Company's fixed satellite  services ("FSS") assets,  will be managed by
     Loral Skynet effective January 1, 1999, and

     Data Services:  Business in development,  providing managed  communications
     networks and Internet and intranet services,  using transponder capacity on
     the Loral Skynet Telstar and Loral Orion fleets.

     No  restrictions  exist on the ability of any of the  subsidiaries of Loral
Orion ("Subsidiary Guarantors") other than inconsequential  subsidiaries, to pay
dividends  or make  other  distributions  to the  Company,  except to the extent
provided by law generally  (e.g.,  adequate capital to pay dividends under state
corporate laws).

                                       9
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)

OVERVIEW

     The  Company's  revenues are  principally  generated  from two to five year
contracts  for delivery of  communications  services  derived  principally  from
recurring monthly fees from its customers. The revenues from each contract vary,
depending upon the type of service, amount of capacity, data handling ability of
the  network,  the  number of very small  aperture  terminals  ("VSATs")  (which
generally are owned by the  Company),  value-added  services and other  factors.
Substantially  all of the Company's  contracts are denominated in U.S.  dollars.
The  Company  begins  to  record  revenues  under  its  contracts  upon  service
commencement to customers.

     The services provided by the Company have been subject to decreasing prices
over  recent  years due to  increased  competition.  This  pricing  pressure  is
expected  to  continue  (and  may  accelerate)   for  the  foreseeable   future,
particularly if, as expected,  capacity continues to increase.  The Company will
need to  increase  its  volume of sales in order to  compensate  for such  price
reductions.  The Company believes that customers will increase the data speed in
their  communications  networks  to  support  new  applications,  and that  such
upgrading  of  customer  networks  will  lead to  increased  revenues  that will
mitigate the effect of price reductions. However, there can be no assurance that
this will occur.  The  Company  expects to continue to incur net losses and have
negative cash flow (after  payments for capital  expenditures  and interest) for
the foreseeable future.

     The  Company's  direct  cost of  services  includes  principally  (i) costs
relating to the  installation,  maintenance and licensing of VSAT earth stations
at its  customers'  premises;  (ii)  satellite  lease  payments for  transponder
capacity  (generally  for  services  outside  of the Orion 1  footprint);  (iii)
in-orbit  insurance  premiums;  and (iv)  personnel  costs and travel related to
telemetry,  tracking and control facility ("TT&C"), network monitoring,  network
design and  similar  activities.  Regarding  TT&C  costs,  the Company and Loral
Skynet,  a  division  of  Loral  SpaceCom  Corporation,   which  is  in  turn  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Loral,  have  entered into  agreements  (the "Loral
Skynet Agreements")  effective on January 1, 1999, whereby Loral Skynet provides
to Orion (i)  marketing  and sales of satellite  capacity  services on the Orion
satellite network and related billing and  administration of customer  contracts
for those  services  (the "Sales  Services")  and (ii)  telemetry,  tracking and
control services for the Orion satellite network (the "Technical Services",  and
together with the Sales Services,  the "Services").  Orion will be charged Loral
Skynet's costs for providing these services plus a 5 percent administrative fee.
Loral Skynet  currently  provides  the  Services  for its own Telstar  satellite
network and Technical  Services for other third parties.  Orion believes that it
will achieve cost savings as a result of the  consolidation of the Services with
Loral Skynet  pursuant to the Loral Skynet  Agreements  and allow Orion to place
greater  resources and focus on the business of providing Data  Services,  which
will  increase as the Company's  business  grows.  Sales and marketing  expenses
consist of salaries,  sales  commissions  (including  commissions to third party
sales representatives), travel and promotional expenses. The Company commenced a
significant  expansion of its marketing program in 1997 which continued in 1998.
Due to the complexity of the Company's services,  and the continued expansion of
sales personnel,  sales and marketing  expenses increased  significantly  during
1998. Sales and marketing  expenses are expected to decrease in 1999 as a result
of the Services  agreement  with  Skynet.  General and  administrative  expenses
consist of personnel  costs other than for selling and  engineering  and include
information  systems,  professional  services,  and occupancy costs. These costs
will increase  generally as the Company's  operations  expand.  Depreciation and
amortization  expenses  result  mainly  from  the  depreciation  of the  Orion 1
satellite,  amortization of goodwill and other  intangibles and the depreciation
of VSATs and the  related  equipment  to service  the  expansion  of the private
network communication services business. Interest income is primarily the result
of interest earned on the proceeds from the Company's debt and equity offerings.
Interest costs stem primarily  from the Company's  outstanding  Senior Notes and
Senior Discount Notes.

ORION 2 AND ORION 3

     Orion 2.  During the second  quarter of 1998,  the Company  entered  into a
satellite procurement contract with Space Systems/Loral ("SS/L"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Loral SpaceCom  Corporation for the construction and launch of the
Orion 2 satellite for operation in the Atlantic Ocean region at 12(degree)  W.L.
(the "SS/L  Contract").  The SS/L Contract provides for delivery in-orbit of the
Orion 2 aboard an Ariane 44L launch  vehicle in the third  quarter of 1999.  The
SS/L  satellite  design  provides for 38 Ku-band  transponders  with a footprint
covering  the  Eastern  United  States,   Southeastern   Canada,   Europe,   the
Commonwealth of Independent  States, the Middle East, North and South Africa and
South America.  The Company also notified Matra Marconi Space  ("Matra") that it
cancelled its satellite procurement contract with Matra for the construction and
launch of a satellite for  operation in the Atlantic  Ocean region at 12(degree)
W.L.  (the  "Matra  Contract").  As a result  of the  cancellation  of the Matra
Contract, the Company will have no obligation to make further payments to Matra,
but Matra retained amounts previously paid by the Company of $49.1 million.

                                       10
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)

     The Company  believes that the Orion 2 satellite  being  procured from SS/L
offers significant  benefits compared to the Matra satellite.  Orion's cash will
be used to fund the SS/L Contract up to an amount that when added to the amounts
previously  paid to Matra,  will not exceed $202 million,  the total amount that
would  otherwise  have  been  due to Matra if the  Matra  Contract  had not been
canceled. Any requirements to SS/L in excess of $202 million for Orion 2 will be
funded  with  additional   equity   contributed   from  Loral.   Moreover,   the
SS/L-designed satellite is both larger and more powerful than the Matra-designed
satellite.  The SS/L  satellite  will have 8  additional  transponders  and will
provide greater  transmitted power to Orion's  customers.  The expected in-orbit
life of the SS/L  satellite is  approximately  16 years compared to 13 years for
the  Matra  satellite.  The SS/L  satellite  is  designed  to  provide  enhanced
transponder  switching  capabilities as compared to the Matra satellite and also
allows for both uplinking and  downlinking of  transmissions  from South Africa,
while the Matra satellite would not have allowed for uplinking.

     Orion 3. The Company  entered into a satellite  contract  with Hughes Space
and Communications  International,  Inc. in 1997 for the construction and launch
of Orion 3. The  contract  provides  for delivery in orbit of Orion 3 for a firm
fixed price of $203 million excluding launch insurance. Orion 3 will cover broad
areas of the Asia Pacific region including China, Japan, Korea,  Southeast Asia,
Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Russia and Hawaii.

     Pre-Construction  Sale of  Transponders on Orion 3. The Company has entered
into  a  contract  with  DACOM  Corporation,  a  Korean  communications  company
("DACOM"), under which DACOM will, subject to certain conditions, purchase eight
dedicated  transponders on Orion 3 for 13 years, in return for approximately $89
million, payable over a period from December 1996 through seven months following
the lease commencement date for the transponders. Payments are subject to refund
if Orion 3 fails to commence  commercial  operation  by June 30,  1999.  Through
December 31, 1998, the Company has received $35.5 million from DACOM,  including
interest earned on the investment of these payments of $1.5 million.

     Satellite Launch and Operation Risk. There can be no assurance that Orion 2
or Orion 3 will be  successfully  launched or operate in  accordance  with their
design.   While  the  Company  intends  to  procure  launch  insurance  for  the
satellites,  a total or partial loss of either satellite will involve delays and
loss of  revenue  which  will  impair  the  Company's  ability  to  service  its
indebtedness  and such insurance will not protect the Company  against  business
interruption,  loss or delay of  revenues  or  similar  losses and may not fully
reimburse the Company for its expenditures.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     On March 20, 1998,  Orion Network Systems,  Inc.  ("Orion") was acquired by
Loral Space & Communications Ltd.  ("Loral"),  through the merger (the "Merger")
of a wholly owned  subsidiary of Loral,  Loral  Satellite  Corporation  ("Merger
Sub"),  with and into Orion.  Loral  consummated  the  acquisition by issuing 18
million  shares of its common stock and assuming  existing  Orion vested options
and warrants to purchase 1.4 million  shares of Loral common stock  representing
an  aggregate  purchase  price  of  $472.5  million.  Orion  was  the  surviving
corporation  (the  "Surviving  Corporation")  of the Merger and thereby became a
wholly owned  subsidiary of Loral.  At the effective  date of the Merger,  Loral
contributed its investment in Orion to Loral Space & Communications Corporation,
a wholly owned  subsidiary of Loral,  and Orion changed its name to "Loral Orion
Network Systems, Inc." The name has since been changed to "Loral Orion, Inc."

     Following  the  Merger,  the  capital  stock of Loral  Orion  ceased  to be
publicly  traded.  However,  the  Company  continued  to have  registered  bonds
outstanding and will continue to have filing requirements with the SEC.

     For accounting purposes,  the Merger was accounted for as of March 31, 1998
using the  purchase  method.  Accordingly,  the  consolidated  balance  sheet at
December 31, 1998 reflects the push-down of the purchase price allocations.  The
purchase price  represented  $447.7 million in excess of Orion's net book value,
which was  primarily  allocated  to costs in excess of net  assets  acquired  of
$619.7  million and a fair value  adjustment  of $153.4  million to increase the
carrying value of Orion's senior notes and senior discount notes.

                                       11
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)

     Acquisition  of  Teleport  Europe  GmbH.  On March 26,  1997,  the  Company
acquired   German-based   Teleport   Europe  GmbH  (a   communications   company
specializing in private satellite  networks for voice and data services),  whose
name was subsequently  changed to Loral Orion-Europe GmbH ("Orion Europe").  The
Company  has  consolidated  the  operations  of Orion  Europe for the year ended
December  31,  1997,  retroactively  to  January  1,  1997.  The  effect of this
consolidation  on operations  prior to acquisition was to increase  consolidated
revenues by  approximately  $4.1 million,  increase total operating  expenses by
approximately $4.0 million and other expenses by approximately $0.7 million. The
preacquisition  loss of Orion Europe of $0.6 million has been  deducted from the
consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997.

     In evaluating financial performance,  management uses revenues and earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as a measure of
a segment's  profit or loss.  The  following  discussion  of revenues and EBITDA
reflects  the  results of Loral  Orion's  operating  segments  for the two years
ending December 31, 1998 and 1997, on a pro forma basis.  Also see Note 8 to the
consolidated financial statements for additional information on segment results.

     In order to  provide  an  understanding  of the  Company,  the  results  of
operations  discusses  the  results  for the year ended  December  31,  1998 and
December 31, 1997,  on a pro forma basis.  The  following  pro forma  results of
operations for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 have been presented to
give the  effect as of  January  1, 1997,  of the  Merger  with  Loral,  and the
Exchange,  the Orion Merger,  and the  Financings  (the  "Transactions")  all as
described in Note 1 to the Company's financial statements. The pro forma results
of  operations  does not purport to present the actual  results of operations of
the Company had the  Transactions in fact occurred on January 1, 1997, nor is it
indicative of the results of operations that may be achieved in the future.

     As a result of these Transactions, the pro forma adjustments resulted in an
increase in depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $3.9 million
and $17.6 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.
This increase  primarily relates to the step up in the book value of Orion 1 and
increased  amortization  expenses  for cost in  excess  of net  assets  acquired
associated with the Loral Merger. The pro forma results for 1998 include a $12.8
million adjustment to eliminate merger costs. Pro forma interest expense for the
years ended  December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $67.1 million and $77.8  million,  a
decrease of $0.4 million and $6.0 million from historical amounts, respectively.
The decrease in interest  expense is primarily  attributable  to the  additional
capitalized  interest costs  attributable to two satellites under  construction,
amortization  of bond  premium  relating to the fair value  adjustments  and the
elimination of the debentures, as a result of the Loral Merger.

                                       12
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)





OPERATING REVENUES (IN MILLIONS):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                                     YEAR ENDED
                                                    PRO FORMA       DECEMBER 31,
                                                   YEAR ENDED           1997
                                                  DECEMBER 31,      PREDECESSOR
                                                      1998            COMPANY
                                                  ------------     -------------

<S>                                               <C>              <C>          
Fixed satellite services  ................        $        33.1    $        31.3
Data services  ...........................                 50.3             41.4
                                                  ------------     -------------
Operating revenues .......................        $        83.4    $        72.7
                                                  =============    =============





EBITDA (1) (IN  MILLIONS):

                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                                     YEAR ENDED
                                                      PRO FORMA     DECEMBER 31,
                                                     YEAR ENDED         1997
                                                    DECEMBER 31,    PREDECESSOR
                                                        1998          COMPANY
                                                   -------------    ------------

Fixed satellite services .................        $        27.9    $       26.5
Data services  ...........................                (18.9)          (21.4)
                                                  ------------     -------------
EBITDA....................................        $         9.0    $        5.1
                                                  =============    =============
</TABLE>
- - ------------------------  
(1) Pro forma EBITDA  (which is  equivalent  to operating  income  (loss) before
depreciation and  amortization) is provided because it is used as the measure of
segment  profit  or  loss  and  because  it is a  measure  commonly  used in the
communications   industry  to  analyze  companies  on  the  basis  of  operating
performance,   leverage   and   liquidity   and  is  presented  to  enhance  the
understanding of Loral Orion's operating results.  However, EBITDA should not be
construed  as an  alternative  to net  income  as an  indicator  of a  company's
operating performance,  or cash flow from operations as a measure of a company's
liquidity.  EBITDA may be  calculated  differently  and,  therefore,  may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

                                       13




<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)


     Revenue and Backlog.  Pro forma  revenues  for the year ended  December 31,
1998 and 1997 were $83.4 million and $72.7 million, respectively, an increase of
$10.7 million or 15 percent. This increase is primarily  attributable to private
communications  network  services  operations,  which added 159  customer  sites
during 1998.

     At December 31, 1998,  the Company had a contracted  backlog  (representing
future  revenues  under  customer  contracts) of  approximately  $308.5  million
compared to $269.5  million at  December  31,  1997,  an increase of 14 percent.
Revenue from contracted backlog is typically earned over two to five years.

     Direct  Expenses.  Direct expenses on a pro forma basis for 1998 were $26.3
million,  or 32 percent of sales  compared  to $26.5  million,  or 36 percent of
sales for the same period in 1997.  This decrease was primarily  attributable to
reduced  Internet access and terrestrial  link charges during the fourth quarter
of  1998.   These  costs  support  the   Worldcast   Internet   access   product
("Worldcast"),  which provides international internet connectivity through Orion
1.

     Sales and Marketing  Expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses on a pro forma
basis were $25.1  million for the year ended  December 31, 1998,  as compared to
$19.4  million  for the same period in 1997,  an increase of $5.7  million or 29
percent.  This  increase  primarily  relates to  additional  sales  salaries and
commissions,  independent  contractor fees and  advertising  associated with the
growth in the private communications network service business and Worldcast.

     Engineering  and Technical  Services  Expenses.  Engineering  and technical
services expenses on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 1998 were
$8.4 million  compared to $7.8 million for the same period in 1997,  an increase
of $0.6 million or 8 percent.  These  increases  are primarily due to additional
salaries associated with support of Worldcast.

     General Administrative  Expenses.  General and administrative expenses on a
pro forma  basis  were  $14.5  million  for the year ended  December  31,  1998,
compared  to $14.0  million  for the same  period in 1997,  an  increase of $0.5
million or 4 percent.

     Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization  expense on a
pro forma  basis for the  years  ended  December  31,  1998 and 1997 were  $67.8
million  and $65.8  million,  respectively,  an  increase  of $2.0  million or 3
percent. The increase was primarily a result of depreciation of ground equipment
to service the expansion of the private network communication services business.

     Merger Costs.  Merger costs  associated with the acquisition of the Company
by Loral were $12.8  million for the year ended  December 31,  1998,  which were
eliminated in the pro forma adjustments.

     Interest.  Pro forma  interest  income was $14.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998,  compared to $24.7  million for the same period in 1997.  The
decrease in interest  income is due to a  reduction  in the balance  held in the
Company's  segregated and restricted funds, which were used for the construction
of satellites and to fund interest  payments on the Company's  senior notes. Pro
forma interest  expense for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $67.1
million and $77.8  million,  respectively.  The decrease in interest  expense is
primarily attributable to the additional capitalized interest costs attributable
to two satellites under  construction,  amortization of bond premium relating to
the fair value adjustments and the elimination of the debentures, as a result of
the Loral Merger.

     Income  Taxes.  The Company is included in the  consolidated  U.S.  federal
income tax return of Loral.  Pursuant to a tax sharing  agreement  for 1998 with
Loral,  the Company is entitled to  reimbursement  for the use of its tax losses
when such losses are  utilized by Loral.  For the year ended  December 31, 1998,
the  Company  recorded  a  receivable  under  this  tax  sharing   agreement  of
approximately  $4.9 million and a deferred tax  provision of $3.8  million.  The
deferred tax asset of $53.9  million on the  accompanying  balance  sheet arises
primarily from the tax effect of the temporary  differences between the carrying
amount of the senior notes and the senior  discount  notes payable for financial
and income tax purposes.

     Net Loss. As a result of the above,  the Company's pro forma net losses for
the years  ended  December  31,  1998 and 1997 were  $110.3  million  and $113.7
million, respectively.

                                       14
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)

RESULTS BY OPERATING SEGMENT

Fixed Satellite Service

     Revenues and EBITDA for the fixed satellite  services  segment  increased 6
percent and 5 percent,  respectively,  in 1998 versus 1997. FSS revenue for 1998
was $33.1  million  versus $31.3  million in 1997.  EBITDA on the same basis was
$27.9  million  in 1998,  or 84  percent  of  revenues,  versus  EBITDA of $26.5
million,  or 85 percent  of  revenues,  in 1997.  Funded  backlog  for the fixed
satellite  services  segment  totaled $164.3 million at the end of 1998,  versus
$163.2 million in backlog at year end 1997.  Capital  expenditures for 1998 were
approximately  $286.9 million.  In 1999,  capital  expenditures  are expected to
decrease due to the expected launches of the Orion 2 and Orion 3 satellites.

     During the fourth quarter of 1998, Loral completed its integration plan for
Loral Orion and  transferred  management  of Loral  Orion's  satellite  capacity
leasing and satellite operations to Loral Skynet,  effective January 1, 1999. In
addition to increasing the operational efficiency, the realignment permits Loral
Orion to focus on and  leverage  its  experience  in the  global  data  services
market.

Data Services

     Revenues for the data  services  segment in 1998 were  approximately  $50.3
million  versus $41.4 million in 1997,  primarily  from Loral Orion's  corporate
data networking and Internet and Intranet services  businesses.  EBITDA for 1998
was a loss of approximately $18.9 million in 1998 versus a loss of $21.4 million
in 1997.  At  December  31,  1998,  funded  backlog  for the  segment was $144.2
million,  at the end of 1998, versus $106.3 at year end 1997, which was all from
external  sources.  Approximately  40 percent of 1998 external funded backlog is
expected to be realized in 1999. Capital expenditures in 1998 were approximately
$15.6 and are estimated to increase in 1999.

OTHER MATTERS

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

     The  Company is  evaluating  the  potential  effect of the year 2000 on its
information processing systems. It is not known at this time what modifications,
if any, will be required.  All costs  associated with any  modification  will be
expensed as incurred.

     The Company's  Year 2000 Program is  proceeding on schedule.  The Year 2000
Issue is the result of computer  programs  which were  written  using two digits
rather than four to signify a year  (i.e.,  the year 1999 is denoted as "99" and
not "1999").  Computer  programs written using only two digits may recognize the
year  2000  as  the  year  1900.  This  could  result  in a  system  failure  or
miscalculations causing disruption of operations.

     The Company has  implemented a Year 2000 program (the "Year 2000  Program")
for its internal products,  system and equipment,  as well as for key vendor and
customer  supplied  products,  systems and  equipment.  As part of the Year 2000
Program,  the Company is assessing  the Year 2000  capabilities  of, among other
things, its satellite,  ground equipment,  research and development  activities,
and facility management systems. The Year 2000 Program consists of the following
phases:  Inventory of Year 2000 items,  Assessment  (including  prioritization),
Remediation  (including  modification,  upgrading and replacement),  Testing and
Auditing.  This five-step  program is divided into six major  sections  covering
both information and non-information technology systems: 1) business systems, 2)
technical systems, 3) products and services, 4) imbedded  hardware/firmware,  5)
vendor supplied products and 6) customer provided  products.  As of February 28,
1999, the Company completed  approximately 95 percent of the inventory phase and
approximately  95  percent  of its  assessment  phase.  The  Company  expects to
complete  the first four  phases,  through the testing  phase,  of the Year 2000
Program  during  the third  quarter of 1999,  which is prior to any  anticipated
material  impact on the  operations of the Company.  The fifth phase,  the audit
phase,  commenced in January 1999,  and is expected  continue  through the third
quarter of 1999 to accommodate re-audits if necessary.

                                       15
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (CONTINUED)

  
     Both  internal and  external  resources  are being  utilized to execute the
Company's  plan.  The program to address Year 2000 has been underway  since July
1997. The incremental  costs incurred to date for this effort by the Company was
approximately  $50,000. Based on the efforts of the Company to date, the Company
anticipates  additional  incremental expenses of approximately  $165,000 will be
incurred to substantially complete the effort.

     Based upon the  accomplishments  to date, no contingency plans are expected
to be needed.  As risks are identified,  contingency plans will be developed and
implemented as necessary.  However, because of the progress achieved to date and
the  Company's  expectations  that its Year 2000 program  will be  substantially
complete in the third quarter of calendar  1999, the Company  believes  adequate
time will be available to insure  alternatives  can be  developed,  assessed and
implemented  prior to a Year 2000 issue having a material negative impact on the
operations  of the  Company.  However,  there  can  be no  assurance  that  such
modifications and conversions, if required, will be completed on a timely basis.

     The cost of the program and the dates on which the Company believes it will
substantially  complete Year 2000  modifications  are based on management's best
estimates.  Such estimates  were derived using software  surveys and programs to
evaluate  calendar date  exposures and numerous  assumptions  of future  events,
including the continued availability of certain resources, third-party year 2000
readiness and other factors.  Because none of these estimates can be guaranteed,
actual results could differ  materially  and adversely  from those  anticipated.
Specific  factors  that  might  cause an  adjustment  of costs  are:  number  of
personnel  trained in this area,  the ability to locate and correct all relevant
computer  codes,  the ability to  validate  supplier  certification  and similar
uncertainties.

     The  Company's  failure to  remediate a material  Year 2000  problem  could
result in an interruption or failure of certain basic business operations. These
failures  could  materially  and  adversely  effect  the  Company's  results  of
operations, liquidity and financial condition. The Company is also assessing the
Year 2000 readiness of key third-party suppliers. Information requests have been
distributed  to such suppliers and replies are being  evaluated.  If the risk is
deemed  material,  on-site  visits to suppliers  will be conducted to verify the
adequacy of the information received. However, due to the general uncertainty of
the  Year  2000  problem,  including  uncertainty  with  regard  to  third-party
suppliers and customers, the Company is unable to determine at this time whether
the  consequences of Year 2000 failures will have an adverse  material impact on
the  Company's  results of  operations,  liquidity or financial  condition.  The
Company's  Year 2000  Program  is  expected  to have  considerably  reduced  the
Company's  level of  exposure  in  regard  to  third-party  supplier  Year  2000
problems.  There can be no assurance  given that the Company's Year 2000 Program
will be  successful  in avoiding any  interruption  or failure of certain  basic
business  operations,  which may have a material adverse effect on the Company's
results of operations or financial position.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
133 Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities ("SFAS 133"),
which requires that all derivative  instruments be recorded on the balance sheet
at their fair value.  Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each
period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a
derivative is designated as part of a hedge  transaction and, if it is, the type
of hedge  transaction.  The Company has not yet  determined  the impact that the
adoption  of SFAS 133 will  have on its  earnings  or  financial  position.  The
Company is required to adopt SFAS 133 on January 1, 2000.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest

     As of December 31, 1998, the fair value of the Company's  long-term debt is
estimated  to be $761 million  using quoted  market  prices,  for the  Company's
Senior Notes and Senior  Discount  Notes.  The  long-term  debt  carrying  value
exceeded  fair value by $173  million.  Market risk on debt is  estimated as the
potential  increase in annual interest expense resulting from a hypothetical one
percent increase in the interest rates and amounts to $9 million.

                                       16
<PAGE>



ITEM 8.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



To the Shareholder of Loral Orion, Inc.:


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Loral Orion, Inc.
and its  subsidiaries  (collectively,  the Successor  Company),  a  wholly-owned
subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications  Corporation, as of December 31, 1998
and the related consolidated statements of operations,  changes in stockholders'
equity and cash flows for the nine months ended  December 31, 1998. We have also
audited the  consolidated  statements of  operations,  changes in  stockholders'
equity  and cash  flows of Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc.  and its  subsidiaries
(collectively,  the  Predecessor  Company)  for the three months ended March 31,
1998.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the Successor and
Predecessor Companies'  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform our audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidences supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating overall financial statement presentation.  We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects,  the consolidated  financial position of Loral
Orion,  Inc. and its  subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1998,  and the results of
their  operations  and their cash flows for the nine months  ended  December 31,
1998 in conformity with generally accepted  accounting  principles.  Further, in
our  opinion,  the  Predecessor  Company's   consolidated  financial  statements
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of their
operations  and their cash flows for the three  months  ended  March 31, 1998 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated  financial statements,  the Successor
Company  adopted a new accounting  basis  effective March 31, 1998 in connection
with a change of  ownership  and  recorded net assets as of that date at the new
owner's acquisition cost. Accordingly, the book values of assets and liabilities
and related depreciation,  amortization and interest charges in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1998 and consolidated statement of
operations  for the nine months ended  December 31, 1998,  are not comparable to
those of earlier periods presented.





DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP



Washington, DC
February 16, 1999





                                    17

<PAGE>


ITEM 8 (CONTINUED).

                REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




To the Board of Directors of Loral Orion, Inc.  (formerly Orion Network Systems,
Inc.):

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Loral Orion,
Inc.  (formerly  Orion Network  Systems,  Inc.) as of December 31, 1997, and the
related consolidated  statements of operations,  changes in stockholders' equity
(deficit), and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December
31, 1997.  These financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the Company's
management.  Our  responsibility  is to express  an  opinion on these  financial
statements based on our audits.

     We conducted  our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance about whether the  consolidated  financial  statements are
free of material  misstatement.  An audit includes  examining,  on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An
audit also includes  assessing the accounting  principles  used and  significant
estimates  made by  management,  as well as  evaluating  the  overall  financial
statement  presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable  basis
for our opinion.

     In our opinion,  the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material  respects,  the consolidated  financial position of Loral Orion,
Inc. at December 31, 1997,  and the  consolidated  results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended  December 31, 1997,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



                                             /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Washington, DC
February 20, 1998




                                       18

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (in thousands)






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        --------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         1997
                                                                                                      PREDECESSOR
                                                                              1998                      COMPANY
                                                                        ----------------            ----------------
          
ASSETS

Current assets:                                                          
<S>                                                                      <C>                        <C>           
  Cash and cash equivalents                                              $       35,861             $       70,009
  Restricted assets                                                              50,180                     50,064
  Accounts  receivable (less allowance for doubtful  
     accounts of $1,019 and $734
     at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
     respectively)                                                                15,292                     11,781
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                        4,299                      6,846
                                                                          --------------            ---------------
Total current assets                                                             105,632                    138,700

Restricted and segregated assets                                                  22,675                    306,826

Property and equipment, at cost:
  Land                                                                                74                         74
  Satellite and related equipment                                                263,188                    322,159
  Telecommunications equipment                                                    35,630                     40,654
  Furniture and computer equipment                                                 8,693                      8,627
                                                                                 307,585                    371,514
                                                                          --------------            ---------------
  Less accumulated depreciation                                                  (38,706)                   (77,080)
  Satellite construction in progress, including capitalized
    interest of $20,198 and $7,346 at December 31, 1998
     and 1997,                                                                        
    respectively                                                                 331,861                    106,843
                                                                          --------------            ---------------
  Net property and equipment                                                     600,740                    401,277

Due from Loral                                                                     3,619                         --
Deferred financing costs, net                                                         --                     22,510
Cost in excess of net assets acquired associated
  with the Loral merger, net                                                     608,015                         --
Deferred income taxes                                                             53,915                         --
Other assets, net                                                                 22,908                     27,179
                                                                          --------------            ---------------
    Total assets                                                          $    1,417,504            $       896,492
                                                                          ==============            ===============
</TABLE>

                       See notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                       19


<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (in thousands, except share and par amounts)
                                   (continued)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        --------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         1997
                                                                                                      PREDECESSOR
                                                                              1998                      COMPANY
                                                                        ----------------            ----------------


<S>                                                                      <C>                        <C>           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  (DEFICIT)

Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt                                      $        1,826             $        6,406
  Accounts payable                                                                2,035                      5,231
  Accrued and other current liabilities                                          16,162                     11,604
  Customer deposits                                                               7,897                      2,801
  Deferred revenue                                                               35,841                      3,320
  Interest payable                                                               22,842                     24,771
                                                                         --------------             --------------
    Total current liabilities                                                    86,603                     54,133

Long-term debt                                                                  931,669                    790,671
Other long-term liabilities                                                         141                     21,803

Series A 8% Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock,
  $.01 par value; 15,000 shares authorized; 0 and 6,933 shares                        
  issued and outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively,
  plus accrued dividends                                                             --
Series B 8% Cumulative  Redeemable  Convertible Preferred Stock, 
  $.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; 0 and 2,059 shares issued 
  and outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, 
  plus accrued dividends                                                             --                      2,467

Series C 6% Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, 
  $.01 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 0 and 82,641 shares issued
  and outstanding at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
  respectively, plus accrued dividends and accretion                                 --                     65,654

Commitments and contingencies:
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 1,000 and 40,000,000 shares
  authorized;  100 and 15,959,089 outstanding at December 31,
  1998 and 1997, respectively                                                        --                        160
  Capital in excess of par value                                                481,791                    153,294
  Treasury stock, 0 and 269,274 shares at December 31, 1998
    and 1997, respectively                                                           --                        (91)
  Unearned compensation                                                          (3,347)                        --
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                                     616                       (956)
  Accumulated deficit                                                           (79,969)                  (199,256)
                                                                         --------------             --------------
    Total stockholders' equity (deficit)                                        399,091                    (46,849)
                                                                         --------------             --------------

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)                 $    1,417,504            $       896,492
                                                                         ==============             ==============
</TABLE>

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       20

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (in thousands)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                         ------------------------------------------------------
                                                       NINE MONTHS         THREE MONTHS           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ENDED                ENDED         ----------------------------------
                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1998      MARCH 31, 1998           1997                1996
                                                   -------------------    ---------------    ---------------   ----------------
<S>                                                <C>                    <C>                <C>               <C>             
Service revenue                                    $            64,608    $        18,790    $        72,741   $         41,847

Operating expenses:
  Direct                                                        19,906              6,406             26,531             15,457
  Sales and marketing                                           19,365              5,790             19,424             11,465
  Engineering and technical services                             6,486              1,898              7,750              5,191
  General and administrative                                    10,834              3,707             13,956              9,139
  Depreciation and amortization                                 51,434             12,483             48,161             36,948
  Merger costs                                                     612             12,145                 --                 --
                                                   -------------------    ---------------    ---------------   ----------------
       Total operating expenses                                108,637             42,429            115,822             78,200
                                                   -------------------    ---------------    ---------------   ----------------
Loss from operations                                           (44,029)           (23,639)           (43,081)           (36,353)

Interest (income)                                               (9,299)            (5,425)           (24,711)            (2,314)
Interest expense                                                46,439             21,190             83,769             27,764
Other (income) expense                                            (167)               287                507                 23
                                                   -------------------    ---------------    ---------------   ----------------
Loss before income taxes, extraordinary loss
on  extinguishment of debt, minority interest and 
preacquisition loss of acquired subsidiary                     (81,002)           (39,691)          (102,646)           (61,826)

Income tax benefit                                               1,033                 --                 --                 --

Extraordinary loss on extinguishment
  of  debt                                                          --                 --            (15,763)                --

Limited Partners' interest in the net loss of
  Orion Atlantic                                                    --                 --             12,043             34,631

Preacquisition loss of acquired subsidiary                          --                 --                626                 --
                                                   -------------------    ---------------    ---------------   ----------------
Net loss                                                       (79,969)           (39,691)          (105,740)           (27,195)

Preferred stock dividend, net of forfeitures                        --             (1,387)             6,034              1,370
                                                   -------------------    ---------------    ---------------   ----------------

Net loss attributable to common stockholders       $           (79,969)   $       (38,304)   $      (111,774)  $        (28,565)
                                                   ===================    ===============    ===============   ================ 
</TABLE>



                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.





<PAGE>



                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                 (in thousands)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            COMMON STOCK                                                    
                                                            --------------    CAPITAL IN                                    
                                                 NUMBER                       EXCESS OF       ACCUMULATED       TREASURY    
                                               OF SHARES     AMOUNT           PAR VALUE         DEFICIT         STOCK 1     
                                               ---------     ------           ---------         -------         -------     
                                                                                                                            
Balance December 31, 1995
<S>                                                <C>       <C>              <C>            <C>               <C>          
  (Predecessor Company)                            11,116    $        111     $    85,486    $     (58,917)    $        --  
  Conversion of preferred stock                        91               1             804               --              --  
  Issuance of stock warrants                           --              --             300               --              --  
  Exercise of stock options and warrants               38              --             342               --              --  
  Preferred stock dividend, net of                     --              --              --           (1,370)             --  
    forfeitures
  1996 net loss                                        --              --              --          (27,195)             --  
                                              ------------  --------------  --------------  ----------------  ------------  
Balance December 31, 1996
  (Predecessor Company)                            11,245             112          86,932          (87,482)             --  
  Issuance of common stock                             11              --             142               --              --  
  Conversion of preferred stock                     3,352              34          38,812               --              --  
  Conversion of debentures                            735               7          10,285               --              --  
  Issuance of common stock for the
    purchase of APSC                                   86               1           1,199               --              --  
  Issuance of common stock for
    interest payments                                 205               2           2,623               --              --  
  Issuance of common stock for preferred              121               1           2,069                                   
    stock dividend payments                                                                             --              --  
  Issuance of warrants relating to  Senior
    Notes and Senior                                   --              --           9,224               --              --  
Discount Notes, net
  Exercise of stock options and warrants              176               2           1,764               --              --  
  Employee stock purchase plan                         28               1             244               --              --  
  Preferred stock dividend and
    accretion, net of forfeitures                      --              --              --           (6,034)             --  
  Purchase of treasury stock                           --              --              --               --             (91) 
  1997 net loss                                        --              --              --         (105,740)             --  
  Other comprehensive loss                             --              --              --               --              --  
  Comprehensive loss                                   --              --              --               --              --  
Balance December 31, 1997
  (Predecessor Company)                            15,959   $         160   $     153,294   $     (199,256)    $       (91) 
                                              ============  ==============  ==============  ================  ============  
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  ACCUMULATED
                                                                     OTHER             TOTAL
                                                  UNEARNED       COMPREHENSIVE     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                COMPENSATION     INCOME (LOSS)        EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                                ------------     -------------     -------------------
                                                                               
Balance December 31, 1995
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>          
  (Predecessor Company)                         $          --    $          --     $      26,680
  Conversion of preferred stock                            --               --               805
  Issuance of stock warrants                               --               --               300
  Exercise of stock options and warrants                   --               --               342
  Preferred stock dividend, net of                         --               --            (1,370)
    forfeitures
  1996 net loss                                            --               --           (27,195)
                                                --------------   --------------    --------------
Balance December 31, 1996
  (Predecessor Company)                                    --               --              (438)
  Issuance of common stock                                 --               --               142
  Conversion of preferred stock                            --               --            38,846
  Conversion of debentures                                 --               --            10,292
  Issuance of common stock for the
    purchase of APSC                                       --               --             1,200
  Issuance of common stock for
    interest payments                                      --               --             2,625
  Issuance of common stock for preferred                                                   2,070
    stock dividend payments                                --               --
  Issuance of warrants relating to  Senior
    Notes and Senior                                       --               --             9,224
Discount Notes, net
  Exercise of stock options and warrants                   --               --             1,766
  Employee stock purchase plan                             --               --               245
  Preferred stock dividend and
    accretion, net of forfeitures                          --               --            (6,034)
  Purchase of treasury stock                               --               --               (91)
  1997 net loss                                            --               --
  Other comprehensive loss                                 --             (956)
  Comprehensive loss                                       --               --          (106,696)
Balance December 31, 1997
  (Predecessor Company)                         $          --    $        (956)   $      (46,849)
                                               ===============   ==============   ===============
</TABLE>

    See notes to consolidated financial statements. (continued on next page)

                                       22
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                   (continued)
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             COMMON STOCK                                                  
                                                            --------------    CAPITAL IN                                   
                                                 NUMBER                       EXCESS OF       ACCUMULATED        TREASURY  
                                               OF SHARES     AMOUNT            PAR VALUE         DEFICIT         STOCK (1) 
                                               ---------     ------            ---------         -------         --------- 
                                                                                                                 
<S>                                            <C>         <C>             <C>             <C>               <C>           
Balance December 31, 1997                                                                                                  
  (Predecessor Company)                            15,959   $          160  $     153,294   $      (199,256)  $        (91)
  Issuance of common stock                             14               --            246                --             -- 
  Conversion of preferred stock                     5,739               57         69,831                --             -- 
  Conversion of debentures                          3,572               36         49,964                --             -- 
  Issuance of common stock for interest
    payments                                          184                2          2,577                --             -- 
  Issuance of common stock for
    preferred stock dividend payments                 316                3          5,455                --             -- 
  Exercise of stock options and warrants              165                2          1,638                --             -- 
  Employee stock purchase plan                         20               --            292                --             -- 
  Preferred stock dividends and
   accretion, net of forfeiture                        --               --             --             1,387             -- 
  Recapitalization related to purchase by         (25,969)            (260)       195,215           237,560             91 
    Loral
  Increase purchase price                              --              --            3,491               --             -- 
  Net loss for the three months ended
    March 31, 1998                                     --               --                          (39,691)            -- 
  Other comprehensive loss                             --               --             --                --             -- 
  Comprehensive Loss                                                                                                       
                                             ------------    ------------   --------------  ---------------   ------------ 
Balance March 31, 1998                                 --   $           --  $     482,003   $            --   $         -- 
                                             ============    ============   ==============  ===============   ============ 
  Amortization of unearned compensation                --               --             --                --             -- 
  Stock option forfeitures                             --               --           (212)               --             -- 
  Net loss for the nine months ended                                   
    December 31, 1998                                  --              --               --          (79,969)            -- 
  Other comprehensive income                           --              --              --                --             -- 
  Comprehensive loss                                   --              --               --               --             -- 
                                             ------------    ------------   --------------  ---------------   ------------ 
Balance December 31, 1998                              --    $         --   $      481,791  $       (79,969)  $         -- 
                                             ============    ============   ==============  ===============   ============ 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                ACCUMULATED
                                                                    OTHER             TOTAL
                                                 UNEARNED      COMPREHENSIVE     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                               COMPENSATION     INCOME (LOSS)    EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                               ------------     -------------    ----------------
                                           
<S>                                         <C>              <C>               <C>            
Balance December 31, 1997                                      
  (Predecessor Company)                    ) $            --  $          (956)  $      (46,849)
  Issuance of common stock                                --               --              246
  Conversion of preferred stock                           --               --           69,888
  Conversion of debentures                                --               --           50,000
  Issuance of common stock for interest
    payments                                              --               --            2,579
  Issuance of common stock for
    preferred stock dividend payments                     --               --            5,458
  Exercise of stock options and warrants                  --               --            1,640
  Employee stock purchase plan                            --               --              292
  Preferred stock dividends and
   accretion, net of forfeiture                           --               --            1,387
  Recapitalization related to purchase by             (4,512)           1,473          429,567
    Loral
  Increase purchase price                                 --               --            3,491
  Net loss for the three months ended
    March 31, 1998                                        --               --
  Other comprehensive loss                                --             (517)
  Comprehensive Loss                                                                   (40,208)
                                             ---------------  ---------------   -------------- 
Balance March 31, 1998                       $        (4,512) $            --   $      477,491
                                             ===============  ===============   ============== 
  Amortization of unearned compensation                  953               --              953
  Stock option forfeitures                               212               --               --
  Net loss for the nine months ended       
    December 31, 1998                                     --               --
  Other comprehensive income                              --              616
  Comprehensive loss                                      --               --          (79,353)
                                             ---------------  ---------------   -------------- 
Balance December 31, 1998                    $        (3,347) $           616   $      399,091
                                             ===============  ===============   ============== 
</TABLE>


- - --------
   
(1) Includes  269,274  treasury  shares of which 259,515 were carried at no cost
through March 31, 1998.




                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       23

<PAGE>
                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                              -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              NINE MONTHS    THREE MONTHS            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------     -----------            ------------------------
                                                                 ENDED            ENDED
                                                              DECEMBER 31,      MARCH 31,
                                                                  1998             1998             1997             1996
                                                            ----------------  ---------------  ---------------  ----------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                                                    
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>             
Net loss                                                     $      (79,969)  $      (39,691)  $      (105,740) $       (27,195)
Adjustments to reconcile  net loss to net cash  
  provided by (used in)  operating activities:
  Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt                           --               --            15,763               --
  Amortization of deferred taxes                                      3,771               --                --               --
  Depreciation and amortization                                      51,434           12,483            48,161           36,948
  Amortization of deferred financing costs                               --              609             2,410            2,131
  Provision for bad debts                                             1,325              150             1,022              919
  Non-cash interest expense                                          24,606           11,048            34,347            2,371
  Interest earned on restricted assets                               (6,896)          (4,629)          (18,203)              --
  Other                                                                (291)           1,644                --              (55)
  Limited Partners' interest in net loss of Orion Atlantic               --               --           (12,043)         (34,631)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Accounts receivable                                             (3,578)          (1,408)           (2,923)          (2,203)
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                         (502)             693            (2,277)            (286)
     Other assets                                                    (1,352)             201            (3,640)             (69)
     Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other
       current liabilities                                           (1,367)          (2,186)           (2,393)          (3,163)
     Interest payable                                                12,403          (12,510)           16,180              579
     Customer deposits                                                5,071               23             1,612              177
     Deferred revenue                                                10,768              297            11,935           12,562
     Due from Loral                                                  (3,619)              --                --               --
                                                             --------------   --------------   ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                  11,804          (33,276)          (15,789)         (11,915)
Investing activities:
Increase in restricted and segregated assets                        (12,000)              --          (419,187)         (10,000)
Uses of and transfers from restricted and segregated                273,960           35,938            90,500               --
assets
Satellite construction costs                                       (270,429)         (14,575)         (102,282)          (3,750)
Capital expenditures                                                (13,667)          (3,805)          (11,062)         (12,625)
Purchase of Teleport Europe GmbH, net of cash acquired                   --               --            (8,375)              --
Other                                                                    --               --                --              (38)
                                                             --------------   --------------   ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                 (22,136)          17,558          (450,406)         (26,413)

Financing activities:
Limited Partners' capital contributions                                  --               --                --           30,135
Debt and equity financing costs                                          --               --           (26,122)          (2,265)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of
  issuance costs                                                         --            2,117             2,153              343
Treasury stock purchase                                                  --               --               (91)              --
Proceeds from issuance of debt                                           --               --           770,397               --
Repayment of senior notes and notes payable                          (2,815)            (254)         (216,723)         (27,802)
Swap termination fee                                                     --               --            (5,288)              --
Payment of satellite incentives                                      (5,861)          (1,302)          (18,621)              --
Other                                                                 1,068           (1,051)           (1,689)          14,993
                                                             --------------   --------------   ---------------  ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                  (7,608)            (490)          504,016           15,404
                                                             --------------   --------------   ---------------  ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                (17,940)         (16,208)           37,821          (22,924)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                     53,801           70,009            32,188           55,112
                                                             --------------   --------------   ---------------  ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                   $       35,861   $       53,801   $        70,009  $        32,188
                                                             ==============   ==============   ===============  ===============
</TABLE>

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       24

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                (Dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

1.   ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

     Loral Orion, Inc. (the "Company" or "Loral Orion"), formerly known as Loral
Orion Network  Systems,  Inc., is a holding company with no assets or operations
other than its  investments in its  subsidiaries.  Through the operations of its
subsidiary   Guarantors,   the   Company's   principal   business  is  providing
satellite-based  communications services for private communications networks and
video  distribution and other satellite  transmission  services.  In 1998, Loral
Orion  organized  its business into two distinct  operating  segments as follows
(see Note 8):

       Fixed  Satellite  Services:  Leasing  transponder  capacity and providing
       value-added  services to customers  for a wide  variety of  applications,
       including the  distribution  of broadcast  programming,  news  gathering,
       business  television,   distance  learning  and  direct-to-home   ("DTH")
       services.  The Company's fixed satellite services ("FSS") assets, will be
       managed by Loral Skynet effective January 1, 1999, and

       Data Services: Business in development,  providing managed communications
       networks and Internet and intranet services,  using transponder  capacity
       on the Loral Skynet Telstar and Loral Orion fleets.

ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY BY LORAL

     On March 20, 1998, Orion Network Systems, Inc. ("Orion" or the "Predecessor
Company") was acquired by Loral Space & Communications Ltd.  ("Loral"),  through
the merger (the "Merger") of a wholly owned subsidiary of Loral, Loral Satellite
Corporation   ("Merger  Sub"),  with  and  into  Orion.  Loral  consummated  the
acquisition  by  issuing  18 million  shares of its  common  stock and  assuming
existing  Orion vested  options and  warrants to purchase 1.4 million  shares of
Loral common stock  representing an aggregate  purchase price of $472.5 million.
Orion was the surviving corporation (the "Surviving  Corporation") of the Merger
and thereby  became a subsidiary of Loral.  At the effective date of the Merger,
Loral  contributed  its  investment  in Orion to  Loral  Space &  Communications
Corporation,  a wholly owned  subsidiary of Loral, and Orion changed its name to
"Loral Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc." The name has since been changed to "Loral
Orion, Inc."

     The consolidated  financial statements for the three months ended March 31,
1998  and as of and for  the  two  years  ended  December  31,  1997  and  1996,
respectively,  reflect the results of operations of the Predecessor Company. The
consolidated  financial  statements as of and for the nine months ended December
31, 1998  reflect the results of  operations  of Loral  Orion,  Inc.  Hereafter,
references to the "Company"  include both Loral Orion,  Inc and its predecessor,
Orion Network Systems, Inc.

     Following  the  Merger,  the  capital  stock of Loral  Orion  ceased  to be
publicly  traded.  However,  the  Company  continues  to have  registered  bonds
outstanding.

     For accounting purposes, the Merger was accounted for as of March 31, 1998,
using the  purchase  method.  Accordingly,  the  consolidated  balance  sheet at
December 31, 1998 reflects the push-down of the purchase  price  allocations  to
the assets and  liabilities.  The purchase price  represented  $447.7 million in
excess of Orion's  net book value,  which was  primarily  allocated  to costs in
excess of net assets acquired of $619.7 million,  and a fair value adjustment of
$153.4 million to increase the carrying value of Orion's senior notes and senior
discount notes. In addition,  Loral agreed to assume Orion's  unvested  employee
stock  options,  which  resulted  in a new  measurement  date  and  an  unearned
compensation  charge of $4.3 million, to be amortized over the vesting period of
the options.

     Had the  acquisition  of the  Company  occurred  on January  1,  1997,  the
unaudited  pro forma  sales,  operating  loss and net loss for the  years  ended
December  31,  1998 and 1997 would have been $83.4  million  and $72.7  million;
$58.8  million  and $60.7  million;  and  $110.3  million  and  $113.7  million,
respectively.  These  results,  which are based on various  assumptions  are not
necessarily  indicative  of what would have  occurred had the  acquisition  been
consummated on January 1, 1997.



                                       25

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

1.  ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - (CONTINUED)

LORAL ORION SUBSIDIARIES

     All  subsidiaries  of Loral  Orion  ("Subsidiary  Guarantors"),  other than
inconsequential  subsidiaries,  have  unconditionally  guaranteed  the Notes (as
defined  below) on a joint  and  several  basis.  No  restrictions  exist on the
ability of Subsidiary Guarantors to pay dividends or make other distributions to
Loral Orion,  except to the extent  provided by law  generally  (e.g.,  adequate
capital to pay dividends under state corporate laws).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Jurisdiction of Organization
                        Subsidiary Name                                           or Incorporation
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------             ----------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>
Asia Pacific Space and Communications, Ltd.                                          Delaware
(merged with Loral Orion-Asia Pacific, Inc.)

International Private Satellite Partners, L.P.                                       Delaware
(doing business as Orion Atlantic, L.P.)
(merged with Loral Orion Services, Inc.)

Loral Global Services, Inc.                                                          Delaware

Loral Orion-Americas, Inc.                                                           Delaware

Loral Orion-Asia Pacific, Inc.                                                       Delaware
(formerly known as Orion Asia Pacific Corporation)

Loral Orion-Europe, Inc.                                                             Delaware
(formerly known as Orion Atlantic Europe, Inc.)

Loral Orion Global Services, Inc.                                                    Delaware

Orion Oldco Services, Inc.                                                           Delaware
(formerly known as Orion Network Systems, Inc.)

OrionNet Finance Corporation                                                         Delaware

OrionNet, Inc.                                                                       Delaware

Loral Orion Services, Inc.                                                           Delaware
(formerly known as Orion Satellite Corporation)

Loral Orion-Europe GmbH                                                  Federal Republic of Germany
(formerly known as Teleport Europe GmbH)
</TABLE>

     Each of the  Subsidiary  Guarantors  is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the
Company.  The  Subsidiary  Guarantors  comprise  all of the direct and  indirect
subsidiaries of the Company (other than inconsequential subsidiaries).  Separate
financial  statements  of the  Subsidiary  Guarantors  are  not  required  to be
presented.

ACQUISITION OF ORION ATLANTIC LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS IN THE EXCHANGE

     Through  January 31,  1997,  Orion  Satellite  Corporation  (whose name was
previously  changed to Loral Orion Services,  Inc.) was the sole general partner
in Orion Atlantic L.P. ("Orion  Atlantic") and Loral Orion had a combined 41 2/3
percent equity interest in Orion Atlantic.  As a result of Loral Orion's control
of Orion Atlantic,  Loral Orion's consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of Orion Atlantic.  All of Orion  Atlantic's  revenues and expenses are
included in Loral Orion's consolidated  financial  statements,  with appropriate
adjustment to reflect the interests of the Limited  Partners in Orion Atlantic's
losses prior to the Exchange as described  below.  Loral Orion  acquired all the
remaining interests in Orion Atlantic

                                       26
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

1.  ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - (CONTINUED)

on January 31,  1997  during the  Exchange as  described  below.  Loral  Orion's
consolidated  financial  statements  also  include  the  accounts  of all  other
subsidiaries of Loral Orion.

     On January 31, 1997,  the Company  acquired all of the limited  partnership
interests  which  it did  not  already  own in the  Company's  former  operating
subsidiary, Orion Atlantic, that owned the Orion 1 satellite prior to its merger
with Loral Orion Services,  Inc.  Specifically,  the Company  acquired the Orion
Atlantic limited partnership interests and other rights relating thereto held by
British  Aerospace  Communications,   Inc.,  COM  DEV  Satellite  Communications
Limited,   Kingston  Communications   International  Limited,   Lockheed  Martin
Commercial  Launch  Services,  Inc.,  MCN Sat US,  Inc.,  an  affiliate of Matra
Hachette, and Trans-Atlantic Satellite,  Inc., an affiliate of Nissho Iwai Corp.
(collectively,  the  "Exchanging  Partners").  The  Company  accounted  for this
transaction  as  an  acquisition  of  minority   interest,   and  as  a  result,
approximately  $34.3  million was allocated to the cost of the Orion 1 satellite
and related equipment.

     Pursuant to a Section 351 Exchange  Agreement and Plan of  Conversion  (the
"Exchange  Agreement"),  the Exchanging  Partners exchanged their Orion Atlantic
limited partnership interests for 123,172 shares of a newly created class of the
Company's Series C Preferred Stock (the  "Exchange").  In addition,  the Company
acquired  certain rights held by certain of the  Exchanging  Partners to receive
repayment  of  various  advances  (aggregating  approximately  $41.6  million at
January 31, 1997. The 123,172  shares of Series C Preferred  Stock issued in the
Exchange were convertible  into  approximately 7 million shares of the Company's
common stock.  As a result of the Exchange,  certain of the Exchanging  Partners
became  principal  stockholders  of the  Company.  The  exchange is described in
greater  detail under the caption "The  Merger,  the Exchange and the  Debenture
Investments" in the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-4 (Registration
No. 333-19795).

     The Exchange  and the  acquisition  by the Company of the only  outstanding
minority   interest  in  the  Company's   subsidiary   Asia  Pacific  Space  and
Communications,  Ltd.  from British  Aerospace  Satellite  Investments,  Inc. on
January 8, 1997 (in exchange for  approximately  86,000  shares of the Company's
common stock)  resulted in the Company  owning 100 percent of Orion Atlantic and
its  other  significant   subsidiaries  and,  therefore,  a  greatly  simplified
corporate structure.

THE ORION MERGER

     The Exchange was conducted on a tax-free  basis by means of an Orion Merger
(defined  below)  that was  consummated  on January  31,  1997.  Pursuant to the
Exchange Agreement,  Orion Oldco Services, Inc., formerly known as Orion Network
Systems,  Inc. ("Old Orion"),  formed the Company as a new Delaware  corporation
with a certificate of incorporation,  bylaws and capital structure substantially
identical in all material respects with those of Old Orion. Also pursuant to the
Exchange Agreement, the Company formed a wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Orion Merger
Company, Inc. ("Orion Merger Subsidiary").  Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Merger,  Orion  Merger  Subsidiary  was merged with and into Old Orion,  and Old
Orion became a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company (the "Orion Merger").  On
January  31,  1997,  the  effective  time  of  the  Orion  Merger,  all  of  the
stockholders  of Old Orion  received  stock in the  Company  with  substantially
identical rights to the Old Orion stock they held prior to the effective time of
the Orion Merger.  Following the Orion Merger, the Company changed its name from
Orion Newco  Services,  Inc. to Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc. and the Company's
wholly-owned  subsidiary Orion Network  Systems,  Inc. changed its name to Orion
Oldco  Services,  Inc. The  Exchange  and Orion Merger are  described in greater
detail under the caption "The Merger, the Exchange and Debenture Investments" in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-19795).

FINANCINGS

     On January 31, 1997,  the Company  completed a $710  million bond  offering
(the "Bond  Offering")  comprised of  approximately  $445 million of Senior Note
Units,  each of which  consists  of one 11.25  percent  Senior  Note due 2007 (a
"Senior  Note") and one Warrant to purchase  0.8463 shares of common stock,  par
value $.01 per share ("Common  Stock") of the Company (a "Senior Note Warrant"),
and  approximately  $265.4 million of Senior Discount Note Units,  each of which
consists of one 12.5 percent Senior  Discount Note due 2007 (a "Senior  Discount
Note," and  together  with the Senior  Notes,  the  "Notes")  and one Warrant to
purchase  0.6628 shares of Common Stock of the Company (a "Senior  Discount Note
Warrant,  and together with Senior Note Warrants,  the "Warrants").  Interest on
the Senior Notes will be payable semi-annually in cash on January 15 and July 15
of each year,  with the first payment made on July 15, 1997. The Senior Discount
Notes  will not pay cash  interest  prior to July  15,  2002.  Thereafter,  cash
interest  will accrue until  maturity at an annual rate of 12.5 percent  payable
semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year,  commencing July 15, 2002.
The exercise price


                                       27
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

1.  ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - (CONTINUED)

for the  Warrants  will be $.01 per share of common  stock.  There were  697,400
Warrants issued in connection with the Notes (see Note 6).

     In addition,  on January 31, 1997,  the Company also  completed the sale of
$60 million of its convertible junior subordinated debentures (the "Debentures")
to two investors,  British Aerospace  Holdings,  Inc. ("British  Aerospace") and
Matra  Marconi  Space UK Limited  ("Matra  Marconi  Space").  British  Aerospace
purchased $50 million of the  Debentures  and Matra Marconi Space  purchased $10
million of the Debentures (collectively, the "Debentures Offering", and together
with the Bond Offering,  the "Financings").  The Convertible  Debentures were to
mature in 2012,  and bore  interest at a rate of 8.75 percent per annum  payable
semi-annually in arrears solely in Common Stock of the Company.  The Convertible
Debentures were subordinated to all other indebtedness of the Company, including
the  Notes.  Prior  to the  acquisition  of the  Company  by  Loral,  all of the
debentures had been converted to common stock.

     The net proceeds of the Bond Offering and Debentures  Offering were used by
the Company to repay the Orion 1 credit facility, pre-fund the first three years
of  interest  payments  on certain  of the Notes,  and will be used to build and
launch two additional satellites, Orion 2 and Orion 3.

     The  extraordinary  loss on extinguishment of debt of $15.8 million in 1997
was the result of expensing unamortized deferred financing costs associated with
the Orion 1 credit facility which was refinanced with the proceeds from the Bond
Offering and termination of a interest rate cap agreement.

ACQUISITION OF TELEPORT EUROPE GMBH

     On March 26, 1997, the Company acquired  German-based  Teleport Europe GmbH
(now known as Loral  Orion-Europe  GmbH) ("Loral Orion Europe") a communications
company  specializing in private satellite networks for voice and data services.
The  Company  purchased  the  shares of Loral  Orion  Europe  held by the German
companies,  Vebacom  GmbH  and RWE  Telliance  AG,  now  known  as  o.tel.o  for
approximately $9 million. In addition, the Company acquired Loral Orion Europe's
licenses and operating  agreements to provide  satellite  network services in 40
countries,  including  17  countries  in which the  Company  previously  did not
provide service. The net purchase price of Orion Europe was $8.4 million and was
allocated as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        (in thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>         
Working capital deficit, net of cash acquired....       $      (683)
Property and equipment ...........................            9,346
Other, net ......................................              (288)
                                                        -----------
                                                        $     8,375
                                                        ===========
</TABLE>

The pro forma effect on net loss assuming the acquisition  took place January 1,
1997 was not material.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

CONSOLIDATION POLICY

     The  consolidated  financial  statements for the nine months ended December
31, 1998,  for the three  months  ended March 31,  1998,  and for the year ended
December 31, 1997,  include the accounts of Loral Orion,  Inc., its wholly-owned
subsidiaries and Orion Financial Partnership (OFP), in which Loral Orion holds a
50 percent interest.  The consolidated  financial  statements for the year ended
December  31,  1996,  include  the  accounts  of  Orion,  its  two  wholly-owned
subsidiaries  OrionNet,  Inc.  (OrionNet) and Orion Network Services,  Inc., its
former 83 percent owned subsidiary,  Asia Pacific Space and Communications  Ltd.
(Asia Pacific),  the OFP, in which Orion holds a 50 percent interest,  and Orion
Atlantic, in which Orion held a 41 2/3 percent ownership interest. Orion Network
Services,  Inc. as the general partner of Orion Atlantic,  exercised  control of
Orion  Atlantic  through  the  provisions  of  the  partnership  agreement.  All
significant  intercompany  accounts and transactions  have been  eliminated.  In
January 1997, all of the outside interest in these entities,  except for outside
interests of OFP, were acquired.

                                       28
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - (CONTINUED)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     Orion considers all highly liquid investments  purchased with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Cash and cash equivalents includes
(in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                                       1997
                                                                     PREDECESSOR
                                                         1998         COMPANY
                                                     -----------  --------------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>           
                   Cash ..................      $        3,919    $        2,256
                   Money market funds ....               4,985             2,544
                   Commercial paper ......              26,957            65,209
                                                --------------    --------------
                                                $       35,861    $       70,009
                                                ==============    ==============
</TABLE>

RESTRICTED AND SEGREGATED ASSETS

     Restricted and segregated assets are classified as held to maturity and are
recorded at cost and consist of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                                       1997
                                                                     PREDECESSOR
                                                         1998         COMPANY
                                                     -----------  --------------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>           
U.S. treasury notes ....................       $       72,855    $      117,800
Commercial paper .......................                   --           216,697
Time deposits...........................                   --            22,393
Total restricted and segregated assets .               72,855           356,890
Less current portion ...................              (50,180)          (50,064)
                                               --------------    --------------
Long-term portion ......................       $       22,675    $      306,826
                                               ==============    ===============
</TABLE>

     Included  in  restricted  and  segregated  assets is $2.1  million and $3.7
million of accrued  interest at December  31, 1998 and 1997,  respectively.  The
balance at December 31, 1998 is restricted for use for interest  payments on the
Senior Notes through January 2000. The U.S.  treasury notes held at December 31,
1998 mature between January 1999 and January 2000.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

     Financial   instruments   which   potentially   subject   Loral   Orion  to
concentrations of credit risk consist  principally of cash and cash equivalents,
restricted and segregated assets and accounts receivable. The Company's cash and
cash  equivalents  and  restricted and  segregated  assets are  maintained  with
high-credit-quality financial institutions.  Management believes that its credit
evaluation,  approval and monitoring  processes combined with negotiated billing
arrangements  mitigate  potential  credit  risks  with  regard to the  Company's
current customer base.

                                       29

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (CONTINUED)

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are carried at cost except for the Orion 1 satellite
which is recorded at estimated  fair market value as of March 31, 1998, the date
of the Loral Merger.  Depreciation expense is calculated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>       
              Satellite and related equipment..............    10.5 years
              Telecommunications equipment.................    2-7 years
              Furniture and computer equipment.............    2-7 years
</TABLE>

     Costs  incurred  in  connection  with  the   construction   and  successful
deployment of the Orion 1 satellite and related equipment are capitalized.  Such
costs include direct  contract cost,  allocated  indirect  costs,  launch costs,
launch  insurance,  construction  period  interest  and  the  present  value  of
satellite incentive payments. Similar costs for Orion 2 and Orion 3 are included
in "Satellite  construction in progress."  Orion began  depreciating the Orion 1
satellite over its estimated  useful life  commencing on the date of operational
delivery in orbit, January 1995.

 VALUATION OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND COSTS IN EXCESS OF NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

     The carrying value of Loral Orion's  long-lived  assets and costs in excess
of net assets acquired is reviewed for impairment  whenever events or changes in
circumstances  indicate that an asset may not be recoverable.  The Company looks
to current and future profitability,  as well as current and future undiscounted
cash flows,  excluding financing costs, as primary indicators of recoverability.
If an  impairment  is  determined  to  exist,  any  related  impairment  loss is
calculated based on fair value.

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS

     Deferred  financing  costs  related  to a debt  financing  that  was  being
amortized  over the  period the debt was  expected  to be  outstanding.  The net
deferred financing costs outstanding at March 31, 1998 were written off to costs
in excess of net assets acquired  associated with the Loral Merger.  Accumulated
amortization   at  December  31,  1998  and  1997  was  $0  and  $2.3   million,
respectively.  Deferred financing costs of $10.5 million relating to the Orion 1
Credit  Facility were expensed in January 1997 in connection with the Financings
and are included in the caption  "Extraordinary  loss on extinguishment of debt"
for 1997.

COST IN EXCESS OF NET ASSETS ACQUIRED

     Cost in excess of net assets acquired associated with the Merger with Loral
amounted to $619.7  million,  which is being  amortized  over 40 years using the
straight-line method. Accumulated amortization relating to cost in excess of net
assets acquired at December 31, 1998 was $11.7 million.

OTHER ASSETS

     Intangibles  assets  associated with the Loral Merger in 1998 are primarily
amortized  over the  remaining  useful life of Orion 1, which was  approximately
seven years at December  31,  1998.  The net  goodwill at December  31, 1997 was
written off to costs in excess of net assets acquired  associated with the Loral
Merger.  Accumulated  amortization relating to other assets at December 31, 1998
and 1997 was $2.6 million and $6.2 million,  respectively. The Company amortizes
the FCC License  application  costs related to Orion 1 over the estimated useful
life of the satellite.

                                       30


<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (CONTINUED)

Other  assets,  net of  amortization  as of December  31, 1998 and 1997,  was as
follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         DECEMBER 31,            
                                                                 ------------------------------ 
                                                                                     1997        
                                                                                  PREDECESSOR    
                                                                     1998           COMPANY       
                                                                 ----------- ------------------ 
                                                                

<S>                                                              <C>              <C>            
Goodwill (related to prior acquisition)..................        $           --   $        20,332
Note receivable .........................................                 2,476             3,039
FCC license application costs ...........................                 1,767             1,781
Intangible assets .......................................                15,261                --
Other  ..................................................                 3,404             2,027
                                                                 --------------   ---------------
                                                                 $       22,908   $        27,179
                                                                 ==============   ===============
</TABLE>


FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

     Results of operations for foreign  entities,  primarily the Company's Loral
Orion-Europe GmbH subsidiary, are translated using average exchange rates during
the period.  Assets and  liabilities  are  translated to U.S.  dollars using the
exchange  rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  The  resulting  translation
adjustments are reflected in stockholders' equity (deficit) as accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss).

INTEREST RATE MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

     Orion  entered into an  interest-rate  swap and cap agreement to modify the
interest  characteristics  of the Orion 1 Credit  Facility  from a floating to a
fixed-rate basis. This agreement involved the receipt of floating rate amount in
exchange for fixed-rate interest payments over the life of the agreement without
an  exchange  of the  underlying  principal  amount.  The  differential  paid or
received  was  accrued  as  interest  rates  changed  and was  recognized  as an
adjustment  to interest  expense.  The fair value of the swap  agreement was not
recognized in the financial statements. This agreement was terminated in January
1997 in connection  with the Financings  discussed in Note 1. The Company had no
such agreements in place at December 31, 1998 or 1997.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

     Revenue is recognized  as earned in the period in which  telecommunications
and related services are provided.

     The following  summarizes the Company's  domestic and foreign  revenues (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                             -----------------------------------------------
                                             NINE MONTHS      THREE MONTHS       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                ENDED            ENDED         -----------------------------
                                            DECEMBER 31,        MARCH 31,
                                                1998              1998              1997             1996
                                            ------------     ------------      -------------    ------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>         
Revenues from unaffiliated customers:
    United States.......................     $     24,001    $       6,895     $     30,927     $     21,262
    Germany ...........................            14,617            4,517           15,437               --
    Other foreign ......................           25,990            7,378           22,284           14,572
Revenues from related parties...........               --               --            4,093            6,013
                                            -------------    -------------     ------------     ------------
Total services revenue..................     $     64,608    $      18,790     $     72,741     $     41,847
                                            =============    =============     ============     ============
</TABLE>

                                       31

<PAGE>



                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (CONTINUED)

INCOME TAXES

     The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected
future consequences of temporary differences between financial reporting and tax
bases of assets and  liabilities  using enacted tax rates that will be in effect
when the differences are expected to reverse.

     Following is a summary of components  of the net deferred  asset balance at
December 31, 1998 and 1997 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                         --------------------------------
                                                                              1997
                                                                          PREDECESSOR
                                                             1998           COMPANY
                                                        --------------   ----------------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>           
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward .................       $       78,642    $       61,648
Amortization of premium and discount on                                   
  Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes ........               69,203            11,917
Amortization of intangibles .....................                 (928)            2,947
Other ...........................................                4,560             3,385
                                                        --------------    --------------
                                                               151,477            79,897
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation ....................................               (3,678)          (16,289)
Other ...........................................                 (351)             (741)
                                                        --------------    --------------
                                                                (4,029)          (17,030)
                                                        --------------    --------------
Net deferred tax asset ..........................              147,448            62,867

Valuation allowance..............................              (93,533)          (62,867)
                                                        --------------    --------------
Net deferred tax asset, after
  valuation allowance............................       $       53,915    $          --
                                                        ==============    ==============          
</TABLE>

     At December 31, 1998, Loral Orion had  approximately  $225.9 million in net
operating  loss  carryforwards  which expire at varying  dates from 2004 through
2013.  The use of these loss  carryforwards,  may be limited  under the Internal
Revenue Code as a result of ownership changes experienced by Loral Orion. Due to
uncertainty  regarding its ability to realize the benefits of such net operating
loss  carryforwards  and certain  other net  deferred  tax  assets,  the Company
established a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets of $93.5 million.

     In 1998, the Company is included in the U.S.  federal income tax return for
Loral.  Pursuant to a tax sharing  agreement for 1998 with Loral, the Company is
entitled  to  reimbursement  for the use of its tax losses  when such losses are
utilized by Loral.  For the nine months ended  December  31,  1998,  the Company
recorded a receivable  under this tax sharing  agreement of  approximately  $4.9
million and a deferred tax provision of approximately $3.8 million, resulting in
a net tax benefit of  approximately  $1.1 million.  The Company's  effective tax
benefit  rate (1%)  differs from the federal  statutory  rate (35%),  due to the
valuation  allowance  established  for the  carryforward of the current year tax
loss (29%) and the  non-deductible  amortization of cost in excess of net assets
acquired  (5%).  The  deferred  tax asset of $53.9  million on the  accompanying
balance sheet primarily arises from the tax effect of the temporary  differences
between the carrying  amount of the Senior Notes and the Senior  Discount  Notes
payable for financial and income tax purposes.

                                       32


<PAGE>

                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - (CONTINUED)


STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

     Non-cash  investing and financing  activities  and  supplemental  cash flow
information is (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                                       NINE MONTHS         THREE MONTHS            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ENDED               ENDED            -------------------------------
                                                       DECEMBER 31,         MARCH 31,
                                                           1998                1998                1997                1996
                                                       ------------        -----------         -------------       -----------
<S>                                                   <C>                <C>                 <C>                  <C>            
Property and equipment financed by
   capital leases                                     $            --    $             --    $             --     $           482
Preferred stock dividend, net of forfeitures                       --              (1,387)              6,034               1,370
Conversion of redeemable preferred stock to
   common stock                                                    --              69,888              38,846                 805
Conversion of subordinated debentures,
   accrued interest and deferred financing
   costs to common stock                                           --              50,000              10,292                  --
Conversion of Company common stock to
   Loral common stock as the result of the
   Loral Merger                                                    --             469,000                  --                  --
Issuance of Series C preferred stock                               --                  --              94,000                  --
Issuance of common stock for preferred
   stock dividend                                                  --               5,458               2,070                  --
Issuance of common stock and warrants                              --               4,757              13,407                 300
Interest paid                                                  25,551              25,237              35,573              20,619
Acquisition of Teleport Europe, net of
   cash acquired                                                   --                  --               8,375                  --
</TABLE>



     Included in accounts  receivable and other current  liabilities at December
31,  1998 and March 31,  1998 are  customer  deposits  and up front fees of $3.4
million and in $1.1 million, respectively.

USE OF ESTIMATES

     The  preparation  of financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that affect the amounts  reported in the financial  statements  and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

         Earnings  per  share  is  not  presented  since  it is  not  considered
meaningful due to the Loral Merger and the recapitalization of the Company.


                                       33

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - (CONTINUED)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     On January 1, 1998, the Company adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standards  No.  130,   Reporting   Comprehensive   Income  ("SFAS  130"),  which
established  rules for the reporting and disclosure of comprehensive  income and
its components.  SFAS 130 requires  unrealized  gains or losses on the Company's
foreign currency  translation  adjustments to be included in other comprehensive
income  (loss).  Prior years  amounts  have been  restated.  The  components  of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                NINE MONTHS       THREE MONTHS
                                                   ENDED             ENDED          YEAR ENDED
                                                DECEMBER 31,       MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1998              1998             1997
                                              --------------     -------------     -------------
<S>                                           <C>               <C>               <C>            
Cumulative translation adjustment .......     $          616    $           --    $         (956)
                                              --------------    --------------    --------------
Accumulated other comprehensive
  income (loss) .........................     $          616                --    $         (956)
                                              ==============    ==============    ==============
</TABLE>


ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     For the  year  ended  1998  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 131,  Disclosures  About Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information ("SFAS 131"), see Note 8.

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
133 Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities ("SFAS 133"),
which requires that all derivative  instruments be recorded on the balance sheet
at their fair value.  Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each
period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a
derivative is designated as part of a hedge  transaction and, if it is, the type
of hedge  transaction.  The Company has not yet  determined  the impact that the
adoption  of SFAS 133 will  have on its  earnings  or  financial  position.  The
Company is required to adopt SFAS 133 on January 1, 2000.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

     Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current
year presentation.


                                       34

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

3.  ORION ATLANTIC

     Orion  Atlantic  was a  Delaware  limited  partnership  formed  to  provide
international private communications networks and basic transponder capacity and
capacity  services  (including  ancillary  ground  services) to  businesses  and
institutions with  trans-Atlantic and  intra-European  needs. As of December 31,
1998,  Orion Atlantic  merged with Loral Orion  Services,  Inc. The business was
organized by Orion Network Services,  the general partner of Orion Atlantic. The
principal purposes of Orion Atlantic was to finance the construction, launch and
operation of up to two  telecommunications  satellites in  geosynchronous  orbit
over the  Atlantic  Ocean and to  establish  a  multinational  sales and service
organization.  Eight  international  corporations,  including Orion,  invested a
total of $90  million in equity as limited  partners  in Orion  Atlantic.  Orion
Atlantic  through January 1997, was financed by a credit facility which provided
up  to  $251  million  for  the  first  satellite  from  a  syndicate  of  major
international  banks led by Chase  Manhattan  Bank,  N.A.  In  addition to their
equity  investments,  the Limited  Partners had agreed to lease  capacity on the
satellites  up to an  aggregate  $155  million and had entered  into  additional
contingent capacity lease contracts  ("contingent call") up to an aggregate $271
million,  as support for repayment of the senior debt. The firm capacity  leases
and  contingent  calls were payable  over a seven-year  period after the Orion 1
satellite was placed in service. In July 1995, January and July 1996 the Limited
Partners  (excluding  the Company)  paid $7.6  million,  $18.0 million and $12.1
million, respectively, pursuant to the contingent calls. As discussed in Note 1,
in January 1997, the Company acquired all of the limited  partnership  interests
it did not already own in Orion Atlantic.

     Orion 1 -- The fixed base price of Orion 1, excluding  obligations relating
to satellite performance, aggregated $227 million. In addition to the fixed base
price,  the  contract  required  payments  in lieu of a further  contract  price
increase,  aggregating approximately $44 million through 2007. Such payments are
due,  generally,   if  24  out  of  34  satellite   transponders  are  operating
satisfactorily.  Shortly after  acceptance of the satellite in January 1995, the
Company filed a warranty claim with the satellite  manufacturer  relating to one
transponder that was not performing in accordance with contract  specifications.
In August 1995, Orion Atlantic received a one time refund of $2.75 million which
was applied as a mandatory  prepayment to the senior notes payable -- banks. The
Company believes that since Orion 1 is properly deployed and operational,  based
upon  industry  data  and  experience,  payment  of  the  satellite  performance
obligation is highly  probable and the Company  capitalized the present value of
this  obligation  of  approximately  $14.8  million  as part of the  cost of the
satellite.  The present value was estimated by discounting  the obligation at 14
percent.  As of March  31,  1998,  in  association  with the Loral  Merger,  the
obligation was revalued and recorded at  approximately  $16.2 million using a 12
percent discount rate over the remaining expected term.

     Redemption of STET Partnership Interest; Issuance of New Interest to Orion.
- - -- In November 1995 Orion  Atlantic  redeemed the limited  partnership  interest
held by STET (the "STET  Redemption") for $11.5 million,  including $3.5 million
of cash and $8 million in 12 percent  promissory notes due through 1997.  STET's
firm and  contingent  capacity  leases  remained in place until  released by the
Banks  under  the  Orion  1  Credit   Facility.   STET's  existing   contractual
arrangements  with  Orion  Atlantic  were  modified  in a  number  of  respects,
including (i) a reduction of approximately  $3.5 million in amounts due by Orion
Atlantic to  Telespazio  S.p.A.,  an affiliate of STET,  over a ten-year  period
under  contracts  relating to the  construction  of Orion 2,  back-up  tracking,
telemetry  and  command  services  through a facility  in Italy and  engineering
consulting   services,   (ii)  the   establishment  of  ground   operations  and
distribution  agreements between Orion Atlantic and Telecom Italia, a subsidiary
of STET,  relating to Italy,  and the  granting to Telecom  Italia of  exclusive
marketing rights relating to Italy for a period ending December 1998 conditioned
upon  Telecom  Italia  achieving  certain  sales  quotas,  and  (iii)  canceling
exclusive ground operations and sales  representation  agreements  between Orion
Atlantic and STET (or its affiliates) relating to Eastern Europe.

     Orion  Atlantic  funded  the  STET  Redemption  by  selling  a new  limited
partnership interest to Orion for $8 million (including $3.5 million in cash and
$4.5 million in 12 percent  promissory  notes due through  1997).  In connection
with the STET redemption,  Orion agreed to indemnify Telecom Italia for payments
which were made in July 1995 of  $950,000  and which would be made in the future
under its firm and contingent capacity agreements with Orion Atlantic and posted
a $10 million letter of credit to support such indemnity.  The Company accounted
for this transaction as an acquisition of a minority  interest and, as a result,
approximately  $3.1  million was  allocated to the cost of the Orion 1 satellite
and related equipment.


                                       35

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

3.  ORION ATLANTIC - (CONTINUED)

     During 1995,  Orion Atlantic  entered into  agreements with certain Limited
Partners (including the Company) under which the participating  Limited Partners
voluntarily  gave up their rights to receive  capacity under their firm capacity
agreements through January 1996. The participating Limited Partners continued to
make payments for such capacity but have the right to receive refunds from Orion
Atlantic out of cash  available  after  operating  costs and payments  under the
Credit  Facility.  In addition,  services revenue included $4.1 million and $6.0
million in 1997 and 1996 from  Limited  partners  pursuant to the firm  capacity
commitments, not subject to refund. In connection with the Exchange described in
Note 1, such rights were acquired by the Company.

4.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     Orion 1 -- In November 1995, a portion of the Orion 1 satellite experienced
an  anomaly  that  resulted  in  a  temporary  service   interruption,   lasting
approximately two hours, in the dedicated  capacity serving the European portion
of Orion  Atlantic's  services.  Full  service  to all  affected  customers  was
restored using redundant equipment on the satellite. The Company believes, based
on the data and the Telesat  Report,  that,  because the redundant  component is
functioning fully in accordance with  specifications  and the performance record
of similar  components is strong,  the anomalous  behavior is unlikely to affect
the expected  performance  of the satellite  over its useful life.  Furthermore,
there  has been no  effect on the  Company's  ability  to  provide  services  to
customers.  However,  in the event that the currently operating component fails,
Orion 1 would experience a significant  loss of usable capacity.  In such event,
while the Company would be entitled to insurance  proceeds of approximately  $47
million as of December 1998, and could lease  replacement  capacity and function
as a reseller with respect to such  capacity,  the loss of capacity would have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

     Orion 2 -- In July 1996,  the Company  signed a contract with Matra Marconi
Space  ("Matra") for the  construction  and launch of Orion 2 (which was amended
and restated in January 1997) and in February 1997 Matra commenced  construction
of that satellite. During the second quarter of 1998, the Company entered into a
satellite procurement contract with Space Systems/Loral ("SS/L"), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Loral,  for the  construction  and launch of the Orion 2 satellite
for the  operation  in the  Atlantic  Ocean  region  at 12(0)  W.L.  (the  "SS/L
Conract").  The SS/L  Contract  provides  for  delivery  in-orbit of the Orion 2
satellite  aboard an Ariane 44L launch vehicle in the third quarter of 1999. The
SS/L  satellite  design  provides  for 38 Ku-band  transponder  with a footprint
covering  the  Eastern  United  States,   Southeastern   Canada,   Europe,   the
Commonwealth of Independent  States, the Middle East, North and South Africa and
South America.

     During 1998,  the Company  notified  Matra that it cancelled  its satellite
procurement  contract with Matra for the  construction and launch of a satellite
for operation in the Atlantic Ocean region at 12(0) W.L. (the "Matra Contract").
As a result of the cancellation of the Matra Contract,  the Company will have no
obligation  to make  further  payments  to  Matra,  but Matra  retained  amounts
previously  paid by the  Company  of $49.1  million.  As of March 31,  1998,  in
association with the Loral Merger,  these costs and other internal direct costs,
totaling   approximately  $62  million,   capitalized  in  connection  with  the
construction  of the Orion 2  satellite,  were written off to costs in excess of
net assets acquired.

     The Company  believes that the Orion 2 satellite  being  procured from SS/L
offers significant benefits compared to the Matra satellite.  Loral Orion's cash
will be used to fund the SS/L  Contract up to an amount that,  when added to the
amounts previously paid to Matra, will not exceed $202 million, the total amount
that would  otherwise  have been due to Matra if the Matra Contract had not been
canceled. Any requirements to SS/L in excess of $202 million for Orion 2 will be
funded with additional equity  contributed by Loral.  Through December 31, 1998,
$128.4  million has been paid to SS/L for Orion 2. Moreover,  the  SS/L-designed
satellite is both larger and more  powerful than the  Matra-designed  satellite.
The SS/L satellite will have 8 additional  transponders and will provide greater
transmitted power to Loral Orion's customers.  The expected in-orbit life of the
SS/L  satellite  is  approximately  16 years  compared to 13 years for the Matra
satellite.  The SS/L  satellite  is  designed  to provide  enhanced  transponder
switching  capabilities  as compared to the Matra  satellite and also allows for
both uplinking and  downlinking of  transmissions  from South Africa,  while the
Matra satellite would not have allowed for uplinking.

     Orion  3  --  In  January  1997,  the  Company  entered  into  a  satellite
procurement  contract with Hughes Space for the construction and launch of Orion
3, for which construction  commenced in December 1996. The contract provides for
delivery in orbit of Orion 3, for a firm fixed price of $203 million,  excluding
launch insurance and $8 million of incentive payments.  Orion 3 will cover broad
areas of the Asia Pacific region including China, Japan, Korea,  Southeast Asia,
Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Russia and Hawaii.

                                       36
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

4.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - (CONTINUED)

     In November 1996, Orion entered into a contract with DACOM Corp. ("DACOM"),
a Korean  communications  company,  under which,  subject to certain conditions,
DACOM will purchase eight  dedicated  transponders  on Orion 3 for 13 years,  in
return for approximately  $89 million,  payable over a period from December 1996
through seven months following the lease commencement date for the transponders.
DACOM has  deposited  funds with Orion in accordance  with the  contract.  As of
December 31, 1998,  Loral Orion had received $35.5 million from DACOM  including
interest of $1.5  million.  As of December  31,  1997,  Loral Orion had received
$22.3  million  from DACOM.  Loral Orion  maintained a $22.3  million  letter of
credit which was released on August 1, 1998. Orion had an obligation to maintain
a letter of credit for seven months beginning on the lease  commencement date in
the  amount  of $44.8  million.  Payments  are  subject  to refund  pending  the
successful launch and commencement of commercial operation of Orion 3.

     Agreements  with Loral  Skynet - During the fourth  quarter of 1998,  Loral
completed its  integration  plan for Loral Orion and  transferred  management of
Loral  Orion's  satellite  capacity  leasing and  satellite  operations to Loral
Skynet,  effective  January 1, 1999. Orion and Loral Skynet, a division of Loral
SpaceCom Corporation,  which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Loral, have
entered into agreements  (the "Loral Skynet  Agreements")  effective  January 1,
1999,  whereby  Loral  Skynet  provides  to Orion  (i)  marketing  and  sales of
satellite  capacity  services on the Orion satellite network and related billing
and  administration  of  customer  contracts  for  those  services  (the  "Sales
Services")  and (ii)  telemetry,  tracking  and control  services  for the Orion
satellite  network  (the  "Technical  Services",  and  together  with the  Sales
Services,  the  "Services").  Orion will be  charged  Loral  Skynet's  costs for
providing these services plus a 5 percent administrative fee.

     Litigation  --  On  November  9,  1996,   Orion  and  Skydata   Corporation
("Skydata")  executed a letter with respect to the settlement in full of pending
litigation  and  arbitration  related  to a  patent  dispute.  As  part  of  the
settlement,   Skydata  granted  Orion  (and  its  affiliates)  an  unrestricted,
world-wide  paid-up  license to make, have made, use or sell products or methods
under the patent and all other  corresponding  continuation and reissue patents.
Orion has paid Skydata $437,000 during 1997 and 1998 as part of this settlement.

     Loral Orion is party to various  litigation arising in the normal course of
its operations.  In the opinion of management,  the ultimate liability for these
matters,  if any,  will not have a  material  adverse  effect  on Loral  Orion's
financial position or results of operations.

     Other -- Orion has entered into operating  leases,  principally  for office
space.  Rent  expense was $1.9  million,  $0.4  million,  $1.3  million and $0.9
million for the nine months ended  December  31, 1998,  three months ended March
31, 1998 and years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     Future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>          
                    1999............................      $      2,244 
                    2000............................               416 
                    2001............................                46 
                    2002............................                46 
                    2003............................                46 
                    Thereafter......................               506 
                                                          ------------
                                                          $      3,304 
                                                          ------------
</TABLE>

                                       37
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

5.  LONG-TERM DEBT

     Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                     ---------------------------
                                                                                       1997
                                                                                    PREDECESSOR
                                                                         1998          COMPANY
                                                                     ----------- ----------------
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>            
Senior notes (net of premium of $64.6 at December 31,
  1998 and unamortized discount of $4.9 million at                                 
  December 31, 1997) ..................................          $      507,573   $       440,100
Senior discount notes (maturity value of $484 million).                 408,812           292,337
Convertible junior subordinated debentures...........                        --            50,000
Notes payable - TT&C Facility..........................                   4,953             6,022
Satellite incentive obligations........................                  11,376             6,479
Other..................................................                     781             2,139
                                                                 --------------   ---------------
     Total long-term debt..............................                 933,495           797,077
Less: current portion..................................                  (1,826)           (6,406)
                                                                 --------------   ---------------
     Long-term debt less current portion...............          $      931,669   $       790,671
                                                                 ==============   ===============
</TABLE>

     Total  interest  (including  commitment  fees,   capitalized  interest  and
amortization  of deferred  financing  costs)  incurred for the nine months ended
December  31, 1998,  three months ended March 31, 1998 and years ended  December
31, 1997 and 1996 was $62.8  million,  $24.5  million,  $91.1  million and $27.8
million,  respectively.  Capitalized interest for the nine months ended December
31, 1998,  three  months ended March 31, 1998 and year ended  December 31, 1997,
was $16.4 million, $3.3 million and $7.3 million,  respectively.  No capitalized
interest was recorded in 1996.  Aggregate  annual  maturities of long-term  debt
consist of the following (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>             
                         1999.......................  $         1,826 
                         2000.......................            1,985 
                         2001.......................            2,382 
                         2002.......................            2,891 
                         2003.......................            1,728 
                         Thereafter.................          922,683 
                                                      ---------------
                                                      $       933,495 
                                                      ===============
</TABLE>

     Senior Notes and Senior  Discount Notes -- On January 31, 1997, the Company
completed a $710  million  bond  offering  (the "Bond  Offering")  comprised  of
approximately  $445 million of Senior Note Units,  each of which consists of one
11.25 percent Senior Note due 2007 (a "Senior Note") and one Warrant to purchase
0.8463 shares of common stock,  par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock") of the
Company (a "Senior Note Warrant"),  and  approximately  $265.4 million of Senior
Discount Note Units,  each of which consists of one 12.5 percent Senior Discount
Note due 2007 (a "Senior Discount Note," and together with the Senior Notes, the
"Notes")  and one  Warrant  to  purchase  0.6628  shares of Common  Stock of the
Company (a "Senior  Discount  Note  Warrant  and  together  with the Senior Note
Warrants, the "Warrants"). Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually
in cash on January 15 and July 15 of each year,  commencing  July 15, 1997.  The
Senior  Discount  Notes do not pay cash  interest  prior to  January  15,  2002.
Thereafter,  cash  interest  accrues  until  maturity  at an annual rate of 12.5
percent  payable  semi-annually  on  January  15,  and  July  15 of  each  year,
commencing  July 15, 2002. The exercise price for the Warrants is $.01 per share
of common stock of the Company. These warrants were assumed by Loral as a result
of the Loral Merger.  The Company made cash  interest  payments of $25.0 million
and $24.9  million  in  January  1998 and July  1998 on the  Senior  Notes.  The
indentures  supporting  the Senior Notes and the Senior  Discount  Notes contain
certain  covenants  which,  among  other  things,   restrict   distributions  to
stockholders of the Company,  the repurchase of equity  interests in the Company
and the  making of  certain  other  investments  and  restricted  payments,  the
incurrence  of  additional  indebtedness  by  the  Company  and  its  restricted
subsidiaries,  the  creation of liens,  certain  asset sales,  transaction  with
affiliates and related parties,  and mergers and consolidations.  The Company is
in compliance with the requirements of such

                                       38

<PAGE>



                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

5.  LONG-TERM DEBT - (CONTINUED)

indentures. The exercise price for the Warrants will be $.01 per share of common
stock. There were 697,400 Warrants issued in connection with the Notes (see Note
6). On May 27, 1998,  $2 million of Senior Notes were redeemed at 101 percent of
the principal amount of the notes plus accrued interest to the payment date, and
resulted in a gain on retirement of debt of approximately $.3 million.

     Convertible  Junior  Subordinated  Debentures  -- On January 31,  1997,  in
connection  with the Financings  discussed in Note 1, the Company  completed the
sale of $60  million of its  convertible  junior  subordinated  debentures  (the
"Convertible  Debentures") to two investors,  British Aerospace  Holdings,  Inc.
("British  Aerospace")  and  Matra  Marconi  Space UK  Limited  ("Matra  Marconi
Space").  British Aerospace purchased $50 million of the Convertible  Debentures
and Matra Marconi Space purchased $10 million of the Convertible Debentures. The
Convertible  Debentures  were to mature in 2012,  and bore interest at a rate of
8.75 percent per annum that was to be paid  semi-annually  in arrears  solely in
Common Stock of the Company. The Convertible Debentures were subordinated to all
other  indebtedness  of the Company,  including  the Notes.  Matra Marconi Space
converted their $10 million of Convertible  Debentures and accrued interest into
735,292  shares  of  common  stock in  December  1997.  In March  1998,  British
Aerospace  converted  their $50 million of  Convertible  Debentures  and accrued
interest into  approximately  3.6 million shares of common stock. As of December
31, 1998, all of the debentures had been converted to common stock.

     The net proceeds of the Bond Offering and Debentures  Offering were used by
the Company to repay the Orion 1 credit facility, pre-fund the first three years
of  interest  payments  on certain  of the Notes,  and will be used to build and
launch two additional satellites, Orion 2 and Orion 3.

     The  extraordinary  loss on extinguishment of debt of $15.8 million in 1997
was the result of expensing,  unamortized  deferred  financing costs  associated
with the Orion 1 credit facility which was refinanced with the proceeds from the
Bond Offering and termination of a interest rate cap agreement.

     Note Payable - TT&C  Facility -- In June 1995 upon  acceptance  of the TT&C
Facility,  the Company  refinanced  $9.3 million from  General  Electric  Credit
Corporation as a seven-year  term loan,  payable  monthly.  The interest rate is
fixed at 13.5  percent.  The TT&C  debt is  secured  by the TT&C  Facility,  the
Satellite Control System Contract and Orion Atlantic's leasehold interest in the
TT&C  Facility   land.   The  TT&C  financing   agreement   contains   customary
representations,  warranties and covenants  regarding certain  activities of the
Company.  The Company is in compliance  with the  requirements  of the financing
agreement.

     Satellite  Incentive  Obligations --The  obligations  relating to satellite
performance  have been recorded at the present value  (discounted  at 14 percent
for the Predecessor Company and 12 percent after the Loral Merger, the Company's
estimated  incremental  borrowing rate for unsecured  financing) of the required
payments  commencing at the  originally  scheduled  maturity of the senior notes
payable  to  banks  and  continuing   through  2007.  Under  the  terms  of  the
construction  contract,  payment of the obligation is delayed until such time as
payment is  permitted  under the senior  notes  payable to banks.  During  1998,
payments aggregating $7.2 million were made pursuant to this obligation.

     Notes Payable - STET -- In connection with the STET Redemption, the Company
issued $8 million of promissory  notes bearing interest at 12 percent per annum.
Payments  were due as  follows:  $2.5  million  plus  accrued  interest  paid on
December 31, 1996; $3.5 million plus accrued interest on the earlier of December
31, 1997 or the refinancing of the senior notes payable-banks; and the remaining
$2.0 million in monthly  installments  of $0.2  million  plus  accrued  interest
beginning  January 1997. At December 31, 1997, the $8 million  promissory  notes
issued in connection with the STET Redemption had been repaid.

     Notes  Payable - Limited  Partners -- In January 1997,  the Company  issued
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in exchange for the Preferred Participation
Units (PPUs) aggregating $8.1 million due to certain former Limited Partners for
development  of Orion  Atlantic's  network  services  business.  Holders of PPUs
earned interest on aggregate  amounts drawn at the rate of 30 percent per annum.
As of March  31,  1998,  the  Series C  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  issued in
exchange for the PPUs have been converted to common stock.

                                       39

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     As of March 31, 1998, all of the  redeemable  convertible  preferred  stock
outstanding  at December  31,  1997,  including  accrued  dividends  on Series C
Preferred  Stock were  converted to  approximately  6.1 million shares of common
stock at prices ranging from $8.50 to $17.80 per share.

     Redeemable Preferred Stock

     In June 1994,  Orion issued 11,500 shares of Series A 8 percent  Cumulative
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock at $1,000 per share and granted an option
to purchase an additional 3,833 shares of similar  preferred stock at $1,000 per
share.  Dividends  on  preferred  stock  accrued at 8 percent  per year and were
payable as and when  declared.  Orion could  redeem the  preferred  stock at the
amount invested plus accrued and unpaid dividends.  Upon such a redemption,  the
preferred  stockholders  were to receive a warrant to acquire at $8.50 per share
the  number of  shares  of common  stock  into  which  the  preferred  stock was
convertible.  The 11,500 shares issued were convertible into 1,352,941 shares of
common stock ($8.50 per share).  Upon  conversion  accrued and unpaid  dividends
were  forfeited.  After Orion issued  preferred  stock (along with  warrants and
options to make an  additional  investment)  in June  1994,  the  Directors  and
affiliates  of Directors  who  purchased  common stock in December  1993 and the
institutions  and other  investors who purchased  common stock in June 1994 each
exercised its right to receive  preferred stock (along with warrants and options
to make an additional  investment)  in exchange for the common stock  previously
acquired  and Orion  issued an  aggregate  of 3,000 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock and related  options for 1,000  shares to such persons and  entities.  The
3,000 shares issued were  convertible into 352,941 shares of common stock ($8.50
per share).  Through  December  31, 1997,  7,567 shares of preferred  stock were
converted  into  890,235  shares of common  stock.  The  remaining  6,933 shares
outstanding were convertible into 815,647 shares of common stock at December 31,
1997. All Series A Preferred  Stock  outstanding was converted into common stock
in connection with the Loral Merger.

         In June 1995, certain Directors,  affiliates of Directors,  and certain
holders of Series A Preferred Stock purchased 4,483 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock for  approximately  $4.5 million.  This purchase was pursuant to an option
granted in June 1995 to purchase $1 of preferred  stock  similar to the Series A
Preferred  Stock for each $3 of Series A Preferred Stock purchased in June 1994,
except that such similar  preferred  stock would be convertible at any time with
Common  Stock at a price  within a range of $10.20 to $17.00 per share of common
stock based upon when the option is exercised.  The Series B Preferred Stock had
rights,  designations  and  preferences  substantially  similar  to those of the
Series A Preferred Stock, and was subject to similar covenants,  except that the
Series B Preferred Stock was convertible  into 439,510 shares of Common Stock at
an  initial  price  of  $10.20  per  share,  subject  to  certain  anti-dilution
adjustments,  and  purchases  of Series B Preferred  Stock did not result in the
purchaser receiving any rights to purchase additional  preferred stock.  Through
December 31, 1997,  2,424 shares of preferred  stock were converted into 237,647
shares of common stock. The remaining 2,059 shares  outstanding were convertible
into 201,862 shares of common stock at December 31, 1997. All Series B Preferred
Stock  outstanding  was converted into common stock in connection with the Loral
Merger.

         In January  1997,  Orion issued  123,172  shares of Series C Cumulative
Redeemable  Preferred Stock to British Aerospace  Communications,  Inc., COM DEV
Satellite Communications Limited, Kingston Communications International Limited,
Lockheed  Martin  Commercial  Launch  Services,  Inc.,  MCN  Sat US,  Inc.,  and
Trans-Atlantic  Satellite, Inc. in exchange for their Orion Atlantic partnership
interests.  Dividends on the  preferred  stock accrued at 6 percent per year and
were  distributable in the Company's common stock calculated based on the market
price of such stock under a formula provided in the Certificate of Designations.
The shares were  convertible  into  approximately  7 million  shares ($17.50 per
share) of the Company's common stock.  Through December 31, 1997,  40,531 shares
of preferred stock,  including dividends,  were converted into approximately 2.4
million shares of common stock. Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock was recorded
net of deferred  offering  costs of  approximately  $3.3  million.  The Series C
Cumulative  Preferred Stock was subject to mandatory  redemption at par value in
25 years.  The  difference  between the  carrying  value and par value was being
accreted over such period.

     The  preferred  stock  had a  liquidation  preference  equal to the  amount
invested plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Preferred stockholders were entitled
to vote on an  as-converted  basis  and had the  right to put the stock to Loral
Orion upon a merger,  change of control or sale of  substantially  all assets at
the greater of liquidation value or fair value. All Series C Preferred Stock was
converted into common stock in connection with the Loral Merger.

                                       40
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - (CONTINUED)

Stockholders' Equity

     1987  Employee  Stock  Option Plan - Under the 1987  Employee  Stock Option
Plan,  1,470,588 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise
of options granted.  Shares of common stock were generally  purchased under this
plan at prices not less than the fair market  value,  as determined by the Board
of Directors, on the date the option was granted.

     Stock options outstanding at:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                          -----------------------------------------------
                                             MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                               1998             1997             1996
                                          -------------  ---------------  ---------------

<S>                                        <C>              <C>             <C>           
Range of exercise price..............      $8.16 - $12.29   $8.16 - $12.29  $8.16 - $12.24

Outstanding at  beginning of year ...          1,174,310          911,663          971,469
Granted during year..................                 --          400,670          122,750
Exercised............................           (157,041)         (81,383)         (37,629)
Canceled                                          (1,250)         (56,640)        (144,927)
Converted to options to acquire
  Loral common stock ................         (1,016,019)              --               --
                                           -------------    -------------   --------------
Outstanding at end of year...........                 --        1,174,310          911,663
                                           =============    =============   ==============
</TABLE>

     In November  1993,  stock  options for 95,588  shares of common  stock were
granted to key executives  which may be exercised  only upon the  achievement of
certain business and financial objectives.  At December 31, 1995, the executives
had  earned  the  right  to  exercise  40,441  of  these  options  based  on the
achievement of such objectives. The remaining options were canceled during 1996.

     Stock options vested annually over a one to five-year  period.  All options
were  exercisable  up to seven years from the date of grant.  The Company's 1987
Employee  Stock Option Plan expired in 1997. No further shares are available for
grant under this plan.  There were 506,803 and 429,265  options  exercisable  at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

     In July 1996, the Company  granted,  subject to shareholder  approval,  the
Chairman of the Executive  Committee  100,000 options at $9.83 per share.  These
options vested as follows, 50,000 on January 17, 1997 and 50,000 upon successful
completion  of either a  refinancing  of the Orion 1  satellite,  financing  for
construction,  launch  and  insurance  for  Orion 2 or Orion 3 or a  substantial
acquisition or relationship with a strategic  partner.  These  requirements were
met in January 1997.

     In March 1998, the 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan was assumed by Loral and
all outstanding options were converted to options to acquire Loral common stock.

     Non-Employee  Director  Stock  Option  Plan  - In  1996,  Orion  adopted  a
Non-Employee  Director  Stock Option plan.  Under this plan,  380,000  shares of
common stock were reserved for issuance.  During 1997, there were 80,000 options
granted  pursuant  to this  plan at $9.60  per  share.  At  December  31,  1997,
aggregate options  outstanding  pursuant to this plan totaled 270,000, of which,
180,000 were exercisable at prices ranging from $8.49 to $12.53 per share.

     In March 1998, the  Non-Employee  Director Stock Option Plan was assumed by
Loral and all  outstanding  options were  converted to options to acquire  Loral
common stock.

     1997  Employee  Stock Option Plan - In 1997,  Orion  adopted a second stock
option plan. Under this plan, as amended,  1,300,000 shares of common stock were
reserved for issuance upon exercise of options  granted.  Shares of common stock
could be  purchased  under  this plan at prices  not less than the fair value as
determined by the Board of Directors, on the date the option were granted.


                                       41

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - (CONTINUED)

     Compensation expense relating to these plans was not significant.

     Stock options outstanding at:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                             ----------------------------
                                             MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,
                                                1998             1997
                                          ----------------  ---------------


<S>                                       <C>               <C>           
Range of exercise price.............      $9.30 - $17.06    $9.30 - $17.06
                                          ================  ================

Outstanding at beginning of year....             552,000                --
Granted during year.................                  --           556,000
Exercised  .........................              (5,000)               --
Canceled   .........................             (80,000)           (4,000)
Converted to options to acquire
  Loral common stock ...............            (467,000)               --
                                           -------------     -------------
Outstanding at end of year..........       $          --     $     552,000
                                           =============     ==============
</TABLE>

     There were 62,500 options exercisable at December 31, 1997.

     In March 1998, the 1997 Employee Stock Option Plan was assumed by Loral and
all outstanding options were converted to options to acquire Loral common stock.

     The Company has elected to continue to follow  Accounting  Principles Board
Opinion No. 25,  Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25") and related
Interpretations  in  accounting  for its  employee  stock based award  programs,
because the alternative fair value accounting  provided for under FASB Statement
No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation ("SFAS 123") which is effective
for awards after January 1, 1996,  requires use of option  valuation models that
were not developed for use in valuing employee stock options. Under APB 25, when
the  exercise  price  of the  employee  award  equals  the  market  price of the
underlying  stock on the date of grant, as has been the case  historically  with
the Company's awards, no compensation expense is recognized.

     Pro forma information  regarding net income and earnings per share required
by SFAS 123, has been  determined  as if the Company had accounted for its stock
options under the fair value method of that  statement.  The fair value of these
options was estimated at the date of the grant using a  Black-Scholes  valuation
model with the following assumptions:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                            ----------------------------------------
                                            MARCH 31,
                                               1998            1997             1996
                                            -------------  -------------   ----------

<S>                                            <C>              <C>             <C> 
Risk-free interest rate .............          6.5%             6.5%            6.5%
Expected dividend yields ............          0.0%             0.0%            0.0%
Expected life of option .............        6.5 years       6.5 years        5.8 years
Volatility of the Company's stock ...           69%             69%              68%
</TABLE>

     For purposes of adjusted pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of
the options is amortized to expense over the option's vesting period. The effect
of applying SFAS 123 on pro forma net loss is not necessarily  representative of
the effects on reported net loss for future  years due to,  among other  things,
(1) the vesting period of the stock options and the (2) fair value of additional
stock options in future years. The Company's  adjusted pro forma information are
as follows (in thousands, except per share information):

                                       42

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - (CONTINUED)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                  -------------------------------------------
                                                   THREE MONTHS
                                                       ENDED
                                                     MARCH 31,        
                                                       1998             1997           1996
                                                  --------------    ------------   ----------
<S>                                                <C>             <C>             <C>           
Adjusted pro forma net loss ................       $      (40,777) $   (110,703)   $     (28,031)
                                                  ===============  ============    ============= 
Adjusted pro forma net loss per share ......       $           --  $     (10.03)   $       (2.68)
                                                  ===============  ============    ============= 
</TABLE>

     401(k) Profit Sharing Plan -- In September  1996,  Orion amended the 401(k)
profit  sharing  plan.  Under  this  plan,  100,000  shares of common  stock are
reserved  for  issuance  as  the  Company's   discretionary  match  of  employee
contributions.  The Company's matching  contributions may be made in either cash
or in the equivalent  amount of the Company's  common stock. For the four months
ended  April 30,  1998 and the year  ended  December  31,  1997,  the  Company's
matching  contribution was 3,341 and 10,480 shares of the Company's common stock
with a value of approximately $60,000 and $180,000, respectively.

     Effective May 1, 1998,  the 401(k) Profit  Sharing Plan was merged into the
Loral Space and  Communications,  Ltd. Savings Plan and $0.8 million of matching
contributions  were  incurred  in this plan for the period  May 1, 1998  through
December 31, 1998.

     Stock Purchase Plan -- In September  1996,  Orion adopted an employee stock
purchase plan. Under this plan,  500,000 shares of common stock are reserved for
issuance.  Shares of common stock were purchased under this plan through payroll
deduction.  The purchase price of each share of common stock purchased under the
plan  was 85  percent  of the  fair  market  value  of the  common  stock on the
measurement  date.  During  1998 and 1997 the Company  issued  20,180 and 27,731
shares,  respectively,  pursuant to the Plan.  In March 1998 the Stock  Purchase
Plan was terminated.

     Stock Warrants - In November 1996,  Orion granted 50,000  warrants to DACOM
to  purchase  shares  of  common  stock  at $14  per  share.  The  warrants  are
exercisable for a six month period  beginning six months after the  commencement
date, as defined in the Joint  Investment  Agreement,  and ending one year after
the  commencement  date and will terminate at that time or at any time the Joint
Investment  Agreement is terminated.  The fair value of the warrants at the date
of issue was $300,000 and was estimated using a Black Scholes valuation model.

     Warrants outstanding at:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                          ---------------------------------------------------
                                             MARCH 31,       DECEMBER 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                               1998              1997             1996
                                          ---------------   --------------   -----------------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>              <C>           
Range of exercise price.............       $0.01 - $14.00   $0.01 - $14.00   $9.79 - $14.00
                                          ===============   ==============   ============== 

Outstanding at beginning of year....             740,550          142,115           553,768
Granted during year.................                  --          697,400            50,000
Exercised  .........................              (2,518)         (96,159)               --
Canceled   .........................                  --           (2,806)         (461,653)
Converted to warrants to acquire
  Loral common stock ...............            (738,032)              --                --
                                          --------------    -------------    --------------
Outstanding at end of year..........                  --          740,550           142,115
                                          ==============    =============    ==============
</TABLE>

     There were 690,550 and 92,115 warrants exercisable at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.

                                       43

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

6.  REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - (CONTINUED)

     The holders of  preferred  stock also hold  warrants to purchase  1,017,509
shares of common stock at the conversion  price of such preferred  stock.  These
warrants  do  not  become  exercisable  unless  Orion  exercises  its  right  to
repurchase the preferred stock at the liquidation value, plus accrued and unpaid
dividends.  As of March 31, 1998,  these  warrants were forfeited as a result of
the conversion of all preferred stock to common stock.

     In January  1997,  the  Company  issued  Senior  Note  Warrants  and Senior
Discount  Note Warrants to acquire  376,608 and 320,792  shares of common stock,
respectively  at $.01 per  share in  connection  with  the  Bond  Offering.  The
warrants were not exercisable  prior to six months after the closing date of the
Bond Offering and became separately  transferable from the Notes six months from
date of issuance.  The  estimated  fair value of the warrants  aggregating  $9.6
million was  allocated  $5.2  million to Senior Notes and $4.4 million to Senior
Discount  Notes as debt  discount.  At December 31, 1997,  6,850  warrants  were
converted  into 5,797 shares of common stock.  In March 1998,  the warrants were
converted to warrants to purchase Loral common stock.

     Shares  Reserved  for  Issuance - The Company  had 0 shares and  14,036,809
shares of common stock at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, reserved for
issuance  upon  conversion  of  debentures  and  preferred  stock,  exercise  of
outstanding stock options and warrants,  and common stock issued under the stock
purchase and 401(k) profit sharing plans.

     Loral's  1996  Stock  Option  Plan  -  Certain  employees  of  Loral  Orion
participate  in Loral's  1996 Stock Option  Plan.  Under this plan,  options are
granted at the  discretion  of Loral's  Board of Directors to employees of Loral
and its affiliates.  Such options become exercisable as determined by the Board,
generally over five years,  and generally  expire no more than 10 years from the
date of grant.  For the nine months  ended  December  31,  1998,  Loral  granted
certain key employees of Loral Orion options to purchase  shares of Loral common
stock at a weighted  average  price of $24.55 per share  (weighted  average fair
value of $5.88 per share). No options were exercised,  and at December 31, 1998,
options  to  purchase  513,420  shares  were  outstanding,  1,200 of which  were
exercisable.

     As described above,  Loral Orion accounts for its stock-based  awards using
the  intrinsic  value method in  accordance  with  Accounting  Principles  Board
Opinion  No. 25,  "Accounting  for Stock  Issued to  Employees"  and its related
interpretations.   SFAS  No.  123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation"
requires the disclosure of pro forma net income (loss).  Loral Orion adopted the
fair value method.  SFAS No. 123 requires that equity instruments  granted to an
employee by a principal  stockholder be included as part of the disclosure.  The
pro forma incremental effect on net loss required to be disclosed under SFAS No.
123 is approximately $1.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 1998.

7.  FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     Other than  amounts due under the Senior Notes and Senior  Discount  Notes,
Orion  believes  that the carrying  amount  reported in the balance sheet of its
other financial assets and liabilities approximates their fair value at December
31, 1998. The fair value of the Company's Senior Notes and Senior Discount Notes
was estimated  based on quoted market prices,  at December 31, 1998 and 1997, to
be  approximately  $438.6  million and $304.9  million,  and $511.8  million and
$377.5 million, respectively.

                                       44

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


8.  SEGMENTS

     The Company has two reportable business segments:  Fixed Satellite Services
and Data Services (see Note 1).

     In evaluating financial performance,  management uses revenues and earnings
before  interest,  taxes and  depreciation  and  amortization  ("EBITDA") as the
measure of a segment's profit or loss. The accounting policies of the reportable
segments are the same as those described in Note 2.

     Summarized financial  information  concerning the reportable segments is as
follows:


                       NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
                               SEGMENT INFORMATION
                                  (IN MILLIONS)

                                                                 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 FIXED                                TOTAL                      
                                               SATELLITE            DATA           REPORTABLE                    
                                                SERVICES          SERVICES          SEGMENTS         CONSOLIDATED
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
                                                                                                                 
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>          
Revenue from external customers ......       $          25.2   $          39.4   $         64.6      $        64.6
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
EBITDA (1)............................       $          21.2   $         (13.2)  $          8.0      $         8.0
Depreciation and amortization ........                  41.6               9.8             51.4               51.4
Merger costs .........................                   --                --                --                 .6
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
Income (loss) from operations ........       $         (20.4)  $         (23.0)  $        (43.4)     $       (44.0)
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Capital expenditures .................       $         272.1   $          12.0   $        284.1      $       284.1
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Total assets .........................       $       1,355.4   $          56.3   $      1,411.7      $     1,417.5
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
</TABLE>



                        THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
                               SEGMENT INFORMATION
                               PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                  (IN MILLIONS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 FIXED                                TOTAL
                                               SATELLITE           DATA           REPORTABLE
                                                SERVICES          SERVICES          SEGMENTS         CONSOLIDATED
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>          
Revenue from external customers ......       $           7.9   $          10.9   $         18.8      $        18.8
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
EBITDA (1)............................       $           6.7   $          (5.7)  $          1.0      $         1.0
Depreciation and amortization ........                   9.6               2.9             12.5               12.5
Merger costs .........................                   --                --                --               12.2
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      ------------- 
Income (loss) from operations.........       $         (2.9)   $          (8.6)  $        (11.5)     $       (23.7)
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Capital expenditures .................       $         14.8    $           3.6   $         18.4      $        18.4
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Total assets .........................       $      1,381.8    $          49.4   $      1,431.2      $     1,431.2
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
</TABLE>


     With the  exception  of the  Company's  satellite in orbit,  the  Company's
long-lived assets are primarily located in the United States,  Germany and other
foreign  countries,  and at December 31, 1998,  amounted to approximately,  $979
million, $6 million and $13 million, respectively.

                                       45

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)


8.  SEGMENTS - (CONTINUED)

                                                       1997
                                                SEGMENT INFORMATION
                                                PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                   (in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 FIXED                                TOTAL
                                               SATELLITE           DATA           REPORTABLE
                                                SERVICES          SERVICES          SEGMENTS         CONSOLIDATED
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>          

Revenue from external customers ......       $          31.3   $          41.4   $         72.7      $        72.7
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
EBITDA (1)............................                  21.3             (16.2)             5.1                5.1
Depreciation and amortization ........                  34.1              14.1             48.2               48.2
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
Income (loss) from operations.........       $         (12.8)  $         (30.3)  $        (43.1)     $       (43.1)
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Capital expenditures .................       $         102.3   $          11.0   $        113.3      $       113.3
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Total assets .........................       $         849.0   $          47.5   $        896.5      $       896.5
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996
                                                SEGMENT INFORMATION
                                                PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                   (IN MILLIONS)
                                                 FIXED                                TOTAL
                                               SATELLITE           DATA           REPORTABLE
                                                SERVICES          SERVICES          SEGMENTS         CONSOLIDATED
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>                 <C>          
Revenue from external customers ......       $          24.9   $          17.0   $         41.9      $        41.9
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
EBITDA 1..............................                  13.4             (12.8)             0.6                0.6
Depreciation and amortization ........                  30.3               6.6             36.9               36.9
                                             ---------------   ---------------   --------------      -------------
Income (loss) from operations ........       $         (16.9)  $         (19.4)  $        (36.3)     $       (36.3)
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Capital expenditures .................       $           3.8   $          12.6   $         16.4      $        16.4
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
Total assets .........................       $         327.8   $          30.5   $        358.3      $       358.3
                                             ===============   ===============   ==============      =============
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------------- 
(1) EBITDA (which is equivalent to operating  income (loss) before  depreciation
and  amortization and merger costs) is provided because it is a measure commonly
used  in the  communication  industry  to  analyze  companies  on the  basis  of
operating  performance,  leverage and  liquidity and is presented to enhance the
understanding of Loral Orion's operating results.  However, EBITDA should not be
construed  as an  alternative  to net  income  as an  indicator  of a  company's
operating performance,  or cash flow from operations as a measure of a company's
liquidity.  EBITDA may be  calculated  differently  and,  therefore,  may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.


                                       46

<PAGE>



                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

9.  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF LORAL ORION, INC.

     Presented below are condensed  balance sheets of Loral Orion,  Inc. (parent
company only basis) at December 31, 1998 and 1997.  All material  contingencies,
obligations and guarantees of Loral Orion,  Inc. have been separately  disclosed
in the preceding notes to the financial statements.





                  CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS OF LORAL ORION, INC.
                           (PARENT COMPANY ONLY BASIS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  ----------------------------------
                                                                                            1997
                                                                                        PREDECESSOR
                                                                      1998                COMPANY
                                                                  --------------     ---------------
<S>                                                               <C>                 <C>           
ASSETS                                                            
Current assets:                                                   
  Restricted assets .....................................         $      50,180       $       50,064
  Receivable from subsidiaries ..........................               489,384                   --
                                                                  -------------       --------------
       Total current assets..............................               539,564               50,064
Restricted and segregated assets ........................                22,675              284,433
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries ..............               591,421              460,572
Deferred income taxes ...................................                53,915                   --
Due from Loral ..........................................                 3,619                   --
Costs in excess of net asset acquired associated
  with the Loral merger, net ............................
Other assets, net .......................................                15,261               42,021
                                                                  -------------       --------------
       Total assets......................................         $   1,834,470        $     837,090
                                                                  =============       ==============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Payables to subsidiaries ..............................         $     490,984        $          --
  Accrued liabilities ...................................                 5,166                   --
  Other current liabilities .............................                    --                   --
  Interest payable senior notes and debentures ..........                22,842               24,768
                                                                  -------------       --------------
       Total current liabilities.........................               518,992               24,768
Long term debt ..........................................               916,387              782,437
Redeemable preferred stock...............................                    --               76,734
Stockholders' equity (deficit)...........................               399,091              (46,849)
                                                                  -------------       --------------
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)       $   1,834,470        $     837,090
                                                                  =============       ==============
</TABLE>


                                       47
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     9.  CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF LORAL ORION, INC. - (CONTINUED)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF LORAL ORION, INC.
                                            (PARENT COMPANY ONLY BASIS)

                                                                                                 PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                               ----------------------------------------------------
                                                         NINE MONTHS           THREE MONTHS           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ENDED                 ENDED
                                                         DECEMBER 31,           MARCH 31,                       
                                                             1998                  1998              1997            1996
                                                       ----------------      ----------------  ---------------- --------------------

<S>                                                     <C>                   <C>              <C>              <C>           
Services revenue  ...................................   $           --        $           --   $           --   $           34
Operating expenses and other income:
   General and administrative .......................               40                    --            2,170            3,832
   Interest expense (income), net....................           54,644                18,285           57,069           (1,884)
   Depreciation and amortization ....................           14,375                    --               --               --
   Other (income), net ..............................             (274)                   --               --               --
   Merger costs   ...................................               --                12,145               --               --
                                                       ----------------      ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
   Total operating expenses and other income.........           68,785                30,430           59,239            1,948
Equity in net losses of subsidiaries ................           12,289                 9,261           46,501           25,281
Income tax benefit ..................................           (1,105)                   --               --               --
                                                       ----------------      ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
Net loss ............................................          (79,969)              (39,691)        (105,740)         (27,195)
Preferred dividends .................................               --                (1,387)              --               --
                                                       ----------------      ----------------  ---------------- ---------------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders .......    $      (79,969)       $      (38,304)  $     (105,740)  $      (27,195)
                                                       ===============       ===============   ================ ===============
</TABLE>

                                       48

<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

     9. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF LORAL ORION, INC. - (CONTINUED)





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS OF LORAL ORION, INC.
                                            (PARENT COMPANY ONLY BASIS)

                                                                                            PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                                          ------------------------------------------------------
                                                         NINE MONTHS      THREE MONTHS               YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ENDED            ENDED
                                                         DECEMBER 31,      MARCH 31,
                                                             1998             1998                  1997                  1996
                                                       ---------------- ----------------      ----------------      ----------------
<S>                                                     <C>              <C>                  <C>                    <C>            
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATIONS............   $      (24,320)  $      (37,300)      $       (22,806)       $       (4,047)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Advances to subsidiaries...........................         (247,640)            (755)             (407,093)              (15,529)
  Increase in restricted and segregated assets ......               --               --              (406,938)                   --
  Release of restricted and segregated assets .......          273,960           35,938                90,501                    --
  Capital expenditures...............................               --               --                    --                  (504)
                                                       ---------------- ----------------      ----------------      ----------------
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing
     activities......................................           26,320           35,183              (723,530)              (16,033)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from issuance of debt, net ...............               --               --               744,275                    --
  Proceeds from issuance of redeemable
    preferred stock..................................               --               --                 2,152                    --
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock.............               --            2,117                    --                   343
  Purchase of treasury stock ........................               --               --                   (91)                   --
  Repayment of senior notes payable..................           (2,000)              --                    --                (2,496)
                                                       ---------------- ----------------      ----------------      ----------------
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing
    activities ......................................           (2,000)           2,117               746,336                (2,153)
                                                       ---------------- ----------------      ----------------      ----------------
  Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash
    equivalents......................................               --               --                    --               (22,233)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.......               --               --                    --                48,798
                                                       ---------------- ----------------      ----------------      ----------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.............   $           --   $           --       $            --        $       26,565
                                                       ================ ================      ================      ================
</TABLE>

     Basis of presentation -- In these parent  company-only  condensed financial
statements,  Orion's investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost less equity in
the losses of subsidiaries since date of inception or acquisition.

     Loral  Orion , Inc.  ("Loral  Orion"),  a  Delaware  company,  is a holding
company  which is the  ultimate  parent of all  Loral  Orion  subsidiaries.  The
accompanying  financial  statements reflect the financial  position,  results of
operations  and cash  flows of Loral  Orion on a  separate  company  basis.  All
subsidiaries of Loral Orion are reflected as investments accounted for under the
equity method of accounting.  Accordingly  intercompany payables and receivables
have not been eliminated.

     Loral Orion's significant transactions with its subsidiaries other than the
investment account and related equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries
are intercompany  payables and receivables  resulting primarily from the funding
of operations and the construction of Loral Orion satellites.

     No cash dividends  were paid to Loral Orion by its  affiliates  during nine
months ended  December  31, 1998,  the three months ended March 31, 1998 and the
years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.

                                       49
<PAGE>


                                LORAL ORION, INC.
     (A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF LORAL SPACE & COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION)
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

10.  SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

     The following is a summary of the quarterly  results of operations  for the
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 (in thousands):



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     PREDECESSOR
                                                       COMPANY
                                                      MARCH 31,             JUNE 30,            SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ---------             --------            -------------    ------------
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                   <C>               <C>            
1998
  Revenues...................................      $        18,790       $        20,243       $        21,153   $        23,212
  Loss from operations.......................              (23,639)              (15,296)              (13,951)          (14,782)
  Loss before income taxes, extraordinary loss
     on extinguishment of debt, minority
     interest and preacquisition loss of                   (39,691)              (28,000)              (26,301)          (26,701)
     acquired subsidiary.....................
  Net loss ..................................              (39,691)              (19,755)              (29,614)          (30,600)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  PREDECESSOR COMPANY
                                                      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      MARCH 31,             JUNE 30,            SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                      ---------             --------            -------------    ------------

1997
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                   <C>               <C>            
  Revenues...................................      $        20,233       $        16,687       $        17,619   $        18,202
  Loss from operations.......................               (8,317)              (10,915)              (11,270)          (12,579)
  Loss before income taxes, extraordinary loss
     on extinguishment of debt, minority
     interest and preacquisition loss of                   (22,889)              (24,745)              (27,510)          (27,501)
     acquired subsidiary.....................
  Net loss...................................              (25,984)              (24,745)              (27,510)          (27,501)
</TABLE>


                                       50


<PAGE>



     ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS AND ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES.

     As a result of the Merger,  the Board of Directors of the Company appointed
Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche") as independent  auditors,  effective
May 13, 1998.  Deloitte & Touche  replaced  Ernst & Young LLP ("Ernst & Young"),
which served as the  Company's  independent  auditors for the fiscal years ended
December  31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 and was  dismissed,  effective  May 13,
1998.

     The reports issued by Ernst & Young on the Company's  financial  statements
for the fiscal  years  ended  December  31, 1997 and  December  31, 1996 did not
contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion,  and were not qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

      During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, and
during  the  interim   period   preceding  May  13,  1998,  (i)  there  were  no
disagreements  with  Ernst & Young on any  matter of  accounting  principles  or
practices,  financial statement  disclosure,  or auditing scope or procedure and
which, if not resolved to the  satisfaction of Ernst & Young,  would have caused
Ernst & Young to make  reference to these matters in their report and (ii) there
were no "reportable  events" (as that term is described in Item  304(a)(i)(v) of
Regulation S-K).


                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

ITEM  11.     EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

     Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

ITEM 12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.

ITEM 13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I of Form 10-K.


                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.      EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

     (a)  (1) and (2)  List of  Financial  Statements  and  Financial  Statement
          Schedules

     The following  consolidated  financial  statements of Loral Orion, Inc. are
included in Item 8:

          Consolidated  Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998 and 1997 (Predecessor
          Company)

          Consolidated Statements of Operations - Nine months ended December 31,
          1998, and for the Predecessor Company the three months ended March 31,
          1998, and the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

          Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) -
          Nine months ended December 31, 1998, and for the  Predecessor  Company
          the three months ended March 31,  1998,  and the years ended  December
          31, 1997 and 1996

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended December 31,
          1998, and for the Predecessor Company the three months ended March 31,
          1998, and the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

                                       51

<PAGE>



     All  schedules  for which  provision is made in the  applicable  accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted, except
for Schedule I, condensed financial  information which is presented in Note 9 in
the Company's consolidated financial statements.


         (b) Reports on Form 8-K filed in the fourth quarter of 1998:

             None.

         (c) Exhibits




EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                         EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- - ------                                         -------------------

2.1               Agreement and Plan of Merger,  dated as of October 7, 1997, by
                  and  among  Orion,  Loral  and  Loral  Satellite  Corporation.
                  (Incorporated  by reference  to exhibit  number 2.1 in Current
                  Report on Form 8-K dated October 9, 1997).

2.2               Principal  Stockholder  Agreement  among Orion,  Loral,  Loral
                  Satellite   Corporation   and  the   stockholders   that   are
                  signatories   thereto,   dated   as  of   October   7,   1997.
                  (Incorporated  by reference  to exhibit  number 2.2 in Current
                  Report on Form 8-K dated October 9, 1997).

2.3               Amendment  No. 1  Agreement  and Plan of  Merger,  dated as of
                  February  11,  1998,  by and  among  Orion,  Loral  and  Loral
                  Satellite  Corporation.  (Incorporated by reference to exhibit
                  number 2.2 in  Registration  Statement  No.  333-46407 on Form
                  S-4).

2.4               Amendment  No.  1 to  Principal  Stockholder  Agreement  among
                  Orion, Loral, Loral Satellite Corporation and the stockholders
                  that are  signatories  thereto,  dated as of December 1, 1997.
                  (Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  number 2.4 in Annual
                  Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).

3.1               Certificate  of Merger  of Loral  Satellite  Corporation  into
                  Orion dated  March 20,  1998 and  Exhibit A thereto,  Restated
                  Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.*

3.2               Certificate of Amendment to Certificate  of  Incorporation  of
                  the Company.*

3.3               Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.*

4.1               Form of  Senior  Note  Indenture  and  Form  of Note  included
                  therein.  (Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit number 4.1 to
                  Registration Statement No. 333-19167 on Form S-1).

4.2               Form  of  Senior  Discount  Note  Indenture  and  Form of Note
                  included therein. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit number
                  4.2 to Registration Statement No. 333-19167 on Form S-1).

4.3               Form   of   Collateral   Pledge   and   Security    Agreement.
                  (Incorporated   by   reference   to  Exhibit   number  4.3  to
                  Registration Statement No. 333-19167 on Form S-1).

10.1              Second  Amended  and  Restated   Purchase   Agreement,   dated
                  September 26, 1991 ("Satellite Contract") by and between Loral
                  Orion  Services,  Inc.  (formerly  known  as  Orion  Satellite
                  Corporation)   and  British   Aerospace   PLC  and  the  First
                  Amendment,  dated as of September 15, 1992,  Second Amendment,
                  dated as of November  9, 1992,  Third  Amendment,  dated as of
                  March 12, 1993, Fourth Amendment,  dated as of April 15, 1993,
                  Fifth  Amendment,  dated  as  of  September  22,  1993,  Sixth
                  Amendment, dated as of April 6, 1994, Seventh Amendment, dated
                  as of August 9, 1994, Eighth  Amendment,  dated as of December
                  8, 1994, and Amendment No. 9 dated October 24, 1995,  thereto.
                  [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR PORTIONS OF THESE
                  DOCUMENTS.]  (Incorporated  by  reference  to exhibits  number
                  10.13 and 10.14 in Registration Statement No. 33-80518 on Form
                  S-1).


                                       52

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                         EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- - ------                                         -------------------


10.2              Restated  Amendment  No. 10 dated  December 10, 1996,  between
                  LOSI  and  Matra  Marconi  Space  to the  Second  Amended  and
                  Restated Purchase  Agreement,  dated September 16, 1991 by and
                  between  OrionServ and British  Aerospace PLC (which  contract
                  and prior exhibits  thereto were  incorporated by reference as
                  exhibit  number 10.1).  (Incorporated  by reference to exhibit
                  number 10.2 in  Registration  Statement No.  333-19795 on Form
                  S-4).

10.3              Contract for a Satellite  Control  System,  dated  December 7,
                  1992, by and between Loral Orion  Services,  Inc.,  Telespazio
                  S.p.A.   and  Martin   Marietta   Corporation.   [CONFIDENTIAL
                  TREATMENT  HAS BEEN  GRANTED FOR  PORTIONS OF THIS  DOCUMENT.]
                  (Incorporated   by  reference  to  exhibit   number  10.31  in
                  Registration Statement No. 33-80518 on Form S-1).

10.4              Credit  Agreement,  dated  as of  November  23,  1993,  by and
                  between Loral Orion  Services,  Inc. (as successor in interest
                  to  Orion  Atlantic,   L.P.)  and  General   Electric  Capital
                  Corporation (`GECC'). [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN GRANTED
                  FOR PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT.]  (Incorporated by reference to
                  exhibit number 10.32 in Registration Statement No. 33-80518 on
                  Form S-1).

10.5              Security  Agreement,  dated as of November  23,  1993,  by and
                  between Loral Orion Services, Inc. and GECC.  (Incorporated by
                  reference to exhibit  number 10.33 in  Registration  Statement
                  No. 33-80518 on Form S-1).

10.6              Assignment  and Security  Agreement,  dated as of November 23,
                  1993,  by and between  Loral Orion  Services,  Inc.  and GECC.
                  (Incorporated   by  reference  to  exhibit   number  10.34  in
                  Registration Statement No.
                  33-80518 on Form S-1).

10.7              Consent and  Agreement,  dated as of November 23, 1993, by and
                  between   Loral  Orion   Services,   Inc.,   Martin   Marietta
                  Corporation  and GECC.  (Incorporated  by reference to exhibit
                  number 10.35 in  Registration  Statement No.  33-80518 on Form
                  S-1).

10.8              Deed of Trust,  dated as of November 23, 1993,  by and between
                  Loral Orion Services,  Inc., W. Allen Ames, Jr. and Michael J.
                  Schwel, as Trustees,  and GECC.  (Incorporated by reference to
                  exhibit number 10.37 in Registration Statement No. 33-80518 on
                  Form S-1).

10.9              Lease Agreement, dated as of November 23, 1993, by and between
                  OrionNet, Inc. and Loral Orion Services, Inc. (as successor in
                  interest to Orion Atlantic, L.P.), as amended by an Amendment,
                  dated  January  3,  1995.  [CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT  HAS  BEEN
                  GRANTED FOR  PORTIONS  OF THESE  DOCUMENTS.  (Incorporated  by
                  reference to exhibit  number 10.38 in  Registration  Statement
                  No. 33-80518 on Form S-1).

10.10             Note for Interim Loans,  dated as of November 23, 1993, by and
                  between Loral Orion  Services,  Inc. (as successor in interest
                  to Orion Atlantic,  L.P.) and GECC. (Incorporated by reference
                  to exhibit number 10.42 in Registration Statement No. 33-80518
                  on Form S-1).

10.11             Lease  Agreement,  dated as of October 2, 1992, by and between
                  OrionNet  and  Research  Grove   Associates,   as  amended  by
                  Amendment  No. 1 dated March 26, 1993.  Amendment  No. 2 dated
                  August 23, 1993,  and Amendment No. 3 dated December 20, 1993.
                  (Incorporated   by  reference  to  exhibit   number  10.39  in
                  Registration Statement No. 33-80518 on Form S-1).

10.12             Restated Definitive Agreement,  dated October 29, 1998, by and
                  between   Orion  and   Republic  of  the   Marshall   Islands.
                  [CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT  HAS BEEN  REQUESTED  FOR PORTIONS OF
                  THIS DOCUMENT.]*

10.13             TT&C Earth Station  Agreement,  dated as of November 11, 1996,
                  by and between Loral Orion Services,  Inc. (by assignment from
                  Loral Orion-Asia  Pacific,  Inc., formerly known as Orion Asia
                  Pacific  Corporation and DACOM Corp.  [CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT
                  HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT.] (Incorporated
                  by reference to exhibit number 10.39 in Registration Statement
                  No. 333-19795 on Form S-4).

                                       53

<PAGE>




EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                      EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
- - ------                                      -------------------

10.14             Joint Investment Agreement,  dated as of November 11, 1996, by
                  and between Loral Orion  Services,  Inc. (by  assignment  from
                  Loral Orion-Asia  Pacific,  Inc., formerly known as Orion Asia
                  Pacific Corporation) and DACOM Corp.  [CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT
                  HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR PORTIONS OF THIS DOCUMENT.] (Incorporated
                  by reference to exhibit number 10.40 in Registration Statement
                  No. 333-19795 on Form S-4).

10.15             Orion 3 Spacecraft Purchase Contract,  dated January 15, 1997,
                  by and among  Hughes Space and  Communications  International,
                  Inc.,  Loral Orion  Services,  Inc. (by assignment  from Loral
                  Orion-Asia  Pacific,   Inc.,  formerly  known  as  Orion  Asia
                  Pacific,  Inc.) and Orion.  [CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT  HAS BEEN
                  GRANTED FOR  PORTIONS  OF THIS  DOCUMENT.].  (Incorporated  by
                  reference to Exhibit  number 10.52 to  Registration  Statement
                  No. 333-19167 on Form S-1).

10.16             Letter  Agreement,  effective  as of May 20/21,  1997,  by and
                  between  Orion  and  Morgan  Stanley  & Co.  (Incorporated  by
                  reference  to Exhibit  number  10.53 to Annual  Report on Form
                  10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).

10.17             Orion-Z Spacecraft  Purchase Contract,  dated May 15, 1998, by
                  and   between   Loral   Orion   Services,   Inc.   and   Space
                  Systems/Loral,  Inc. and  Amendment  No. 1 dated  December 29,
                  1998.  [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR PORTIONS
                  OF THIS DOCUMENT.]*

10.18             Agreement,  dated  January 1, 1999, by and between Loral Orion
                  Services, Inc. and Loral Skynet.*

10.19             Agreement,  dated  January 1, 1999, by and between Loral Orion
                  Services, Inc. and Loral Skynet.*

23                None

27                Financial Data Schedule.*


* Filed herewith.

          (d)     Financial statement schedule

                  Schedule I, see Note 9 in the Company's Consolidated Financial
                  Statements


                                       54

<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                LORAL ORION, INC.

                             /s/ Benard L. Schwartz
                             By: Bernard L. Schwartz
                           (Chairman of the Board and
                            Chief Executive Officer)

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed by the following  persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                               Title                                   Date
- - ---------                               -----                                   ----

<S>                                 <C>                                         <C> 
/s/ Bernard L. Schwartz             Chairman of the Board                       March 30, 1999
- - ---------------------------         and Chief Executive Officer
Bernard L. Schwartz                 

/s/ George Baker                    Director                                    March 30, 1999
- - ---------------------------
George Baker

/s/ Gregory J. Clark                Chief Operating Officer and                 March 30, 1999
- - ---------------------------         Director
Gregory J. Clark                    

/s/ Michael P. DeBlasio             First Senior Vice President                 March 30, 1999
- - ---------------------------         and Director
Michael P. DeBlasio                 

/s/ Daniel Hirsch                   Director                                    March 30, 1999
- - ---------------------------
Daniel Hirsch

/s/ Eric J. Zahler                  Senior Vice President                       March 30, 1999
- - ----------------------------        Secretary and Director
Eric J. Zahler

/s/ Richard J. Townsend             Senior Vice President                       March 30, 1999
- - ----------------------------        and Chief Financial Officer
Richard J. Townsend                (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Harvey B. Rein                  Vice President and                          March 30, 1999
- - ----------------------------        Controller
Harvey B. Rein                     (Principal Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>


                                       55




                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1


                              CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

                                       OF

                           LORAL SATELLITE CORPORATION

                                      INTO

                           ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

     The undersigned corporation,  organized and existing under and by virtue of
the Delaware General Corporation Law, does hereby certify:

     First:  That the  name  and  state  of  incorporation  of each  constituent
corporations to the Merger are as follows:

         Name                                           State of Incorporation
         ----                                           ----------------------
         Loral Satellite Corporation                          Delaware

         Orion Network Systems, Inc.                          Delaware

     SECOND:  That an Agreement  and Plan of Merger dated as of October 7, 1997,
as amended (the "Merger Agreement"),  by and among Loral Satellite  Corporation,
Orion Network Systems,  Inc., and Loral Space &  Communications  Ltd., a Bermuda
company,  has been approved,  adopted,  certified,  executed and acknowledged by
each of the  constituent  corporations  in accordance  with the  requirements of
Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

     THIRD:  That the name of the surviving  corporation  of the merger is Orion
Network Systems, Inc. (the "Surviving Corporation"), which name shall be changed
to Loral Orion Network Systems, Inc.

     FOURTH: That the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving  Corporation
shall be amended and restated in its entirety as set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

     FIFTH:  That the executed  Merger  Agreement is on file at an office of the
Surviving Corporation located at 2440 Research Boulevard,  Suite 400, Rockville,
Maryland 20850.


                                      -1-

<PAGE>



     SIXTH:  That a copy  of the  Merger  Agreement  will  be  furnished  by the
Surviving  Corporation,  on request and without cost, to any  stockholder of the
constituent corporations

          IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc.  has caused  this
Certificate of Merger to be signed by David J. Frear,  its  authorized  officer,
this 20th day of March 1998.


                                       ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          David J. Frear
                                          Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                          Officer and Treasurer





                                      -2-

<PAGE>



                                    Exhibit A

                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.


1.   The name of the  corporation  (the  "Corporation")  is Loral Orion  Network
Systems, Inc.

2.   The address of the  registered  office of the  Corporation  in the State of
Delaware is 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington,  County of New Castle.
The name of the  registered  agent of the  Corporation  at such  address  is The
Corporation Trust Company.

3.   The nature of the  business of, and the purpose to be conducted or promoted
by,  the  Corporation  is to  engage in any  lawful  act or  activity  for which
corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

4.   The  total  number of shares of stock  which  the  Corporation  shall  have
authority to issue is one thousand  (1,000)  shares of Common  Stock,  par value
$.01 per share.

5.   In furtherance and not in limitation of the power conferred by statute, the
by-laws of the  Corporation  may be made,  altered,  amended or  repealed by the
stockholders or by a majority of the entire board of directors.

6.   Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed  between this  Corporation
and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this  Corporation  and its
stockholders  or any class of them, any court of equitable  jurisdiction  within
the  State  of  Delaware  may,  on the  application  in a  summary  way of  this
Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder  thereof or on the  application of
any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under the provisions of
Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in
dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware  Code,  order a meeting
of the creditors or class of creditors,  and/or of the  stockholders or class of
stockholders  of this  Corporation,  as the case may be, to be  summoned in such
manner  as  the  said  court  directs.  If a  majority  in  number  representing
three-fourths  in value of the  creditors or class of  creditors,  and/or of the
stockholders or class of stockholders of this  Corporation,  as the case may be,
agree  to any  compromise  or  arrangement  and to any  reorganization  of  this
Corporation  as  consequence  of  such  compromise  or  arrangement,   the  said
compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization


                                      -3-

<PAGE>



shall,  if sanctioned by the court to which the said  application has been made,
be  binding  on  all  the  creditors  or  class  of  creditors,  and/or  on  all
stockholders or class of stockholders of this  Corporation,  as the case may be,
and also on this Corporation.

7.   Elections of directors need not be by written ballot.

8.   Indemnification.

     A. Authorization of  Indemnification.  Each person who was or is a party or
is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative  and whether by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise (a
"proceeding"),  by reason of the fact that he or she,  or a person of whom he or
she  is the  legal  representative,  is or  was a  director  or  officer  of the
Corporation  or is or  was  serving  at the  request  of  the  Corporation  as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership,
joint venture,  trust or other enterprise,  including service with respect to an
employee benefit plan, shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right
to be) indemnified  and held harmless by the  Corporation  (and any successor to
the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized by, and
subject to the conditions and (except as provided  herein)  procedures set forth
in the Delaware General  Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be
amended  (but any such  amendment  shall not be deemed to limit or prohibit  the
rights  of  indemnification  hereunder  for past acts or  omissions  of any such
person insofar as such amendment limits or prohibits the indemnification  rights
that said law permitted  the  Corporation  to provide prior to such  amendment),
against  all  expenses,  liabilities  and  losses  (including  attorney's  fees,
judgments,  fines,  ERISA taxes or  penalties  and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement)  reasonably  incurred  or  suffered  by such  person  in  connection
therewith;  provided,  however,  that the  Corporation  shall indemnify any such
person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such person  (except for a suit or action  pursuant to subsection B
only if such  proceeding  (or  part  thereof)  was  authorized  by the  board of
directors of the  Corporation.  Persons who are not directors or officers of the
Corporation  may be  similarly  indemnified  in respect  of such  service to the
extent authorized at any time by the board of directors of the Corporation.  The
indemnification  conferred in this  subsection A also shall include the right to
be  paid  by the  Corporation  (and  such  successor)  the  expenses  (including
attorney's  fees)  incurred in the defense of or other  involvement  in any such
proceeding  in  advance  of its final  disposition  (including  in the case of a
director or former director expenses of separate legal counsel,  up to a maximum
of $50,000,  but only in the event that the  director or former  director as the
indemnified party reasonably determines, assuming an outcome unfavorable to such
indemnified  party, that there is a reasonable  probability that such proceeding
may materially and adversely affect such indemnified party, or that there may be
legal defenses available to such indemnified


                                      -4-

<PAGE>



party  that  are  different  from  or in  addition  to  those  available  to the
Corporation); provided, however, that, if and to the extent the Delaware General
Corporation  Law requires,  the payment of such expenses  (including  attorney's
fees) incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of a
proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such  director  or  officer  to repay all  amounts so paid in
advance if it shall  ultimately be  determined  that such director or officer is
not  entitled  to be  indemnified  under this  subsection  A or  otherwise;  and
provided further, that, such expenses incurred by other employees and agents may
be so paid in advance  upon such terms and  conditions,  if any, as the board of
directors deems appropriate.

     B. Right of Claimant to Bring Action  against the  Corporation.  If a claim
under subsection A of this section is not paid in full by the Corporation within
sixty days  after a written  claim has been  received  by the  Corporation,  the
claimant may at any time  thereafter  bring an action against the Corporation to
recover the unpaid  amount of the claim and, if  successful in whole or in part,
the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expenses of prosecuting  such
action.  It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action  brought
to enforce a claim for expenses  incurred in connection  with any  proceeding in
advance of its final  disposition  whether the required  undertaking,  if any is
required,  has been tendered to the  Corporation)  that the claimant has not met
the standards of conduct which make it  permissible  under the Delaware  General
Corporation  Law for the  Corporation  to indemnify  the claimant for the amount
claimed or is otherwise not entitled to  indemnification  under  subsection A of
this section but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation.
The  failure of the  Corporation  (in the  manner  provided  under the  Delaware
General  Corporation  Law) to have  made a  determination  prior to or after the
commencement  of such action that  indemnification  of the claimant is proper in
the circumstances  because he or she has met the applicable  standard of conduct
set forth in the Delaware General  Corporation Law shall not be a defense to the
action or create a  presumption  that the  claimant  has not met the  applicable
standard of conduct.  An actual  determination by the Corporation (in the manner
provided under the Delaware  General  Corporation Law) after the commencement of
such action that the  claimant has not met such  applicable  standard of conduct
shall not be a defense to the action,  but shall create a  presumption  that the
claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

     C.  Non-exclusivity.  The rights to indemnification  and advance payment of
expenses  provided by subsection A of this section shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which those seeking  indemnification  and advance payment
of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement,  vote of stockholders or
disinterested  directors or otherwise,  both as to action in his or her official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.


                                      -5-

<PAGE>



     D. Survival of Indemnification.  The indemnification and advance payment of
expenses and rights thereto provided by, or granted pursuant to, subsection A of
this section  shall,  unless  otherwise  provided  when  authorized or ratified,
continue  as to a person who has ceased to be a director,  officer,  employee or
agent and shall inure to the  benefit of the  personal  representatives,  heirs,
executors and administrators of such person.

     E.  Insurance.  The  Corporation  shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation
as a  director,  officer,  employee  or agent  of  another  corporation  or of a
partnership,  joint venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  against any liability
asserted against such person or incurred by such person in any such capacity, or
arising out of such person's  status as such, and related  expenses,  whether or
not the  Corporation  would have the power to indemnify such person against such
liability under the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.





                                      -6-




                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2


                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
                         CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.


     Loral Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc. a  corporation  organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the  "Corporation"),
does hereby certify that:

     The amendment to the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation set
forth below has been duly adopted in accordance  with the  provisions of Section
242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"):

     1.   The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended
          by striking  Paragraph 1 thereof in its entirety and inserting in lieu
          thereof the following:

               "The name of the  Corporation is Loral Orion,  Inc.  (hereinafter
          called the "Corporation")."

     IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  Corporation  has  caused  this  Certificate  of
Amendment to be duly executed and acknowledged in accordance with Section 103 of
the DGCL.

                                              LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

                                              By:
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Name: Avi Katz
                                                 Title: Vice President






                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.3


                                LORAL ORION, INC.

                         Incorporated Under the Laws of
                              the State of Delaware

                                     BY-LAWS

                                    ARTICLE I
                                     OFFICES

     The  registered  office of the  Corporation  in  Delaware  shall be at 1209
Orange Street in the City of Wilmington,  County of New Castle,  in the State of
Delaware,  and The Corporation Trust Company shall be the resident agent of this
Corporation in charge thereof.  The Corporation may also have such other offices
at such other places,  within or without the State of Delaware,  as the Board of
Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may
require.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

     Section 1.  Annual  Meeting.  The annual  meeting of  stockholders  for the
election of directors and the transaction of any other business shall be held on
the day of each year, or as soon after such date as may be practicable,  in such
city and state and at such time and place as may be  designated  by the Board of
Directors,  and set forth in the notice of such meeting.  If said day be a legal
holiday,  said meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day. At the
annual  meeting any business may be transacted  and any corporate  action may be
taken,  whether  stated in the  notice of meeting  or not,  except as  otherwise
expressly provided by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation.

     Section 2. Special  Meetings.  Special meetings of the stockholders for any
purpose  may be  called  at  any  time  by the  Board  of  Directors,  or by the
President, and shall be called by the President at the request of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding  shares of capital stock entitled to vote. Special
meetings  shall be held at such place or places  within or without  the State of
Delaware as shall from time to time be  designated by the Board of Directors and
stated in the notice of such meeting.  At a special meeting no business shall be
transacted and no corporate  action shall be taken other than that stated in the
notice of the meeting.

     Section 3. Notice of Meetings.  Written notice of the time and place of any
stockholder's  meeting,  whether  annual  or  special,  shall  be  given to each
stockholder  entitled to vote  thereat,  by personal  delivery or by mailing the
same  to him  at his  address  as the  same  appears  upon  the  records  of the
Corporation  at least ten (10) days but not more than sixty (60)


<PAGE>



days before the day of the meeting.  Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be
given  except by  announcement  at the meeting so  adjourned,  unless  otherwise
ordered in connection with such adjournment.  Such further notice, if any, shall
be given as may be required by law.

     Section 4. Quorum. Any number of stockholders,  together holding at least a
majority of the capital  stock of the  Corporation  issued and  outstanding  and
entitled to vote,  who shall be present in person or represented by proxy at any
meeting  duly  called,  shall  constitute  a quorum  for the  transaction  of al
business,   except  as  otherwise   provided  by  law,  by  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation or by these By-laws.

     Section 5.  Adjournment of Meetings.  If less than a quorum shall attend at
the time for which a meeting  shall have been  called,  the  meeting may adjourn
from time to time by a majority vote of the stockholders  present or represented
by proxy and entitled to vote without  notice other than by  announcement  a the
meeting  until a quorum shall  attend.  Any meeting at which a quorum is present
may also be  adjourned in like manner and for such time or upon such call as may
be determined by a majority vote of the  stockholders  present or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote. At any adjourned  meeting at which a quorum shall be
present,  any business may be transacted  and any corporate  action may be taken
which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

     Section 6. Voting List. The Secretary  shall prepare and make, at least ten
days before every  election of directors,  a complete  list of the  stockholders
entitled to vote, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each
stockholder  and the  number of shares of each  stockholder.  Such list shall be
open at the place  where the  election  is to be held for said ten days,  to the
examination of any  stockholder,  and shall be produced and kept at the time and
place of election  during the whole time thereof,  and subject to the inspection
of any stockholder who may be present.

     Section 7.  Voting.  Each  stockholder  entitled to vote at any meeting may
vote either in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted on or after three
years  from its date,  unless  said proxy  provides  for a longer  period.  Each
stockholder  entitled  to vote  shall at every  meeting of the  stockholders  be
entitled  to one  vote for each  share  of stock  registered  in his name on the
record of stockholders.  At all meetings of stockholders all matters,  except as
otherwise  provided by statute,  shall be determined by the affirmative  vote of
the majority of shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the
subject  matter.  Voting at  meetings  of  stockholders  need not be by  written
ballot.

     Section  8.  Record  Date  of  Stockholders.  The  Board  of  Directors  is
authorized to fix in advance a date not  exceeding


                                      -2-

<PAGE>



sixty  days  nor  less  than  ten days  preceding  the  date of any  meeting  of
stockholders,  or the date for the payment of any dividend,  or the date for the
allotment of rights,  or the date when any change or  conversion  or exchange of
capital stock shall go into effect,  or a date in connection  with obtaining the
consent of stockholders for any purposes, as a record date for the determination
of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, and
any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend, or
to any such  allotment  of rights,  or to exercise  the rights in respect of any
such change,  conversion or exchange of capital stock,  or to give such consent,
and, in such case,  such  stockholders  and only such  stockholders  as shall be
stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of,
and to vote at, such meeting, and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment
of such dividend,  or to receive such  allotment of rights,  or to exercise such
rights,  or to give  such  consent,  as the  case  may be,  notwithstanding  any
transfer  of any stock on the books of the  Corporation,  after such record date
fixed as aforesaid.

     Section 9. Action Without  Meeting.  Any action required or permitted to be
taken at any annual or special  meeting of  stockholders  may be taken without a
meeting,  without  prior notice and without a vote,  if a consent or consents in
writing,  setting  forth the action so taken,  shall be signed by the holders of
outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be
necessary  to  authorize  or take such  action at a meeting  at which all shares
entitled to vote  thereon  were  present and voted and shall be delivered to the
Corporation by delivery to its registered  office in the State of Delaware,  its
principal place of business,  or an officer or agent of the  Corporation  having
custody  of the  book in which  proceedings  of  meetings  of  stockholders  are
recorded.  Delivery made to the Corporation's registered office shall be by hand
or by certified or registered mail, return receipt  requested.  Prompt notice of
the taking of the  corporate  action  without a meeting  by less than  unanimous
written consent shall be given to those stockholders.

     Section 10.  Conduct.  The  Chairman of the Board of  Directors  or, in his
absence the  President or any Vice  President  designated by the Chairman of the
Board, shall preside at all regular or special meetings of stockholders.  To the
maximum extent  permitted by law, such presiding  person shall have the power to
set  procedural  rules,  including but not limited to rules  respecting the time
allotted to stockholders to speak,  governing all aspects of the conduct of such
meetings.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                    DIRECTORS

     Section 1. Number and Qualifications.  The Board of Directors shall consist
initially of three directors, and thereafter shall consist of such number as may
be fixed from time


                                      -3-

<PAGE>



to time by resolution of the Board. The directors need not be stockholders.

     Section 2.  Election of Directors.  The  directors  shall be elected by the
stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders.

     Section 3. Duration of Office.  The directors  chosen at any annual meeting
shall,  except as  hereinafter  provided,  hold  office  until  the next  annual
election and until their successors are elected and qualify.

     Section 4.  Removal and  Resignation  of  Directors.  Any  director  may be
removed from the Board of Directors,  with or without cause, by the holders of a
majority  of the shares of capital  stock  entitled  to vote,  either by written
consent or  consents or at any special  meeting of the  stockholders  called for
that purpose, and the office of such director shall forthwith become vacant.

     Any director may resign at any time. Such resignation  shall take effect at
the time  specified  therein,  and if no time be  specified,  at the time of its
receipt by the President or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not
be necessary to make it effective, unless so specified therein.

     Section 5. Filling of Vacancies. Any vacancy among the directors, occurring
from  any  cause  whatsoever,  may be  filled  by a  majority  of the  remaining
directors,  though less than a quorum, provided,  however, that the stockholders
removing any  director  may at the same meeting fill the vacancy  caused by such
removal,  and provided,  further,  that if the  directors  fail to fill any such
vacancy,  the  stockholders  may at any special  meeting called for that purpose
fill such  vacancy.  In case of any  increase  in the number of  directors,  the
additional  directors  may be elected by the  directors  in office  before  such
increase.

     Any person  elected to fill a vacancy  shall  hold  office,  subject to the
right of removal as  hereinbefore  provided,  until the next annual election and
until his successor is elected and qualifies.

     Section 6. Regular  Meetings.  The Board of Directors  shall hold an annual
meeting for the purpose of  organization  and the  transaction  of any  business
immediately after the annual meeting of the  stockholders,  provided a quorum of
directors is present. Other regular meetings may be held at such times as may be
determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

     Section 7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may
be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President.


                                      -4-

<PAGE>



     Section 8. Notice and Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors
may be held at the principal office of the  Corporation,  or at such other place
as shall be stated in the notice of such meeting. Notice of any special meeting,
and,  except as the Board of Directors  may otherwise  determine by  resolution,
notice of any regular meeting also,  shall be mailed to each director  addressed
to him at his  residence or usual place of business at least two days before the
day on  which  the  meeting  is to be held,  or if sent to him at such  place by
telegraph or cable, or delivered personally or by telephone,  not later than the
day before the day on which the  meeting is to be held.  No notice of the annual
meeting of the Board of  Directors  shall be required if it is held  immediately
after the annual meeting of the stockholders and if a quorum is present.

     Section 9.  Business  Transacted  at  Meetings,  etc.  Any  business may be
transacted  and any  corporate  action  may be taken at any  regular  or special
meeting of the Board of Directors  at which a quorum  shall be present,  whether
such business or proposed action be stated in the notice of such meeting or not,
unless special  notice of such business or proposed  action shall be required by
statute.

     Section 10.  Quorum.  A majority of the Board of  Directors  at any time in
office shall  constitute a quorum.  At any meeting at which a quorum is present,
the vote of a majority of the members  present  shall be the act of the Board of
Directors unless the act of a greater number is specifically  required by law or
by the Certificate of Incorporation  or these By-laws.  The members of the Board
shall act only as the Board and the  individual  members  thereof shall not have
any powers as such.

     Section 11. Compensation. The directors shall not receive any stated salary
for their  services as directors,  but by resolution of the Board of Directors a
fixed fee and  expenses  of  attendance  may be allowed for  attendance  at each
meeting.  Nothing herein  contained shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation  in any other  capacity,  as an  officer,  agent or  otherwise,  and
receiving compensation therefor.

     Section 12. Action Without a Meeting.  Any action  required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors,  or of any committee thereof,
may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee,  as the
case may be, consent  thereto in writing,  and the writing or writings are filed
with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee.

     Section 13. Meetings Through Use of  Communications  Equipment.  Members of
the Board of Directors,  or any committee  designated by the Board of Directors,
shall,  except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or
these  By-laws,  have the  power to  participate  in a  meeting  of the Board of
Directors,  or any  committee,  by means of a  conference  telephone


                                      -5-

<PAGE>



or similar communications  equipment by means of which all persons participating
in the meeting  can hear each other,  and such  participation  shall  constitute
presence in person at the meeting.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   COMMITTEES

     Section 1. Executive  Committee.  The Board of Directors may, by resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board,  designate  two or more of their number
to  constitute  an  Executive  Committee  to hold office at the  pleasure of the
Board, which Committee shall, during the intervals between meetings of the Board
of  Directors,  have and exercise all of the powers of the Board of Directors in
the management of the business and affairs of the  Corporation,  subject only to
such restrictions or limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time
specify,  or as limited by the Delaware General  Corporation Law, and shall have
power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which
may require it.

     Any member of the Executive  Committee may be removed at any time,  with or
without cause, by a resolution of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.

     Any person  ceasing to be a director  shall ipso facto cease to be a member
of the Executive Committee.

     Any vacancy in the Executive  Committee occurring from any cause whatsoever
may be filled  from among the  directors  by a  resolution  of a majority of the
whole Board of Directors.

     Section 2. Other Committees.  Other  committees,  whose members need not be
directors,  may be  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Directors  or  the  Executive
Committee, which committees shall hold office for such time and have such powers
and  perform  such  duties as may from time to time be  assigned  to them by the
Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

     Any member of such a committee may be removed at any time,  with or without
cause,  by the Board of Directors or the Executive  Committee.  Any vacancy in a
committee  occurring  from any  cause  whatsoever  may be filled by the Board of
Directors or the Executive Committee.

     Section 3.  Resignation.  Any member of a committee may resign at any time.
Such  resignation  shall be made in writing  and shall  take  effect at the time
specified  therein,  or, if no time be specified,  at the time of its receipt by
the  President  or  Secretary.  The  acceptance  of a  resignation  shall not be
necessary to make it effective unless so specified therein.

     Section  4.  Quorum.  A  majority  of  the  members  of a  committee  shall
constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the members of a committee present
at any meeting at which a


                                      -6-

<PAGE>



quorum is present shall be the act of such committee. The members of a committee
shall act only as a committee, and the individual members thereof shall not have
any powers as such.

     Section 5. Record of  Proceedings,  etc. Each committee shall keep a record
of its acts and proceedings, and shall report the same to the Board of Directors
when and as required by the Board of Directors.

     Section 6. Organization,  Meetings,  Notices, etc. A committee may hold its
meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place which
a majority of the committee may at any time agree upon.  Each committee may make
such rules as it may deem  expedient for the  regulation  and carrying on of its
meetings and proceedings.  Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive  Committee,
any notice of a meeting of such  committee  may be given by the Secretary of the
Corporation or by the chairman of the committee and shall be sufficiently  given
if mailed to each  member at his  residence  or usual place of business at least
two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him at
such place by telegraph or cable,  or delivered  personally  or by telephone not
later than 24 hours before the time at which the meeting is to be held.

     Section 7. Compensation.  The members of any committee shall be entitled to
such  compensation  as may be  allowed  them  by  resolution  of  the  Board  of
Directors.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    OFFICERS

     Section 1. Number.  The officers of the  Corporation  shall be a President,
one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary,  one or more Assistant Secretaries,  a
Treasurer, and one or more Assistant Treasurers,  and such other officers as may
be appointed in accordance  with the  provisions of Section 3 of this Article V.
The Board of Directors in its  discretion may also elect a Chairman of the Board
of Directors.

     Section 2. Election Term of Office and Qualifications. The officers, except
as  provided  in Section 3 of this  Article V, shall be chosen  annually  by the
Board of  Directors.  Each  such  officer  shall,  except  as  herein  otherwise
provided,  hold  office  until his  successor  shall have been  chosen and shall
qualify. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, and the President shall
be  directors  of the  Corporation,  and  should  any one of them  cease to be a
director,  he shall ipso facto  cease to be such  officer.  Except as  otherwise
provided by law, any number of offices may be held by the same person.

     Section 3. Other Officers. Other officers, including one or more additional
vice-presidents, assistant secretaries or assistant treasurers, may from time to
time be appointed by the Board of  Directors,  which other  officers  shall have
such powers


                                      -7-

<PAGE>



and perform  such duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or
the officer or committee appointing them.

     Section 4.  Removal of  Officers.  Any  officer of the  Corporation  may be
removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of a majority of the Board
of Directors.

     Section 5.  Resignation.  Any officer of the  Corporation may resign at any
time.  Such  resignation  shall be in writing  and shall take effect at the time
specified  therein,  and if no time be specified,  at the time of its receipt by
the  President  or  Secretary.  The  acceptance  of a  resignation  shall not be
necessary in order to make it effective, unless so specified therein.

     Section 6. Fillings of  Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office shall be filled
by the Board of Directors or by the authority appointing the predecessor in such
office.

     Section 7. Compensation. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed by
the Board of Directors,  or by any committee  upon whom power in that regard may
be conferred by the Board of Directors.

     Section 8. Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of
Directors  shall be a director and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of
Directors  at which he shall be  present,  and shall have such power and perform
such  duties  as may  from  time to  time be  assigned  to him by the  Board  of
Directors.

     Section 9. President.  The President  shall,  when present,  preside at all
meetings of the  stockholders,  and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board
of Directors, at meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall have power to call
special  meetings of the  stockholders  or of the Board of  Directors  or of the
Executive  Committee at any time. He shall be the chief executive officer of the
Corporation,  and shall have the general direction of the business,  affairs and
property of the  Corporation,  and of its several  officers,  and shall have and
exercise  all such powers and  discharge  such duties as usually  pertain to the
office of President.

     Section 10. Vice Presidents.  The Vice Presidents,  or any of them,  shall,
subject  to the  direction  of the Board of  Directors,  at the  request  of the
President or in his absence,  or in case of his  inability to perform his duties
from any cause, perform the duties of the President,  and, when so acting, shall
have all the powers of, and be subject to all restrictions  upon, the President.
The Vice  Presidents  shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned to
them by the Board of  Directors,  and the Board of Directors  may  determine the
order of priority among them.


                                      -8-

<PAGE>



     Section 11.  Secretary.  The  Secretary  shall  perform  such duties as are
incident to the office of Secretary,  or as may from time to time be assigned to
him by the Board of Directors, or as are prescribed by these By-laws.

     Section 12.  Treasurer.  The  Treasurer  shall perform such duties and have
powers  as are  usually  incident  to the  office of  Treasurer  or which may be
assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  CAPITAL STOCK

     Section 1. Issue of  Certificates  of Stock.  Certificates of capital stock
shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. They shall
be numbered  in the order of their issue and shall be signed by the  Chairman of
the Board of  Directors,  the President or one of the Vice  Presidents,  and the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant  Treasurer,
and the seal of the  Corporation  or a facsimile  thereof  shall be impressed or
affixed or reproduced thereon,  provided,  however, that where such certificates
are signed by a transfer  agent or an assistant  transfer agent or by a transfer
clerk acting on behalf of the Corporation and a registrar,  the signature of any
such Chairman of the Board of Directors,  President, Vice President,  Secretary,
Assistant Secretary,  Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer may be facsimile. In case
any officer or officers who shall have signed,  or whose facsimile  signature or
signatures  shall have been used on any such  certificate or certificates  shall
cease to be such  officer or officers  of the  Corporation,  whether  because of
death,  resignation or otherwise,  before such certificate or certificates shall
have been delivered by the  Corporation,  such  certificate or certificates  may
nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though
the person or persons  who signed such  certificate  or  certificates,  or whose
facsimile  signature or signatures  shall have been used thereon have not ceased
to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.

     Section 2.  Registration  and  Transfer of Shares.  The name of each person
owning a share of the capital stock of the  Corporation  shall be entered on the
books of the  Corporation  together  with the number of shares held by him,  the
numbers of the certificates  covering such shares and the dates of issue of such
certificates.  The shares of stock of the  Corporation  shall be transferable on
the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person,  or by their duly
authorized attorneys or legal representatives,  on surrender and cancellation of
certificates for a like number of shares,  accompanied by an assignment or power
of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto,  duly executed,  and with such
proof of the  authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may
reasonably require. A record shall be made of each transfer.


                                      -9-

<PAGE>



     The Board of  Directors  may make other and further  rules and  regulations
concerning  the  transfer and  registration  of  certificates  for stock and may
appoint a transfer  agent or registrar or both and may require all  certificates
of stock to bear the signature of either or both.

     Section 3. Lost, Moved, Mutilated Certificates.  The holder of any stock of
the Corporation  shall  immediately  notify the Corporation of any loss,  theft,
destruction or mutilation of the  certificates  therefor.  The  Corporation  may
issue a new  certificate  of stock in the place of any  certificate  theretofore
issued by it alleged to have been lost,  stolen or  destroyed,  and the Board of
Directors  may,  in its  discretion,  require  the owner of the lost,  stolen or
destroyed certificate,  or his legal representatives,  to give the Corporation a
bond,  in such sum not  exceeding  double  the  value of the stock and with such
surety or sureties as they may  require,  to indemnify it against any claim that
may be made  against  it by  reason  of the  issue of such new  certificate  and
against all other  liability  in the  premises,  or may remit such owner to such
remedy or remedies as he may have under the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                            DIVIDENDS, SURPLUS, ETC.

     Section 1. General  Discretion of Directors.  The Board of Directors  shall
have  power to fix and vary the  amount to be set aside or  reserved  as working
capital of the Corporation,  or as reserves, or for other proper purposes of the
Corporation,   and,   subject  to  the   requirements   of  the  Certificate  of
Incorporation,  to  determine  whether  any, if any,  part of the surplus or net
profits  of the  Corporation  shall be  declared  as  dividends  and paid to the
stockholders, and to fix the date or dates for the payment of dividends.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the  Corporation  shall commence
on the first day of January and end on the last day of December.

     Section 2.  Corporate  Seal.  The  corporate  seal shall be in such form as
approved by the Board of  Directors  and may be altered at their  pleasure.  The
corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile  thereof to be impressed
or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

     Section 3.  Notices.  Except as  otherwise-expressly  provided,  any notice
required by these By-laws to be given shall be sufficient if given by depositing
the same in a post office or letter box in a sealed postpaid  wrapper  addressed
to the person  entitled  thereto at his  address,  as the same  appears upon the
books of the Corporation,  or by telegraphing or cabling the same


                                      -10-

<PAGE>



to such person at such addresses; and such notice shall be deemed to be given at
the time it is mailed, telegraphed or cabled.

     Section 4. Waiver of Notice.  Any  stockholder or director may at any time,
by writing or by  telegraph or by cable,  waive any notice  required to be given
under these By-laws,  and if any stockholder or director shall be present at any
meeting his presence shall constitute a waiver of such notice.

     Section 5. Checks,  Drafts. etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the
payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of
the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of
the Corporation, and in such manner, as shall from time to time be designated by
resolution of the Board of Directors.

     Section 6. Deposits.  All funds of the Corporation  shall be deposited from
time to time to the  credit of the  Corporation  in such  bank or  banks,  trust
companies or other  depositories as the Board of Directors may select,  and, for
the purpose of such deposit,  checks, drafts,  warrants and other orders for the
payment  of money  which are  payable  to the order of the  Corporation,  may be
endorsed for deposit,  assigned and delivered by any officer of the Corporation,
or by such agents of the  Corporation as the Board of Directors or the President
may authorize for that purpose.

     Section 7. Voting Stock of Other Corporations.  Except as otherwise ordered
by the Board of  Directors  or the  Executive  Committee,  the  President or the
Treasurer  shall have full power and authority on behalf of the  Corporation  to
attend  and to act  and  to  vote  at any  meeting  of the  stockholders  of any
corporation of which the  Corporation is a stockholder and to execute a proxy to
any other person to represent the  Corporation  at any such meeting,  and at any
such meeting the President or the Treasurer or the holder of any such proxy,  as
the case may be,  shall  possess and may  exercise any and all rights and powers
incident to ownership of such stock and which, as owner thereof, the Corporation
might have  possessed  and  exercised if present.  The Board of Directors or the
Executive  Committee  may from time to time  confer  like  powers upon any other
person or persons.

     Section 8.  Indemnification  of Officers and Directors.  Indemnification of
certain persons by the Corporation shall be as specified or determined  pursuant
to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as in effect from time to
time.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   AMENDMENTS

     The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, rescind,  alter, amend
and repeal these By-laws,  provided,  however,  that the stockholders shall have
power to  rescind,


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



alter, amend or repeal any by-laws made by the Board of Directors,  and to enact
by-laws  which if so  expressed  shall not be  rescinded,  altered,  amended  or
repealed  by the  Board of  Directors.  No  change  of the time or place for the
annual meeting of the  stockholders  for the election of directors shall be made
except in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.





                                      -12-



                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12


                                                                  Execution Copy


                      RESTATED DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN

          LORAL ORION, INC. (FORMERLY ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.) AND

                      THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS


     This  restated  agreement  is made  this  ____ day of  October,  1998  (the
"Effective  Date"),  by and between Loral Orion,  Inc., a Delaware  Corporation,
hereinafter  referred to as "LORAL  ORION" and formerly  known as Orion  Network
Systems,  Inc. ("ONS"),  and the Republic of the Marshall  Islands,  through the
Ministry of Transportation and  Communications,  hereinafter  referred to as the
"RMI."

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS,  the RMI and Asia Pacific Space and Communications,  Ltd. ("APSC")
entered  into a  Definitive  Agreement  dated  April 26,  1990 (the  "Definitive
Agreement");

     WHERAS, the RMI and APSC agreed to the assignment of all APSC rights to and
obligations  under the  Definitive  Agreement  to ONS along with  certain  other
modifications  to be restated  herein in a Restated  Amendment to the Definitive
Agreement dated May 25, 1997;

     WHEREAS, ONS was acquired in a merger by Loral Space & Communications, Ltd.
("Loral SC") on March 30, 1998 (the  "Merger") and as a result  thereof the name
of ONS was changed to Loral Orion, Inc.;

     WHEREAS, LORAL ORION is an international  communications company developing
a  satellite  communications  system to serve  significant  areas of the Pacific
Ocean Region, including coverage of the RMI;

     WHEREAS, the RMI is a sovereign nation located in the Central Pacific Ocean
Region;

     WHEREAS,  the RMI  desires  to enhance  and  expand its  telecommunications
capability and infrastructure;

     WHEREAS,  the parties  desire to do those things  necessary to enable LORAL
ORION to launch a satellite over the Pacific Ocean Region; and

     WHEREAS,  the RMI and LORAL ORION have reached  certain  understandings  in
principle and believe  there are mutual  benefits to be derived by restating the
Definitive  Agreement  with certain  modifications  as this Restated  Definitive
Agreement (along with the Appendices hereto, the "Agreement");


                                       1

<PAGE>



     NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed as follows:

1.   [ * ]

2.   [ * ]

3.   The parties  acknowledge that the RMI is a member of the ITU and understand
     that  matters  critical  to the  success  of the  Satellite  System  may be
     significantly affected by various actions of the ITU. [ * ]


                                       2

<PAGE>



4.   The  parties  acknowledge  that the RMI  desires to enhance  and expand its
     communications capabilities and infrastructure. [ * ]





                                       3

<PAGE>



5.   [ * ]


6.   [ *



                                       4

<PAGE>









                                        5
<PAGE>



     ]

7.   The  parties  acknowledge  that the  provisions  substantially  in the form
     contained in paragraphs 4,5,6 &7 shall be set forth in a separate agreement
     between Loral Orion and NTA.  Performance of the terms of such agreement by
     Loral Orion shall  satisfy its  obligations  to the RMI with respect to the
     Deliverables.  However,  in the event that NTA  declines to enter into such
     agreement for any reason,  such event shall not be deemed a breach or cause
     for termination of this agreement.  In such case, the Minister of Transport
     & Communications of the RMI will become the recipient of the Deliverables.

8.   [ * ]

9.   Within  forty-five  (45) days  after  the  Effective  Date  (the  "Purchase
     Period"),  LORAL ORION shall  purchase or otherwise  procure such number of
     shares of common stock of Loral SC equal to [


                                        6

<PAGE>



     ] Within  forty-five  (45) days [ * ], LORAL  ORION  shall  deliver the RMI
     Stock to the RMI. [ * ]


     In consideration of the foregoing, the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement
     between  LORAL ORION  (formerly  ONS) and the RMI,  dated  effective  as of
     December 10, 1996 [ * ] is hereby terminated without liability and shall be
     deemed null and void.

10.  [ * ]

11.  It is understood  that matters  affecting  the Satellite  System are highly
     confidential  and  proprietary.  The RMI agrees to take all  necessary  and
     reasonable  steps to limit the information  concerning the Satellite System
     to the fewest number of persons  possible within the RMI and to assure that
     such persons do not  communicate  matters  regarding LORAL ORION to others.
     Furthermore,  the existence of this Agreement or the  relationship  between
     the parties  hereto shall not be disclosed to any party except as necessary
     to carry out the purposes of this  Agreement  or as required by  applicable
     law.  Loral  Orion  acknowledges  that such  confidential  and  proprietary
     information  may be  disclosed  by the  RMI to the  extent  reasonable  and
     necessary to fulfill or satisfy any obligation  imposed by its constitution
     or laws or in the pursuit of a free and open Government.

12.  This  Agreement  shall become  effective  upon the Effective  Date continue
     until terminated under the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

13.  In the event either party is in default in the  performance of any material
     provision of this Agreement,  the nondefaulting party, upon written notice,
     may  terminate  this


                                       7

<PAGE>



     Agreement;   provided,  however,  that  prior  to  such  termination,   the
     non-defaulting  party must notify the defaulting party, in writing,  of the
     specific  provision which has not been performed,  the conduct  required to
     complete  performance and cure the alleged  default,  and a request to cure
     the alleged default. Upon receipt of the notice specifying the default, the
     other party shall have 45 days to submit a written Response.  Said Response
     shall state either that there has been no failure to perform and no default
     has occurred and an explanation  thereof, or that the default will be cured
     and describing the actions it intends to take and a reasonable  schedule to
     complete these actions.  If the default continues after the expiration of a
     reasonable time to cure, as set forth in the Response,  the  non-defaulting
     party,  in addition to any other remedy at law or equity,  may then forward
     to the defaulting party a Notice of Termination

14.  Neither party to this Agreement  shall be in default because of its failure
     to perform or delay in  performance  caused by actions or failures of third
     parties,   acts  of  God,  acts  of  War,   natural   disasters,   acts  of
     subcontractors  beyond the  control of their  prime  contractor,  delays in
     shipment  of  goods,  or other  acts or  events  beyond  its  control  that
     materially  affect the  ability  of a party to perform  under the terms and
     conditions of this Agreement.

15.  Except as otherwise  provided herein,  this Agreement may not be terminated
     except by mutual agreement of the parties.

16.  [ * ]

17.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement  between the parties in
     connection  with the subject  matter of this  Agreement and may be altered,
     amended or replaced only by a duly executed  written  instrument.  No prior
     oral or written  understanding  or agreement  with respect to the terms and
     conditions  agreed  to  in  this  Agreement,   except  the  Confidentiality
     Agreement or as otherwise expressly  incorporated herein, shall be valid or
     enforceable.

18.  This Agreement may be altered or amended only by mutual agreement set forth
     in writing and properly executed by the respective parties hereto.

19.  This  Agreement  may be executed in two or more  counterparts,  which taken
     together constitute one single contract between the parties.


                            {signature page follows}


                                       8

<PAGE>




     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have  executed  this  Agreement as of the
     Effective Date:


     Republic of the Marshall Islands         Loral Orion, Inc.

     -------------------------                ------------------------
     Kunio D. Lemari                          Richard H. Shay
     Minister of Transportation               Sr. Vice President, Law and Admin.
     P.O. Box 2                               2440 Research Boulevard
     Majuro, Marshall Islands                 Rockville, Maryland
     MH  96960                                USA 20850


     Approved as to form:                     Certified no current
                                              appropriation is required:

     --------------------                     --------------------
     Attorney General                         Secretary of Finance


                                       9

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX I

           [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR APPENDIX I]








                                       10

<PAGE>




                                   APPENDIX II

          [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR APPENDIX II]








                                       11

<PAGE>




                                  APPENDIX III

          [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR APPENDIX III]










                                       12




                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.17


CONFIDENTIAL  TREATMENT HAS BEEN  REQUESTED FOR PORTIONS OF THIS  DOCUMENT.  THE
CONFIDENTIAL   PORTIONS  HAVE  BEEN  REDACTED  AND  FILED  SEPARATELY  WITH  THE
COMMISSION.

The portions of this Exhibit for which confidential treatment has been requested
are marked by bracket ([ ]). In addition, an asterisk ( * ) appears in the right
hand margin of each paragraph in which confidential treatment is included.


                           ORION-Z SPACECRAFT PURCHASE

                                    CONTRACT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                       LORAL ORION NETWORK SERVICES, INC.

                                       AND

                            SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC.

                            CONTRACT NO. SS/L-TP98024

                               PROPRIETARY NOTICE


THIS CONTRACT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROPRIETARY TO LORAL ORION
NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC. AND SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL,  INC. AND SHALL NOT BE PUBLISHED,
REPRODUCED,  COPIED,  DISCLOSED,  OR USED FOR OTHER  THAN ITS  INTENDED  PURPOSE
WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF LORAL
ORION NETWORK SERVICES, INC. AND SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC.


Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions

<PAGE>



                                      PARTS

PART 1 (A)     TERMS AND CONDITIONS, dated May 15, 1998

PART 1 (B)     PAYMENT MILESTONE SCHEDULE AND TERMINATION LIABILITY AMOUNTS

PART 1(C)      KEY CONTRACTOR POSITIONS, dated May 11, 1998

PART 2(A)      ORION-Z STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW), dated May 11, 1998

PART 2(B)      ORION-Z CONTRACT  DOCUMENTATION  REQUIREMENTS LIST (CDRL),  dated
               May 11, 1998

PART 3(A)      TECHNICAL  SPECIFICATIONS FOR ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT,  dated May 11,
               1998

PART 3(A)      ANNEX A, RADIATION ENVIRONMENT SPECIFICATION, dated May 11, 1998

PART 3(B)      ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT PRODUCT ASSURANCE  REQUIREMENTS,  dated April
               14, 1998

PART 3(C)      ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT  ON-GROUND TEST  REQUIREMENTS,  dated May 11,
               1998

PART 3(D)      ORION-Z IN-ORBIT  COMMISSIONING AND ACCEPTANCE TEST REQUIREMENTS,
               dated May 11, 1998

PART 3(E)      DYNAMIC SPACECRAFT SIMULATOR SPECIFICATION, dated May 11, 1998

PART 3(F)      ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT SCF AND SOFTWARE  REQUIREMENTS  SPECIFICATION
               (E191269), dated May 11, 1998

PART 4         RESERVED

PART 5         SATELLITE STORAGE PLAN, dated May 11, 1998



Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions

<PAGE>






                          ORION NETWORK SERVICES, INC.

                                    PART 1(A)

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS









Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions


<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION ...........................................  1

1.1  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS ....................................................  1

1.2  OTHER TERMS ............................................................  7

1.3  PARTS ..................................................................  8

1.4  INTEGRATION AND CONSTRUCTION ...........................................  8

1.5  HEADINGS ...............................................................  9


2.   CONTRACTOR SCOPE OF WORK ...............................................  9

2.1  SCOPE OF WORK ..........................................................  9


3.   ORION SCOPE OF WORK ....................................................  9

3.1  SCOPE OF WORK ..........................................................  9


4.   CONTRACT PRICE AND OTHER CHARGES .......................................  9

4.1  GENERAL ................................................................  9

4.2  CONTRACT PRICE ......................................................... 10


5.   INVOICING AND PAYMENT .................................................. 10

5.1  INVOICING .............................................................. 10

5.2  PAYMENT ................................................................ 11

5.3  METHOD OF PAYMENT ...................................................... 13

5.4  LATE PAYMENT FEE ....................................................... 13

5.5  OTHER PAYMENTS ......................................................... 13

5.6  RIGHT OF SET-OFF ....................................................... 13

5.7  DISPUTED CHARGES ....................................................... 14


6.   DELIVERY ............................................................... 14

6.1  DELIVERY SCHEDULE ...................................................... 14

6.2  DELAY .................................................................. 15

6.3  EXCUSABLE DELAY ........................................................ 15


7.   ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND FINAL ACCEPTANCE ................................ 16

7.1  GENERAL ................................................................ 16

7.2  ACCEPTANCE TESTING ..................................................... 16


Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions
Issue 1


<PAGE>



7.3  PRE-LAUNCH CERTIFICATION ............................................... 16

7.4  FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF DATA AND DOCUMENTATION ............................. 16

7.5  FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF ORION-Z SPACECRAFT ................................. 17


8.   TITLE TO DELIVERABLE ITEMS AND RISK OF LOSS ............................ 18

8.1  ORION-Z SPACECRAFT ..................................................... 18

8.2  DATA AND DOCUMENTATION ................................................. 19

8.3  OTHER DELIVERABLE ITEMS ................................................ 19


9.   CHANGES IN SCOPE OF WORK ............................................... 19

9.1  CHANGES REQUESTED BY ORION ............................................. 19

9.2  CHANGES REQUESTED BY CONTRACTOR ........................................ 20


10.  CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN UNLAUNCHED SATELLITES ........................... 20

10.1 CORRECTIVE MEASURES .................................................... 20

10.2 MANUFACTURERS' WARRANTIES .............................................. 22

10.3 REPLACED EQUIPMENT ..................................................... 23

10.4 IN-ORBIT DATA .......................................................... 23


11.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ......................................... 23

11.1 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL ................................................... 23

11.2 SOFTWARE AND INVENTION OWNERSHIP ....................................... 23

11.3 AUTHORIZATION .......................................................... 23

11.4 INDUCEMENTS ............................................................ 23


12.  IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE WARRANTY AND INCENTIVE PAYMENTS ................... 24

12.1 IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE WARRANTY .......................................... 24

12.2 ADVANCE INCENTIVE PAYMENT AT FINAL ACCEPTANCE .......................... 24

12.3 MONTHLY TRANSPONDER INCENTIVE AMOUNT ................................... 28

12.4 MONTHLY POWER INCENTIVE AMOUNT ......................................... 33

12.5 MEASURING IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE ......................................... 37

12.6 ECLIPSE ................................................................ 37

12.7 DISPUTED PERFORMANCE ................................................... 37


13.  INSURANCE .............................................................. 38

13.1 GENERAL ................................................................ 38

13.2 REQUIRED INSURANCE ..................................................... 38


Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions
Issue 1


<PAGE>



13.3 SUBCONTRACTS............................................................ 40

13.4 DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.................................................... 40

13.5 CLAIMS.................................................................. 40


14.  ADDITIONAL SATELLITE OPTION............................................. 40

14.1 DELIVERY SCHEDULE....................................................... 40

14.2 PRICE................................................................... 41

14.3 ADDITIONAL SATELLITE CONTRACT PROVISIONS................................ 41


15.  INDEMNIFICATION,  INTER-PARTY WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AND LIMITATION
     OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY ................................ 41

15.1 INDEMNITY BY CONTRACTOR................................................. 41

15.2 INDEMNITY BY ORION...................................................... 42

15.3 INFRINGEMENT............................................................ 43

15.4 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES.............................................. 43

15.5 INTER-PARTY WAIVER OF LIABILITY FOR LAUNCH OPERATIONS................... 44

15.6 WAIVER OF SUBROGATION................................................... 45

15.7 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY................................................. 45

15.8 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.................................................. 45


16.  DISPUTE RESOLUTION...................................................... 46

16.1 INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION............................................. 46

16.2 ARBITRATION............................................................. 46

16.3 LITIGATION.............................................................. 48


17.  TERMINATION............................................................. 49

17.1 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE............................................. 49

17.2 TERMINATION FOR CONTRACTOR'S DEFAULT.................................... 50

17.3 TERMINATION FOR EXCUSABLE DELAY......................................... 52

17.4 TERMINATION FOR ORION'S DEFAULT......................................... 53

17.5 MITIGATION OF DAMAGES................................................... 54

17.6 RESOLUTION EFFORTS...................................................... 55

17.7 CONTINUED PERFORMANCE................................................... 55


18.  KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL................................................ 55

18.1 KEY POSITIONS........................................................... 55

18.2 ASSIGNMENT OF KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL.................................. 55


Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions
Issue 1


<PAGE>



18.3 APPROVED KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL....................................... 56


19.  PERMITS, LICENSES AND GOVERNMENT APPROVALS.............................. 56

19.1 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY AND EXPENSES.................................. 56

19.2 ORION REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT APPLICATIONS................................. 56

19.3 COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS................................. 56


20.  ACCESS TO WORK IN PROGRESS.............................................. 57

20.1 GENERAL................................................................. 57

20.2 OFFICE SPACE AND FACILITIES............................................. 57

20.3 DOCUMENTATION........................................................... 58

20.4 MEETINGS AND REVIEWS.................................................... 58

20.5 SUBCONTRACTS............................................................ 59


21.  LICENSE RIGHTS.......................................................... 59

21.1 SOFTWARE, INVENTIONS AND DATA AND DOCUMENTATION......................... 59

21.2 TECHNICAL DATA AND INFORMATION.......................................... 60


22.  CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION............ 63

22.1 DEFINITION AND EXEMPTIONS............................................... 63

22.2 PRIOR APPROVAL OF CERTAIN DISCLOSURES................................... 64

22.3 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS............................................. 64

22.4 COPYING................................................................. 65


23.  YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE.................................................... 65


24.  CONTRACT MANAGEMENT..................................................... 65

24.1 GENERAL................................................................. 65

24.2 APPROVALS AND ACCEPTANCES............................................... 65

24.3 CONTRACT MONITORING..................................................... 66

24.4 ORION CONSULTANTS....................................................... 66

24.5 SUBCONTRACTING.......................................................... 66


25.  GROUND STORAGE OPTION................................................... 69

25.1 NOTIFICATION............................................................ 69

25.2 STORAGE LOCATION........................................................ 69

25.3 STORAGE PRICES.......................................................... 69

25.4 INVOICING AND PAYMENT................................................... 69


Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions
Issue 1


<PAGE>



25.5  TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS................................................. 69

25.6  NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO LAUNCH A STORED SPACECRAFT................ 69

25.7  IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE WARRANTY AND PAYMENTS............................. 70


26.   LAUNCH VEHICLE AGENCY.................................................. 70

26.1  INSURANCE.............................................................. 70

26.2  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS................................... 70


27.   RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTRACT........................................ 71

27.1  ABILITY TO PERFORM..................................................... 71

27.2  FIXED CONTRACT PRICE................................................... 71

27.3  INCONSISTENCIES IN CONTRACT............................................ 71

27.4  SUBCONTRACTOR COOPERATION.............................................. 72


28.   GENERAL................................................................ 72

28.1  EFFECTIVE DATE OF CONTRACT............................................. 72

28.2  ASSIGNMENT............................................................. 72

28.3  ENTIRE AGREEMENT....................................................... 72

28.4  AMENDMENTS............................................................. 73

28.5  WAIVER OF BREACH OF CONTRACT........................................... 73

28.6  CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.................................................... 73

28.7  SEVERABILITY........................................................... 73

28.8  APPLICABLE LAW......................................................... 73

28.9  NOTICES................................................................ 73

28.10 CONTRACTOR NOT AGENT................................................... 74

28.11 SURVIVAL............................................................... 74

28.12 RELEASE OF INFORMATION................................................. 75

28.13 GOVERNMENT FILINGS..................................................... 75

28.14 IMPROPER PAYMENTS, KICKBACKS, GIFTS, AND GRATUITIES.................... 75

28.15 COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS........................................ 76

28.16 FINANCING.............................................................. 76


Part 1(A) Terms and Conditions
Issue 1

<PAGE>



                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

     THIS ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT  PURCHASE  CONTRACT (the  "Contract")  is made and
entered  into this 15th day of May,  1998 by and  between  Loral  Orion  Network
Services,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation  with its principal  offices located at
2440 Research Boulevard,  Rockville, Maryland 20850, U.S.A. ("ORION"), and Space
Systems/Loral, Inc., a company organized and existing under the laws of Delaware
with its principal  offices  located at 3825 Fabian Way,  Palo Alto,  California
94303  ("Contractor").  As used in the  Contract,  "Party" means either ORION or
Contractor, as appropriate, and "Parties" means ORION and Contractor.

     WHEREAS,  the primary object of ORION is the carrying on of the business of
providing a telecommunications system by the use of space satellites;

     WHEREAS, ORION anticipates providing the business referred to above through
the ORION satellite system ("ORIONSAT System");

     WHEREAS,  the ORION-Z Spacecraft to be constructed pursuant to the Contract
is intended to form part of the space segment of the ORIONSAT System;

     WHEREAS,  ORION and Contractor have agreed that Contractor will perform the
Work as  defined  below  and that  ORION  will pay for the Work on the terms and
conditions set out in the Contract;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the above  premises  and the mutual
covenants and agreements contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

1.   DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

1.1  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

          In the  Contract,  the following  terms shall have the meaning  stated
hereunder:

          (a) "ADDITIONAL  SATELLITE"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to it in
Article 14 (Additional Satellite).

          (b) "ADVANCE  INCENTIVE PAYMENT" means that portion of the Transponder
Orbital  Incentive  Amount and Power Orbital  Incentive  Amount paid by ORION to
Contractor as an advance incentive payment under Article 12.2 (Advance Incentive
Payment at Final Acceptance).

          (c)  "AGGREGATE  PREDICTED  TRANSPONDER  LIFE"  means  the  sum of the
Predicted Transponder Life of each and every Serviceable Transponder embodied in
the Launched ORION-Z Spacecraft.


                                       1

<PAGE>



          (d)  "ASSOCIATES"  means with  respect to an  entity,  its  directors,
officers, employees, agents, consultants, and assigns.

          (e) "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than the following: a Saturday,
Sunday or other day on which banks are  authorized  to be closed in the State of
New York.

          (f)  "CONSTRUCTIVE  TOTAL  LOSS"  shall have the  meaning set forth in
ORION's applicable launch insurance policy.

          (g) "CONSULTANT"  means any third party authorized by ORION to provide
technical and program  support and assistance in connection with the performance
of the Contract.

          (h) "CONTRACT" means the written  instrument  herein dated the day and
year first written above, including any amendments made pursuant to Article 28.4
(Amendments), embodying the agreement between Contractor and ORION and including
the Parts attached hereto and made a part of the Contract.

          (i)  "CONTRACT  DOCUMENTATION  REQUIREMENTS  LIST" or "CDRL" means the
documentation  requirements  listed in Part 2(B) to the Contract and provided to
Contractor.

          (j)  "CONTRACT  PRICE" means the total amount set forth in Article 4.2
(Contract Price).

          (k)  "CORRECTION  PLAN" means a plan  submitted  by  Contractor  which
details how  Contractor  shall correct (i) a failure to make  adequate  progress
towards completion of the Work or (ii) a default or breach under the Contract in
accordance with Article 17.2.

          (l) "DATA AND  DOCUMENTATION"  means that data and documentation to be
supplied by Contractor  pursuant to the  requirements of Part 2(A) (Statement of
Work) and Part 2(B) (Contract Documentation Requirements List).

          (m) "DEFECT"  means (i) with regard to the ORION-Z  Spacecraft and all
components thereof, any defect in design, material or workmanship, or failure to
perform in accordance with the  specifications  and requirements of the Contract
that results in , or is likely to result in , non-compliant  ORION-Z  Spacecraft
performance;  (ii) with  regard to  services,  a failure  to  conform  to a high
standard  consistent with industry  practice;  and (iii) with regard to Data and
Documentation, a failure to meet any specifications or requirements set forth in
the Contract.

          (n) "DELIVERABLE  ITEM" means the items listed in Table 6.1 of Article
6 (Delivery),  including the ORION-Z Spacecraft delivered in-orbit, and Data and
Documentation, and other items so identified in amendments to the Contract.

          (o) "DELIVER" and its derivatives (such as "Delivered" and "Delivery")
shall have the  meaning  set forth in Article  5.2  (Payment)  and  Article  6.1
(Delivery Schedule).


                                       2
<PAGE>



          (p) "DELIVERY DATES" means those dates set forth in Article 6.1.

          (q) "DELIVERY SCHEDULE" means the schedule for Delivery of the Work as
set forth in Table 6.1 of Article 6 (Delivery).

          (r) "DEMAND"  means, in the context of Article 17.2  (Termination  for
Contractor's  Default),  a demand by ORION made of Contractor  for Contractor to
provide a  Correction  Plan in the event  that  Contractor  is  failing  to make
adequate progress in the performance of the Contract or is in default or breach.

          (s) "EFFECTIVE DATE" or "EDC" means the effective date of the Contract
as set forth in Article 28.1 (Effective Date of Contract).

          (t)  "EQUIPMENT"  means  individual  assemblies,   parts  thereof  and
complete systems.

          (u)  "EXCUSABLE  DELAY"  has the  meaning  set  forth in  Article  6.3
(Excusable Delay).

          (v) "FINAL ACCEPTANCE" has the meaning set forth in Article 7.5 (Final
Acceptance of ORION-Z Spacecraft).

          (w)  "IN-ORBIT  ACCEPTANCE  REQUIREMENTS"  means  Part 3(D)  (In-Orbit
Commissioning and Acceptance Test Requirements).

          (x)  "IN-ORBIT  ACCEPTANCE  TEST PLAN" means that  document  that is a
Deliverable Item under Part 2(B) (Contract Documentation  Requirements List) and
as  described  in  Part  3(D)  (In-Orbit   Commissioning   and  Acceptance  Test
Requirements) of the Contract.

          (y) "IN-ORBIT  ACCEPTANCE TEST REPORT" or "IN-ORBIT ACCEPTANCE REPORT"
means  that  document  that is a  Deliverable  Item  under  Part 2(B)  (Contract
Documentation  Requirements  List) and as described in Part 2(A)  (Statement  of
Work) and Part 3(D) (In-Orbit Commissioning and Acceptance Test Requirements) of
the Contract.

          (z)  "IN-ORBIT  PERFORMANCE  WARRANTY  PERIOD"  shall have the meaning
ascribed to it in Article 12.1 (In-Orbit Performance Warranty).

          (aa)   "INCLUDING"  and  its   derivatives   (such  as  "include"  and
"includes")  shall mean including without  limitation.  This term is as defined,
whether or not capitalized in this Agreement.

          (bb)  "INITIAL  PAYMENT"  means  the  aggregate  amount   representing
cumulative  Milestone Payments due to Contractor as of the Effective Date of the
Contract as determined in accordance with Part 1(B) (Payment  Milestone Schedule
and Termination Liability Amounts).


                                       3
<PAGE>



          (cc)  "INTENTIONAL  IGNITION"  means the point in time in the ignition
process of an Ariane 44LP Launch  Vehicle,  for the purpose of Launch,  when the
command  signal sent from the launch  control  console is received by the Launch
Vehicle,  which  command  signal is intended  to and does ignite the  propellant
system for the purpose of Launch.

          (dd)  "INVOICE"  means an  invoice in the form of Annex A to this Part
1(A) of the Contract.

          (ee) "L-X" means x months  prior to the  Scheduled  Launch  Date.  For
example, if the Scheduled Launch Date is January 1, 1999, then L-6 means July 1,
1998.

          (ff)  "L+X"  means x months  after  the  Scheduled  Launch  Date.  For
example,  if the  Scheduled  Launch  Date is  January  1,  1999,  then L+1 means
February 1, 1999.

          (gg) "LAUNCH" means  Intentional  Ignition  followed by the opening of
the table clamps.

          (hh) "LAUNCH AGENCY" means Arianespace or such other  Subcontractor as
is  selected to supply,  integrate  and launch the Launch  Vehicle,  and provide
other launch services until separation of the ORION-Z Spacecraft from the Launch
Vehicle.

          (ii) "LAUNCH AGREEMENT" means the agreement between Contractor and the
Launch Agency to perform the launch of the ORION-Z Spacecraft.

          (jj)  "LAUNCH  SERVICES"  means  the  launch  campaign/transportation,
launch services,  mission planning and launch/early operations phase services as
more particularly set forth in Section 7 of Part 2(A) (Statement of Work).

          (kk)  "LAUNCH  TERMINATION"  means the point in time  when,  following
Terminated  Ignition,  the launch pad is officially  declared safe by the Launch
Agency

          (ll) "LAUNCH VEHICLE" means the Ariane 44LP.

          (mm) "LAUNCHED ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT" means the ORION-Z Spacecraft after
its Launch.

          (nn) "LOSSES" mean all losses, liabilities,  damages, royalty payments
and claims, and all related costs and expenses (including  reasonable legal fees
and disbursements and costs of investigation,  litigation, settlement, judgment,
interest and penalties).

          (oo)  "MAJOR  SUBCONTRACT"  means  a  Subcontract  that  is of a value
exceeding  Two  Million,  Five  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($2,500,000)  or  of
importance or critical in nature to



                                       4
<PAGE>



the overall program (e.g., a Subcontract for major or critical units, subsystems
or other items or services).

          (pp)  "MILESTONE  PAYMENT"  means those  payments  listed as Milestone
Payments in Part l(B)  (Payment  Milestone  Schedule and  Termination  Liability
Amounts) of the Contract.

          (qq) "MISSION  SPECIFIC  HARDWARE AND  SOFTWARE"  means those items of
hardware and software  described in Section 10 of Part 2(A)  (Statement of Work)
of the Contract.

          (rr) "MONTHLY POWER INCENTIVE AMOUNT" means the Power Incentive Amount
paid at Final Acceptance  divided into one hundred fifty-six (156) equal monthly
amounts.

          (ss) "MONTHLY  TRANSPONDER  INCENTIVE  AMOUNT"  means the  Transponder
Incentive  Amount paid at Final  Acceptance  divided into one hundred  fifty-six
(156) equal monthly amounts.

          (tt)  "ON-GROUND  TEST  REQUIREMENTS"  means  the test  plans and test
procedures set forth in Part 3(C) (On-Ground Test Requirements) of the Contract.

          (uu)  "ORBITAL  INCENTIVE  AMOUNT" means a firm fixed sum of [ ] * [ ]
equivalent to the sum of the Power Orbital  Incentive Amount and the Transponder
* Orbital Incentive Amount.

          (vv) "ORION PERSONNEL" mean ORION's employees or  representatives,  or
its Consultant's employees or representatives.

          (ww) "ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT"  means the satellite to be constructed  and
Delivered to ORION as part of the Work and as identified in Part 2(A) (Statement
of Work) of the Contract.

          (xx)  "PAYMENT  MILESTONE"  means the task to be performed or event to
occur before  payment is due under Article 5 (Invoicing  and Payment) and Part 1
(B) (Payment Milestone Schedule and Termination Liability Amounts).

          (yy) "POWER ORBITAL  INCENTIVE AMOUNT" means a firm fixed sum of [ ] *
[ ]. *

          (zz) "PREDICTED  TRANSPONDER LIFE" means the period of time,  measured
in years and  portions  thereof,  over which a  Serviceable  Transponder  can be
operated,  commencing  from the date of  Delivery  of the  Preliminary  In-Orbit
Acceptance Report,  this period of time being equal to whichever is the shortest
of:

               (1)  thirteen (13) years, or


                                       5
<PAGE>



               (2)  the ORION-Z Spacecraft  predicted propellant life calculated
                    in  accordance   with  Section  5  of  Part  3(D)  (In-Orbit
                    Commissioning  and  Acceptance  Test  Requirements)  of  the
                    Contract, or

               (3)  the  period  of time over  which  there is  predicted  to be
                    sufficient  solar  array power to operate  such  Serviceable
                    Transponder   co-extensively   with  all  other  Serviceable
                    Transponders,  calculated  in  accordance  with Section 5 of
                    Part  3(D)  (In-Orbit   Commissioning  and  Acceptance  Test
                    Requirements) of the Contract.

          (aaa)   "PRIMARY   TRANSPONDER"   means  a   transponder   where   the
communication signals are received from and transmitted to the ground.

          (bbb) "REVENUE" means all amounts received by ORION with respect to an
individual Primary Transponder,  whether as a result of its sale, lease, license
or other disposition, it being understood that, if said amounts are not received
in equal monthly  installments,  the total amount  received or to be received by
ORION shall be deemed received in equal monthly  installments over the remainder
of the Predicted Transponder Life of such Transponder.

          (ccc)  "SATISFACTORILY  OPERATING PRIMARY TRANSPONDER" means a Primary
Transponder  which is  capable  of  meeting  (i) the  requirements  of Part 3(A)
(Technical  Specifications for ORION-Z Spacecraft) regarding Primary Transponder
performance and (ii) the Primary Transponder Test Requirements set forth in Part
3(D) (In-Orbit Commissioning and Acceptance Test Requirements).

          (ddd) "SATURATED TRANSPONDER" means a Primary Transponder whose output
power  amplifier is driven at its maximum  designed  end-of-life RF power output
point.

          (eee) "SCHEDULED  LAUNCH DATE" means the calendar date on which Launch
is scheduled to occur.

          (fff)  "SENIOR   EXECUTIVE"  means  each  of  the  senior   executives
designated  from  time  to  time  in  writing,   by  ORION  and  by  Contractor,
respectively, to be their representatives for the purposes of dispute resolution
under the Contract.

          (ggg) "SERVICEABLE TRANSPONDER" means a Primary Transponder that meets
the requirements set forth in Section 5 of Part 3(D) (In-Orbit Commissioning and
Acceptance  Test  Requirements)  of the Contract and is determined,  pursuant to
Section  5.2  thereof,  to be  capable  of  operation  in  accordance  with such
requirements  during a period of eclipse. In the event that the Launched ORION-Z
Spacecraft has insufficient  energy to operate [ ] Serviceable * Transponders at
2.2 dB output  backoff and single  amplifier  mode in beginning of life eclipse,
those specific  Transponders,  if any, which failed the testing  requirements of
Section  5.2 of Part


                                       6

<PAGE>



3(D) will only be counted once in determining  the total number of  Transponders
that are Serviceable Transponders.

          (hhh)  "STATEMENT  OF WORK" or "SOW" means the Work  described in Part
2(A) (Statement of Work) to the Contract and to be provided by Contractor.

          (iii)  "SUBCONTRACT"  means a  contract  awarded  by  Contractor  to a
Subcontractor  or  a  contract  awarded  by  a  Subcontractor  at  any  tier  of
performance of any work specified in the Contract.

          (jjj)  "SUBCONTRACTOR"  means a person, firm,  corporation or business
entity  that  has  been  awarded  a   Subcontract   by   Contractor  or  another
Subcontractor to provide a portion of the Work covered by the Contract.

          (kkk) "TECHNICAL  SPECIFICATIONS"  means the technical  specifications
set forth in Part 3(A) (Technical  Specifications for ORION-Z Spacecraft) of the
Contract.

          (lll) "TERMINATED IGNITION" means, following Intentional Ignition, the
Launch sequence is shut down before Launch.

          (mmm)  "TERMINATION  LIABILITY  AMOUNTS"  means the amounts  listed as
Termination Liability Amounts in Part 1(B).

          (nnn)  "TRANSPONDER"  means  an  individual  transmission  channel  of
defined  bandwidth  providing  a path,  inclusive  of  amplification,  frequency
translation  and frequency  channelization,  from a receive antenna with defined
coverage and  polarization to a transmit  antenna also with defined coverage and
polarization.

          (ooo) "TRANSPONDER ORBITAL INCENTIVE AMOUNT" means a firm fixed sum of
[ ] * [ ]. *

          (ppp)  "WORK"  means  the  whole of the work  described  in Part  2(A)
(Statement  of Work) and  elsewhere  in the  Contract  and where the  context so
permits or requires,  "Work"  includes  any part or parts of the Work.  The Work
includes  all  elements  and  phases  of  delivering  the  operational   ORION-Z
Spacecraft in-orbit from design and manufacture, through Launch, Launch Services
and  in-orbit  testing,  including  provision  of all  Equipment  and  Data  and
Documentation related thereto,  including Deliverable Items, as specified in the
Contract.

1.2  OTHER TERMS.

     Other  terms in the  Contract  are defined in the context in which they are
used and shall have the meanings there indicated.


                                       7

<PAGE>



1.3  PARTS.

          The following documents hereby constitute the Contract:

          (a)  Part 1(A) - Terms and Conditions

          (b)  Part 1(B) - Payment Milestone Schedule and Termination  Liability
               Amount

          (c)  Part 1(C) - Key Contractor Positions

          (d)  Part 2(A) - ORION-Z Statement of Work (SOW)

          (e)  Part  2(B) - ORION-Z  Contract  Documentation  Requirements  List
               (CDRL)

          (f)  Part 3(A) - Technical Specifications for ORION-Z Spacecraft

          (g)  Part 3(A), Annex A - Radiation Environment Specification

          (h)  Part 3(B) - ORION-Z Spacecraft Product Assurance Requirements

          (i)  Part 3(C) - ORION-Z Spacecraft On-Ground Test Requirements

          (j)  Part 3(D) - ORION-Z  In-Orbit  Commissioning  and Acceptance Test
               Requirements

          (k)  Part 3(E) - Dynamic Spacecraft Simulator Specification

          (l)  Part  3(F) - ORION Z  Spacecraft  SCF and  Software  Requirements
               Specification

          (m)  Part 4 - RESERVED

          (n)  Part 5 - Satellite Storage Plan

1.4  INTEGRATION AND CONSTRUCTION.

          (a)  Notwithstanding  anything  herein to the contrary,  the documents
listed  in  Article  1.3  shall be deemed  to  constitute  one fully  integrated
agreement  between  the  Parties.  In the event of any  ambiguity,  conflict  or
inconsistency  among the  provisions of the various parts of the Contract,  such
conflict or  inconsistency  shall be resolved  by giving a  descending  level of
precedence to the documents listed in Article 1.3.


                                       8
<PAGE>



     (b) In the event the Parties are unable to resolve any ambiguity,  conflict
or  inconsistency  that  affects the Work,  ORION shall  direct  Contractor  and
Contractor shall follow such direction as to the  interpretation  to be followed
in carrying out the Work. If Contractor disputes ORION's interpretation and such
interpretation  results in delay and/or  increased  costs and/or  risks,  either
Party may proceed under Article 16 (Dispute Resolution) to resolve such dispute.

1.5  HEADINGS.

     The Article headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not be
considered  in  interpreting  the text of the  Contract.  Words in the  singular
include  the plural  and vice  versa and words  imputing  the  masculine  gender
include the feminine and neuter genders where the context so requires.


2.   CONTRACTOR SCOPE OF WORK

2.1  SCOPE OF WORK.

     Contractor  shall furnish the Work in accordance with the provisions of the
Contract. In the performance of the Work, Contractor shall supply all personnel,
materials and facilities necessary therefore.

3.   ORION SCOPE OF WORK

3.1  SCOPE OF WORK.

     The  primary  ORION  responsibilities  necessary  to enable  Contractor  to
perform Work in certain  defined areas are identified in Part 2(A) (Statement of
Work).

     Orion's failure to timely perform one or more of its responsibilities under
the Contract shall entitle Contractor to an equitable adjustment to the Contract
Price and Delivery  Schedule,  provided  Contractor  provides  ORION  reasonable
notice of non-performance and reasonable opportunity to cure.

4.   CONTRACT PRICE AND OTHER CHARGES

4.1  GENERAL.

     All  charges  for the Work are set forth in this  Article 4 and  Article 12
(In-Orbit  Performance  Warranty and Incentives) and, if an Additional Satellite
is ordered, Article 14 (Additional Satellite), and if ground storage is ordered,
Article 25 (Ground Storage Option),  as such articles may be amended pursuant to
Articles 8 (Changes in Scope of Work) and 28.4


                                       9

<PAGE>



(Amendments).  ORION shall not be required to pay Contractor any amounts for the
Work in addition to those  payable to  Contractor  under this Article 4, Article
12, Article 14 and Article 25.

4.2  CONTRACT PRICE.

     (a) ORION shall pay to Contractor the sum of One Hundred Fifty-Five Million
Five Hundred Thirty Thousand  Dollars  ($155,530,000)  as the Contract Price for
the  performance  of the Work  under  the  Contract.  Upon  the full and  timely
completion  and  delivery,  as required,  of the items of Work  specified in the
Contract,  and  acceptance  of such  items  by  ORION  in  accordance  with  the
requirements of the Contract,  Contractor  shall be entitled to payment by ORION
in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 (Invoicing and Payment).

     (b) The Contract Price shall comprise the following elements:


================================================================================
                            TABLE 4.2 CONTRACT PRICE
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM                                                                                 $U.S.

<S>                                                                                  <C>
1.      ORION-Z  Spacecraft  delivered in orbit  (including  cost of Ariane 44LP     $[              ] *
        Launch Vehicle, any Launch Services, Data and Documentation,  Operations
        Training,  Mission  Specific  Hardware  and  Software,  and the  Dynamic
        Software Simulator)

2.      Orbital Incentive Amount                                                     $[              ] *

        CONTRACT PRICE TOTAL                                                         $ 155,530,000
</TABLE>

     (c) The Contract  Price  includes  all charges for Data and  Documentation,
operations training,  interest,  the insurance specified in Article 13 and 26.1,
shipping costs and all other assessments, including all applicable duties and/or
taxes.  Contractor  shall pay any duty  and/or  tax  levied by any  governmental
agency as may be required by law to be paid in the  performance of  Contractor's
obligations  under the Contract.  Except as expressly  provided in the Contract,
the Contract  Price is not subject to any  escalation,  or to any  adjustment or
revision by reason of the actual cost incurred by Contractor in  performance  of
Contractor's obligations under the Contract.


                                       10

<PAGE>



5.   INVOICING AND PAYMENT

5.1  INVOICING.

     (a) Upon  successful  performance of the Work  associated with each Payment
Milestone,  Contractor  shall submit an Invoice in the amount  specified in Part
1(B) (Payment  Milestone  Schedule and Termination  Liability  Amounts) for that
Payment  Milestone.  Each such Invoice shall be  accompanied by a certificate in
the form of Annex A hereto  together  with such  supporting  data as  Contractor
deems necessary or appropriate. This Article 5.1 shall also apply to the Initial
Payment.

     (b) Except as otherwise  expressly stated herein,  all other amounts due to
Contractor  under  the  Contract  shall  be  invoiced  in  accordance  with  the
procedures set forth in this Article 5.1.

     (c) Contractor shall first submit its Invoice via electronic communications
media (e.g.,  facsimile) to be followed by the original Invoice.  Provided ORION
receives  the  original  Invoice  within  five (5)  days  after  receipt  of the
electronic  communication,  the date of receipt of the electronic  communication
shall be deemed the date of receipt of the  Invoice and the start of the payment
period;  otherwise,  the date of receipt of the original Invoice shall be deemed
the  date of  receipt  of the  Invoice  and the  start  of the  payment  period.
Contractor shall submit copies of the Invoice to:

               ORION
               2440 Research Boulevard
               Suite 400
               Rockville, Maryland 20850
               United States of America
               Fax: (301) 258-3360
               Attention: Denise Olmsted

5.2  PAYMENT.

     (a)  With  the  exception  of the  Initial  Payment,  which  shall  be paid
simultaneously  with  the  Effective  Date of the  Contract,  ORION  shall  make
Milestone  Payments to the Contractor in accordance  with the Milestone  Payment
Plan specified in Part 1(B) as adjusted by Article 28.4. Each Milestone  Payment
shall be payable by the  Contractor  submitting  to ORION a Request  for Payment
accompanied  by a certificate  in the form of Annex A hereto  together with such
supporting  documentation  the Contractor deems necessary or appropriate.  ORION
shall pay  Contractor,  within  thirty  (30) days from the date of  receipt  (as
determined in accordance with Article 5.1(c)) of such Invoice,  the total amount
claimed by  Contractor  on such Invoice;  provided,  however,  that (i) the Work
associated  with  the  applicable   Payment   Milestone  has  been  Successfully
Completed,  Conducted,  or Delivered (as each term is defined in Article  5.2(e)
below),  as applicable,  (ii) the  certificate in the form of Annex A hereto has
been  executed by



                                       11
<PAGE>



both ORION and  Contractor;  and (iii) for the month when such Invoice  would be
due for payment,  the aggregate amount (including such Invoice) paid by ORION to
that point in time would not exceed the aggregate amount scheduled to be paid to
that point in time in  accordance  with Part 1(B).  There  shall be only one (1)
payment made to Contractor per calendar month.

     (b) Where the thirty-day  period specified in (a) above causes a payment to
become due on a non-Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business
Day.

     (c) In the event Contractor  completes any Payment  Milestone in advance of
the time  scheduled  for payment of such Payment  Milestone as set forth in Part
1(B),  Contractor  shall  have the right to submit an Invoice  for such  Payment
Milestone  and ORION shall be required to pay such Invoice;  provided,  however,
that (i) the Work  associated with the Payment  Milestone has been  Successfully
Completed,  Conducted or Delivered,  as applicable,  and (ii) for the month when
such Invoice would be due for payment,  the  aggregate  amount  (including  such
Invoice)  paid by ORION to that point in time  would not  exceed  the  aggregate
amount scheduled to be paid to that point in time in accordance with Part 1(B).

     (d) The following terms shall have the meanings  stated herein,  applicable
to the Payment Milestones set forth in Part l(B):

          (1)  "SUCCESSFULLY  COMPLETED" as it pertains to test milestones means
          that:

                  (i)   test(s) shall have been conducted in accordance with the
                        applicable On-Ground Test Requirements;

                  (ii)  test results  shall be within the limits  prescribed  in
                        the On-Ground Test  Requirements,  or noncompliance with
                        such requirements  shall have been identified,  reviewed
                        and corrected in accordance with the Contract; and

                  (iii) test  results  shall  have been  provided  in writing to
                        ORION in accordance with the Contract.

          (2) "CONDUCTED" as it pertains to the conduct of design reviews means,
          as applicable, that:

               (i) design  review data  packages  shall have been  submitted  to
               ORION in accordance with the Contract;

               (ii)  design  review  meetings  shall have been held,  and action
               items and minutes issued, in accordance with the Contract; and

               (iii) design review action items have been completed.


                                       12

<PAGE>



               (3)  "DELIVERED"  means that the  applicable  item (for  example,
               ORION-Z Spacecraft, Launch Vehicle, Equipment, services, and Data
               and  Documentation)  described in Part 1 (B)  (Payment  Milestone
               Schedule  and  Termination  Liability  Amounts)  conforms  to the
               requirements  of the Contract and has been  delivered to ORION in
               accordance with the provisions of Article 6 (Delivery).

5.3  METHOD OF PAYMENT.

     (a) Amounts  payable to either Party shall be remitted by wire  transfer to
the following bank accounts, as applicable:

             ORION         The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
                           New York, New York
                           [                               ]                  *
                           For the account of Orion Network Systems, Inc.
                           [                                   ]              *

             Contractor    Bank of America, NT & SA
                           Chicago, Illinois
                           [                            ]                     *
                           For the account of Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
                           [                            ]                     *


     (b) Any  payment  shall be deemed to have  been  made when  credit  for the
amount is  established  in the above bank  account.  Each Party shall notify the
other in  writing  within  ten  (10)  days of a change  to its  respective  bank
accounts.

5.4  LATE PAYMENT FEE.

     Each Party shall be entitled to the  interest  due on any amounts  properly
due but not paid to such  Party for each day after the date such  amount is due.
Such  interest  shall  be  paid  within  ten  (10)  days  of  the  date  of  the
determination  such interest is due.  Interest shall be at an annual  compounded
rate of LIBOR plus three percent (3%).

5.5  OTHER PAYMENTS.

     Except as otherwise  expressly  stated  herein,  all other payments due and
payable to Contractor  shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth
in Article  5.3 (Method of  Payment)  within  thirty (30) days after the date of
receipt (as determined in accordance with Article  5.1(c)) of the  corresponding
Invoice.


                                       13

<PAGE>



5.6  RIGHT OF SET-OFF.

     Any amount payable or refundable by Contractor to ORION under the Contract,
including any payment due as a result of any price  adjustment for late delivery
or failure to earn  incentive  amounts,  and any finally  adjudicated  claim for
payment made by ORION against Contractor within the purview of the Contract, may
be deducted by ORION from any payment  due, or to become due, to  Contractor  on
any account  whatsoever  under the Contract as ORION in its sole  discretion may
decide.

5.7  DISPUTED CHARGES.

     Subject  to Article  5.6,  ORION  shall pay  undisputed  charges  when such
payments are due under this Article 5, Article 12 (In-Orbit Performance Warranty
and Incentives), Article 14 (Additional Satellite) or Article 25 (Ground Storage
Option).

6.   DELIVERY

6.1  DELIVERY SCHEDULE.

     (a) "Delivery"  shall be deemed to have occurred for each  Deliverable Item
upon its Final Acceptance by ORION. The Delivery of the ORION-Z Spacecraft is to
be in orbit.  Subject to Articles 6.3 and 28.4,  Deliverable Items, as listed in
Table 6.1 below, shall be Delivered by Contractor to the destinations indicated,
on or before the dates ("Delivery Dates") specified in such table.





                                       14

<PAGE>



================================================================================
                                    TABLE 6.1
                                DELIVERY SCHEDULE
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     DELIVERABLE ITEM                 DELIVERY DATE         DESTINATION

1.   ORION-Z Spacecraft               June 30, 1999         In Orbit at 12o W.L.

2.   Data & Documentation             Per CDRL              Per CDRL

3.   Operations Training              Per SOW               ORION MCC

4.   Mission Specific Hardware and    Per SOW, Annex A      MCC and TT&C
     Software

5.   Dynamic Spacecraft Software      Per SOW               Rockville, MD
     Simulator

     (b) Notwithstanding  any other provision of the Contract,  Contractor shall
advise  ORION  immediately  by  telephone  and  confirm  in  writing  any event,
circumstance  or development  that  materially  threatens (i) the quality of any
ORION-Z Spacecraft or component part thereof, as well as any services,  Data and
Documentation or Equipment to be provided hereunder,  or (ii) the Delivery Dates
established in Table 6.1 above.

6.2  DELAY.

     (a)  Contractor  acknowledges  and agrees that  failure to duly Deliver the
ORION-Z  Spacecraft in orbit on or before the Delivery  Date  specified in Table
6.1 above may be the sole or  partial  cause of  substantial  financial  loss or
damage  being  sustained  by  ORION  due to the  cost of  alternative  means  of
providing service to customers and loss of continuity of service. Subject to the
provisions  of Article 6.3  (Excusable  Delay),  if the Delivery in orbit of the
ORION-Z  Spacecraft  occurs later than the  applicable  Delivery Date due to any
reason other than Constructive Total Loss,  Contractor agrees to pay to ORION on
demand liquidated damages from and including the [ ] Calendar Day of lateness up
to and including the [ ] * [ ] Calendar Day of lateness (the "Liquidated Damages
Period) in the * amount of [ ] per day for each Calendar Day in the * Liquidated
Damages  Period.  The remedy  provided in Article 6.2(a) is not exclusive of any
other remedy provided in the Contract.

6.3  EXCUSABLE DELAY.

     (a) Any delay in the  performance  of the Work  caused by an event  that is
beyond the control of Contractor or its Subcontractors, such as, but not limited
to, any acts of  government  in



                                       15
<PAGE>



its  contractual  or  sovereign  capacity,  fire,  flood,  epidemic,  quarantine
restriction,  freight embargo, or acts of God, or any postponement by the Launch
Agency of launch of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft,  or acts or omissions of ORION that
unreasonably  delay or hinder  Contractor's  performance  or failure by ORION to
meet its  responsibilities  under the  Contract,  and which delay could not have
been avoided by Contractor or  Subcontractor  through the exercise of reasonable
foresight or reasonable  precautions  and cannot be  circumvented  by Contractor
through the use of alternate  sources,  work-around plans, or other means, shall
constitute a basis for excusable delay ("Excusable  Delay") if notice thereof is
given to ORION,  in writing,  within  three (3) Business  Days after  Contractor
shall have first learned of an occurrence of such an event or with regard to the
Launch  Vehicle,  the  probability of the occurrence of such event.  Such notice
shall include a detailed description of the portion of the Work affected by such
a delay, as well as details of any work-around plans, alternate sources or other
means  Contractor  will utilize to  forestall a delay to the  Delivery  Schedule
stated in Article 6 (Delivery).  Written notice must also be given to ORION when
the event  constituting an Excusable Delay appears to have ended. In all events,
Contractor  shall use  reasonable  efforts to avoid or minimize  such delay.  In
addition,  ORION's  exercise  of its rights  under  Article  25 (Ground  Storage
Option) due to  circumstances  caused by ORION  shall  constitute  an  Excusable
Delay.

     (b)  Contractor  shall  be  entitled  to  such  extensions  of  time as are
reasonable  for the Excusable  Delay.  In the event ORION disputes the Excusable
Delay,  ORION must inform  Contractor  in writing  within ten (10) Business Days
from  the date of  receipt  of  written  notice  of the  event  constituting  an
Excusable Delay and, if the Parties have not resolved the dispute within the ten
(10) Business Days of  Contractor's  receipt of written  notice from ORION,  the
dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Article 16 (Dispute Resolution).

     (c) In the  event  of an  Excusable  Delay,  there  shall  be an  equitable
adjustment to the Delivery Schedule set forth in Table 6.1, Article 6 (Delivery)
and the Delivery Schedule set forth in Article 14 (Additional  Satellite) to the
extent such  Excusable  Delay affects such delivery  schedules and to such other
terms in the Contract as applicable;  provided,  however, that the occurrence of
an Excusable  Delay shall not entitle  Contractor to an increase in the Contract
Price (unless such Excusable Delay is caused solely or  substantially by ORION's
acts or omissions that unreasonably delay or hinder Contractor's  performance or
ORION's  failure to meet its  responsibilities).  Any extension of time or other
relief granted under this Article 6.3 shall be formalized by the execution of an
amendment to the Contract in accordance with Article 28.4.

7.   ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND FINAL ACCEPTANCE

7.1  GENERAL.

     Each  Deliverable  Item under the Contract  shall be accepted by ORION upon
Contractor's  successful   demonstration  of  its  timely  compliance  with  the
requirements of the Contract.



                                       16

<PAGE>



7.2  ACCEPTANCE TESTING.

     Contractor  agrees to notify  ORION in writing  ten (10) days in advance of
conducting  acceptance  tests for Deliverable  Items and pre-launch tests of the
integrated   ORION-Z   Spacecraft.   Upon  compliance   with  the   notification
requirement,  ORION's absence at such tests shall neither be a cause of delaying
the acceptance tests nor invalidating the test results obtained therefrom.

7.3  PRE-LAUNCH CERTIFICATION.

     Upon  completion of the  pre-launch  tests at the launch site in accordance
with the  requirements  of the  Contract,  Contractor  shall  furnish ORION with
pre-launch certification as soon as feasible prior to Launch.

7.4  FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF DATA AND DOCUMENTATION.

     (a) "Final Acceptance" (and therefore,  Delivery) of Data and Documentation
shall occur only when:

          (1)  Contractor has fulfilled the Contract's requirements for the Data
               and Documentation; and

          (2)  the  Data  and  Documentation  has been  delivered  at the  place
               referenced  in Table 6.1 of Article 6  (Delivery)  in a condition
               fully conforming to the provisions of the Contract.

     (b) Data and  Documentation  not requiring  approval by ORION in accordance
with Part 2(B) shall be deemed to have achieved Final Acceptance unless rejected
by ORION in writing within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of said Data and
Documentation by ORION. If such Data and  Documentation  is unacceptable,  ORION
shall,  within the said ten (10) Business Days,  notify Contractor in writing in
which  respects  the  Data and  Documentation  fails to  conform  to  applicable
requirements of the Contract.  Any Data and Documentation  that fails to conform
to  applicable  requirements  of the Contract with respect to which ORION has so
notified Contractor as being non-conforming,  shall be deemed under the Contract
not to have been  delivered  unless and until the Defects that  resulted in such
rejection  have  been  remedied  or  demonstrated   not  to  exist  pursuant  to
verification  procedures  in  accordance  with  the  Contract,  and the Data and
Documentation  is at the  destination  referenced  in  Table  6.1 of  Article  6
(Delivery)  whereupon ORION shall accept the Data and  Documentation  in writing
and Final Acceptance shall occur.

     (c) Final Acceptance of any Data and  Documentation  requiring  approval by
ORION in  accordance  with Part 2(B)  shall  occur when such  approval  has been
granted by ORION in writing.  ORION shall  respond under this Article 7.4 within
ten (10) Business Days after  receipt



                                       17

<PAGE>



of such Data and  Documentation  by ORION;  failing such  response,  the Parties
shall be deemed  forthwith to be in dispute and their rights shall be determined
in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 (Dispute Resolution) hereof.

     (d) The  provisions  of this  Article  7.4  shall  not  apply to the  Final
Acceptance  of a Launched  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  or to the  Preliminary  In-Orbit
Acceptance  Report.  The Final Acceptance of the Launched ORION-Z Spacecraft and
of the In-Orbit Acceptance Report essential thereto shall be governed by Article
7.5.

7.5  FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF ORION-Z SPACECRAFT.

     (a)  In-Orbit Acceptance Report.

          (1)  Upon arrival at its designated orbital location,  Contractor will
               perform the tests and analyses  set forth in Part 3(D)  (In-Orbit
               Commissioning and Acceptance Test  Requirements) for the Launched
               ORION-Z   Spacecraft  to  determine   the   Aggregate   Predicted
               Transponder Life of the Launched ORION-Z Spacecraft.  The results
               of  such  tests  and  analyses  will be  furnished  to  ORION  in
               Preliminary  and Final In-Orbit  Acceptance  Reports  prepared by
               Contractor for the Launched ORION-Z Spacecraft in accordance with
               Part 2(A)(SOW), Part 2(B)(CDRL) and Part 3(D).

          (2)  Within   forty-five   (45)  days  after  Launch  of  the  ORION-Z
               Spacecraft,  Contractor  shall  furnish to ORION the  Preliminary
               In-Orbit  Acceptance  Report in full  compliance  with Part 2(A),
               Part  2(B) and  Part  3(D) in  respect  of the  Launched  ORION-Z
               Spacecraft,  and, within sixty (60) days after Launch, Contractor
               shall furnish to ORION the Final  In-Orbit  Acceptance  Report in
               full compliance with Part 2(A), Part 2(B) and Part 3(D).

          (3)  Unless the ORION-Z Spacecraft is a Constructive Total Loss, Final
               Acceptance  (and therefore,  Delivery) of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft
               will take place upon receipt by ORION of the Preliminary In-Orbit
               Acceptance Report demonstrating that the ORION-Z Spacecraft is in
               full compliance with Part 3(A) and Part 3(D).

          (4)  Unless  ORION  responds to the  Preliminary  In-Orbit  Acceptance
               Report  within thirty (30) days after  receipt  thereof,  or such
               other period of time acceptable to both Parties, the report shall
               be deemed acceptable.

          (5)  If ORION's response under Article 7.5(a)(4) contests the findings
               of the Preliminary  In-Orbit Acceptance Report, the Parties shall
               be deemed forthwith to be in dispute and either Party may proceed
               under Article 16 to have such dispute resolved.


                                       18

<PAGE>



          (6)  The existence of a dispute shall not affect Final  Acceptance set
               forth above.

8.   TITLE TO DELIVERABLE ITEMS AND RISK OF LOSS

8.1  ORION-Z SPACECRAFT.

     (a) Risk of loss or  damage  to the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  shall  pass  from
Contractor  to  ORION  at the  time  of  Intentional  Ignition  of  the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft.  Title to the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft,  free and clear of all liens and
encumbrances  of any  kind  shall  pass  from  Contractor  to ORION  upon  Final
Acceptance of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft in accordance with Article 7,  (Acceptance
Testing and Final Acceptance - Deliverable Items).

     (b) In the event of the  occurrence of a Terminated  Ignition of the Launch
Vehicle used for Launch of the ORION-Z Spacecraft to be delivered hereunder, the
Parties  agree  that  Contractor  shall  re-assume  risk of loss of the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft upon Launch Termination and will thereafter immediately commence work
required  to  ready  the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  for a  Launch  Vehicle  re-launch
(including,  as  applicable,  demating and defueling of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft,
procurement of pre-launch/transit insurance(s), storage, shipping of the ORION-Z
Spacecraft  back to Palo Alto, CA,  refurbishing,  retesting,  re-shipping,  and
re-initiation  and  performance  of a subsequent  Launch,  and any other related
effort).  It is agreed by the  Parties  that such  support  shall be provided at
ORION's expense and shall be subject to an equitable  adjustment to the Contract
Price and schedule as mutually  agreed to by the Parties.  Equitable  adjustment
for such  work  and all  affected  terms of this  Contract,  and its  Parts,  as
applicable,  shall be  negotiated  within  thirty  (30)  days of the  Terminated
Ignition  or as  otherwise  agreed to by the  Parties,  and the  Parties  agree,
pending  final  negotiation  of  an  equitable  adjustment,   to  perform  their
respective obligations described elsewhere in this Contract.

     (c) In the event of a Constructive  Total Loss, title free and clear of all
liens and  encumbrances  of any kind  shall  pass to ORION.  In such  event,  at
ORION's  direction,  Contractor  shall  surrender the ORION-Z  Spacecraft to the
insurers obligated to cover such loss.

8.2  DATA AND DOCUMENTATION

     The license  rights set forth in Article 21.1 and risk of loss or damage to
Data and  Documentation  delivered under the Contract shall pass from Contractor
to  ORION  at the  time  of  Final  Acceptance  in  accordance  with  Article  7
(Acceptance Testing and Final Acceptance - Deliverable Items).

8.3  OTHER DELIVERABLE ITEMS.

     Title,  free and clear of all liens and  encumbrances of any kind, and risk
of loss or damage to each  Deliverable  Item (other than the ORION-Z  Spacecraft
and Data and  Documentation)  delivered  under  the  Contract  shall  pass  from
Contractor to ORION at the time of Final



                                       19

<PAGE>



Acceptance by ORION in accordance  with Article 7 (Acceptance  Testing and Final
Acceptance - Deliverable Items).

9.   CHANGES IN SCOPE OF WORK

9.1  CHANGES REQUESTED BY ORION.

     (a) ORION may, at any time after the  Effective  Date of the  Contract,  by
written  change order issued by ORION make changes  within the general  scope of
the  Contract  that will add or delete  Work,  affect the design of the  ORION-Z
Satellite,  change the time or place of delivery or affect any other requirement
of the Contract.

     (b)  Contractor  shall perform the Work in accordance  with such orders and
changes as if the same had appeared in and formed part of the Contract.

     (c) If any such  change  causes an  increase or decrease in the cost of the
Work, or the time required for the completion of the Work to be provided herein,
or  otherwise  affects  any  other  provision  of  the  Contract,  an  equitable
adjustment shall be made to the Contract Price,  the Delivery  Schedule or both,
and to such other  provisions as may be affected.  The Parties  shall  consider,
negotiate and agree to such equitable  adjustments  in a timely manner,  and the
Contract shall be amended in accordance with Article 28.4 (Amendments).

     (d) ORION shall have the right to prescribe the manner in which  Contractor
shall   dispose  of  any  Work  made  obsolete  as  a  result  of  such  orders,
dispensations or changes.

     (e)  Nothing  in  this  Article  shall  excuse   Contractor  from  promptly
proceeding with the additions,  dispensations or changes specified in the change
order.

9.2  CHANGES REQUESTED BY CONTRACTOR.

     (a)  Contractor  may, at any time after the Effective Date of the Contract,
provide  ORION with a request for a change or waiver in the whole or any part of
the Work or schedules  herein,  provided that  Contractor  shall use  reasonable
efforts to submit  such  request  in  writing to ORION at least  sixty (60) days
prior to the  proposed  date of any  change or waiver  that  would add or delete
work, affect the design of the ORION-Z Spacecraft, change the method of shipment
or packing, or place or time of delivery,  or would affect any other requirement
of the Contract.

     (b) If such  Contractor-requested  change or waiver would cause an increase
or decrease in the Contract Price or Delivery Schedule,  Contractor shall submit
to ORION,  concurrent with the requested change, the details of such increase or
decrease.

     (c) Contractor shall not proceed with the requested change or waiver unless
and until ORION agrees with and accepts such change or waiver.


                                       20

<PAGE>



     (d) ORION shall notify Contractor in writing, within thirty (30) days after
receipt of a request from  Contractor for a change or waiver,  whether or not it
agrees with and accepts such change or grants such waiver.  If ORION agrees with
and accepts such change or grants such waiver, Contractor shall proceed with the
performance  of the  Contract  as  changed  or waived  and an  amendment  to the
Contract reflecting such change and price adjustment, if any, in accordance with
Article  28.4  (Amendments),  shall be issued.  If ORION does not agree with the
change or waiver as requested,  the Parties shall attempt to reach  agreement on
such change or waiver. In the event the Parties are unable to reach agreement on
the change or waiver,  or on the applicable price  adjustment,  if any, or both,
Contractor shall proceed with the performance of the Contract as unchanged.

10.  CORRECTIVE MEASURES IN UNLAUNCHED SATELLITES

10.1 CORRECTIVE MEASURES.

     (a)  Notice.

          (1)  ORION shall  notify  Contractor  in writing  when it believes any
               Defect exists in the ORION-Z Spacecraft,  the services and/or the
               Data and  Documentation.  Contractor may from time to time advise
               ORION in writing that it disagrees with ORION as to the existence
               or nature of a Defect. In such event, the Parties shall negotiate
               in good faith to determine  what Defect  exists,  if any, and any
               action required to remedy such Defect.

          (2)  Notwithstanding  any other provision of the Contract,  Contractor
               shall  advise  ORION  immediately  by  telephone  and  confirm in
               writing any event,  circumstance  or development  that materially
               threatens  the quality of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft,  or  component
               part   thereof  as  well  as  any   services   and/or   Data  and
               Documentation  to be provided  hereunder  or the  Delivery  Dates
               established.

     (b)  Defect in ORION-Z Spacecraft.

          (1)  Without  limiting the  obligations of Contractor or the rights of
               ORION  under the  provisions  of the  Contract,  prior to Launch,
               Contractor  shall,  at its  expense,  use  its  best  efforts  to
               promptly  correct any Defect  related to the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft
               that it or ORION  discovers  during the  course of the Work,  and
               notwithstanding  that a payment  may have  been  made in  respect
               thereof, and regardless of prior reviews, inspections,  approvals
               or  acceptances.  This  provision  is  subject  to the  right  of
               Contractor  to have any items  containing  a Defect  returned  at
               Contractor's  expense to Contractor's  facility for Contractor to
               verify  the  non-conformance  and  to  correct  the  Defect.  All
               transportation  costs such as packaging,  shipping and insurance,
               shall  be paid



                                       21

<PAGE>



               by Contractor,  except that if it is reasonably  determined after
               investigation that ORION directly caused the Defects in question,
               or that the item is in conformance with applicable specifications
               and  requirements,   ORION  will  reimburse  Contractor  for  the
               above-described  costs and will pay all costs associated with the
               shipment to and from Contractor's facility.

          (2)  If  Contractor   fails  to  so  correct  such  Defects  within  a
               reasonable  time after  notification  from  ORION,  and after the
               Parties have followed the provisions of Article 10.1 (a)(1) above
               (including agreement on the existence of such Defect), ORION may,
               by separate contract or otherwise,  correct or replace such items
               or  services,  and,  unless  it is  reasonably  determined  after
               investigation  that ORION directly caused the Defect in question,
               or that the item or service  is in  conformance  with  applicable
               specifications or requirements, Contractor shall pay to ORION the
               direct actual cost of such correction or replacement.  The amount
               payable by Contractor  shall be verified at Contractor's  request
               by an internationally recognized firm of accountants appointed by
               Contractor,  such  appointment  to be  approved by ORION and such
               approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The costs of
               such  verification  shall  be paid by  Contractor  and  shall  be
               without   prejudice   to  the  right  of  either  Party  to  seek
               arbitration  under Article 16.2.  The report of such  accountants
               may be used by either  Party in any  arbitration  proceeding  but
               shall not be binding upon the arbitrators.

     (c)  Defect in Similar Satellite.

          (1)  Without  limiting the  obligations of Contractor or the rights of
               ORION  under  other  provisions  of the  Contract,  if  the  data
               available  from  the  Launched  ORION-Z   Spacecraft  or  another
               spacecraft  of a similar  class that is being built by Contractor
               indicates  that  the  ORION-Z   Spacecraft   contains  a  Defect,
               Contractor shall inform ORION of such Defect and shall,  promptly
               upon  the  request  of  ORION,  use  its  best  efforts  to  take
               appropriate  corrective  measures  with  respect  to the  ORION-Z
               Spacecraft  and  Additional  Satellite,  if  ordered,  so  as  to
               satisfactorily  eliminate such Defect from the ORION-Z Spacecraft
               and Additional Satellite.  Contractor shall fulfill the foregoing
               obligations  at its own cost and  expense,  including  all  costs
               arising from  charges for  shipping,  insurance,  taxes and other
               matters associated with the corrective measures.

          (2)  If Contractor fails to take such corrective measures with respect
               to the ORION-Z  Spacecraft within a reasonable time after request
               from ORION, ORION may by separate contract or otherwise, have all
               such Defects corrected in accordance with Article 10.1(b)(2).


                                       22

<PAGE>



     (d) Minor Defects.  For any Defect that does not adversely affect the form,
fit, useful life, reliability or function (i.e.,  operational  performance) of a
Transponder, Contractor and ORION agree to negotiate a reasonable resolution. If
the  Parties  are unable to reach an agreed  resolution  within ten (10) days of
ORION receiving notice of the Defect from Contractor ("Notice Date"), Contractor
or ORION shall have the right to elevate the negotiations to Contractor's Senior
Executive and to ORION's Senior  Executive.  In the event the Parties are unable
to reach an agreed resolution within fifteen (15) days of the Notice Date, ORION
shall thereafter be able to exercise all of its rights under this Article 10.

     (e) No  Additional  Payment.  Subject to  Article  6.3  (Excusable  Delay),
Contractor  acknowledges and agrees that it shall not be entitled to payment for
any additional costs incurred as a consequence of any Defect.

     (f) Delay.  Contractor  shall have a reasonable time to effect  corrections
required ; however,  Contractor's  time to correct  shall not impact  Customer's
rights under Article 7 (Acceptance Testing and Final Acceptance) and Article 6.2
(Delay).

     (g) Waiver of Defect.  After  notification  of a Defect to Contractor,  the
Parties may jointly elect in writing, pursuant to Article 28.4 (Amendments), not
to require  correction or  replacement of such items or services or to waive the
Defects noted. In such event,  Contractor,  if required by ORION but pursuant to
the procedures set forth in Article 10.1 (b)(2), shall repay such portion of the
Contract Price as is equitable in the circumstances.

10.2 MANUFACTURERS' WARRANTIES.

     Subject to the  provisions  of any  applicable  law,  Contractor  agrees to
enforce any  manufacturer's  warranty given to it in connection with any Work to
be provided under the Contract and Contractor shall provide to ORION the benefit
of any warranty  protection or pledge to ORION any proceeds therefrom in respect
of that Work and other items as are given to Contractor by the  manufacturers or
service providers.

10.3 REPLACED EQUIPMENT.

     If Contractor, in accordance with this Article, replaces any Equipment that
was determined to be deficient,  such deficient Equipment shall remain or become
the property of Contractor.

10.4 IN-ORBIT DATA.

     Except to the extent  required to perform  its  obligations  under  Article
10.1, nothing in this Article requires  Contractor to disclose to ORION in-orbit
data from satellites owned by others, without prior written consent.


                                       23

<PAGE>



11.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

11.1 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL.

     Contractor  represents and warrants that it shall assign properly qualified
and experienced personnel to the program contemplated by the Contract.

11.2 SOFTWARE AND INVENTION OWNERSHIP.

     Contractor  represents  and  warrants  that it is  either  the owner of, or
authorized  to use and  incorporate,  any  software  or  invention  utilized  or
incorporated in the Work.

11.3 AUTHORIZATION.

     Each Party represents and warrants to the other that:

     (a) it has the  requisite  corporate  power and authority to enter into the
Contract and to carry out the transactions contemplated by the Contract;

     (b)  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of the  Contract  and the
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by the Contract have been duly
authorized by the requisite corporate action on the part of such Party; and

     (c)  the  Contract  is a  valid  and  binding  obligation  of  such  Party,
enforceable in accordance with its terms.

11.4 INDUCEMENTS.

     Contractor  represents  and  warrants to ORION that it has not violated any
applicable  laws or regulations  or any ORION  policies of which  Contractor has
been given notice  regarding the offering of unlawful  inducements in connection
with the Contract.

12.  IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE WARRANTY AND INCENTIVE PAYMENTS

12.1 IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE WARRANTY.

     Contractor warrants that the ORION-Z Spacecraft will provide the following:

     (a) The ORION-Z  Spacecraft  will support  simultaneous  operation of [ ] *
Satisfactorily  Operating  Primary  Transponders at 2.2 dB output power back-off
commencing on the date of Final Acceptance and for a period through the last day
of the [ ] year  thereafter  * and will  support  [ ]  Satisfactorily  Operating
Primary Transponders at 2.2 dB output * power back-off commencing with the first
day of year [ ] for a period of [ ] years *


                                       24

<PAGE>



thereafter; and

     (b) The ORION-Z Spacecraft power will support simultaneous operation of [ ]
*  [  ]  Satisfactorily  Operating  Primary  Transponders  with  [  ]  Saturated
Transponders * and [ ] Transponders  at 3.0 dB output power back-off  commencing
on the date of * Final Acceptance and for a period through the last day of the [
]  year   thereafter  and  will  *  support   simultaneous   operation  of  [  ]
Satisfactorily  Operating Primary Transponders * with [ ] Saturated Transponders
and [ ] Transponders at 3.0 dB output * power back-off commencing with the first
day of year [ ] and for a period of [ ] years *  thereafter.  (collectively  the
"In-Orbit  Performance  Warranty  Period").  The Transponders will be configured
symmetrically on the north and south panels.

12.2 ADVANCE INCENTIVE PAYMENT AT FINAL ACCEPTANCE.

     (a) If, at Final Acceptance,  the ORION-Z  Spacecraft has [ ] Serviceable *
Transponders operating at 2.2 dB output power back-off and a propellant lifetime
as  calculated  in  Part  3(D)  (In-Orbit   Commissioning  and  Acceptance  Test
Requirements)  of  at  least  [  ] *  years,  ORION  shall  pay  Contractor  the
Transponder Orbital Incentive Amount as an Advance Incentive Payment.

     (b) If at  Final  Acceptance,  the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  does  not meet the
requirements  set  forth in  Paragraph  12.2(a)  above,  then  ORION  shall  pay
Contractor,  as an Advance  Incentive  Payment,  a percentage of the Transponder
Orbital Incentive Amount in accordance with the Aggregate Predicted  Transponder
Life as provided in Table 12.2(b) below:



                                       25
<PAGE>




     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Table 12.2(b)
                    Schedule of Transponder Orbital Incentive
                           Payment at Final Acceptance
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------

         Aggregate Predicted                    Percentage of Total
          Transponder Life                       Incentive Amount
         -------------------                    -------------------

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

     (c)  If,  at  Final  Acceptance,  the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  has  sufficient
end-of-life  power  as  calculated  in Part  3(D)  (In-Orbit  Commissioning  and
Acceptance  Test  Requirements)  to support [ ]  Serviceable  Transponders  with
eighteen (18) Saturated  Transponders * and [ ] Transponders operating at 3.0 dB
power back-off, ORION shall pay Contractor * the Power Orbital Incentive Amount,
as an Advance Incentive Payment.

     (d) If,  at Final  Acceptance,  the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  does not meet the
requirements  set  forth in  Paragraph  12.2(c),  then  ORION  shall  pay to the
Contractor,  as an Advance Incentive  Payment, a percentage of the Power Orbital
Incentive  Amount in  accordance  with the number of Saturated  Transponders  as
provided in Table 12.2(d) below:


                                       26
<PAGE>



     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Table 12.2(d)
                       Schedule of Power Orbital Incentive
                           Payment at Final Acceptance
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


           No. of Saturated                       Percentage of Total
             Transponders                           Incentive Amount
           ----------------                       -------------------

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *


     (e) If the ORION Z Spacecraft is rendered  inoperative  because of a Launch
Vehicle  failure or failure of the Launch  Vehicle to place the Satellite in its
geostationary  transfer orbit location or if the ORION-Z  Spacecraft is deemed a
Constructive Total Loss through no fault of Contractor, Contractor shall receive
and be entitled to retain the full Orbital  Incentive  Amount payable under this
Article 12. Payment of any amount due Contractor  shall be paid thirty (30) days
after ORION's receipt of invoice and in accordance with Article 5.


                                       27

<PAGE>



12.3 MONTHLY TRANSPONDER INCENTIVE AMOUNT.

     (a)  Contractor  shall earn and be entitled to retain a  percentage  of the
Monthly Transponder  Incentive Amount during each calendar month of the In-Orbit
Performance Warranty Period according to the number of Satisfactorily  Operating
Primary  Transponders that the ORION-Z Spacecraft has, as provided in Table 12.3
below.  Subject to Article 12.3(b),  in the event any of the Monthly Transponder
Incentive Amount is not so earned by Contractor during any calendar month of the
In-Orbit Performance Warranty Period,  Contractor shall refund to ORION all such
unearned amounts.

     (b) If a  Primary  Transponder  does  not  satisfy  the  requirements  of a
Satisfactorily  Operating Primary Transponder,  but ORION nevertheless elects to
use such  Primary  Transponder  for  Revenue-earning  purposes,  then,  when the
Revenue  (or  equivalent  consideration)  received  by ORION  for  such  Primary
Transponder  in any one calendar  monthly  period is less than the proportion of
the  Monthly  Incentive  Amount   attributable  to  such  Primary   Transponder,
Contractor  shall,  in the  succeeding  month,  refund to ORION  the  difference
between the said  proportion  of the Monthly  Incentive  Amount for such Primary
Transponder  and ORION's  actual monthly  Transponder  Revenue for such calendar
monthly period.  In no event shall any one monthly  payment by Contractor  under
this Article 12.3(b) exceed said proportion of the Monthly  Incentive Amount for
such Primary Transponder.  In the event that a Primary Transponder is determined
not to be a Satisfactorily  Operating Primary  Transponder but is later used for
Revenue-earning  purposes,  ORION shall so advise  Contractor  within  seven (7)
Business Days after commencing such use.

     (c) Payment of any refund provided for under this Article 12.3 shall be due
thirty  (30) days  after the date of receipt by  Contractor  of an invoice  from
ORION;  interest  shall be paid (at the rate  specified  in Article  5.4) on any
amounts not paid when due.  Invoices shall be accompanied by sufficient  data to
support  ORION's  refund  claim.  ORION may offset any such payments not made by
Contractor  against any outstanding  balance due under the Contract.  Contractor
shall be deemed to have  accepted  the  Invoice  ten (10)  Business  Days  after
receipt of the Invoice unless,  within such time period,  it notifies ORION of a
dispute. Contractor shall pay any undisputed part of an Invoice.


                                       28

<PAGE>



     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Table 12.3
       Schedule of Monthly Transponder Orbital Incentive Amount Earned for
                       [ ] Transponders during years [ ] *
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


          Number of Satisfactorily             Percentage of Monthly Transponder
       Operating Primary Transponders                   Incentive Amount
       ------------------------------          ---------------------------------


        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *


                                       29
<PAGE>

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *


     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Table 12.3
       Schedule of Monthly Transponder Orbital Incentive Amount Earned for
                       [ ] Transponders during years [ ] *
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          Number of Satisfactorily             Percentage of Monthly Transponder
       Operating Primary Transponders                   Incentive Amount
       ------------------------------          ---------------------------------

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *


                                       30
<PAGE>



        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *


12.4 MONTHLY POWER INCENTIVE AMOUNT.

     (a)  Contractor  shall earn and be entitled to retain a  percentage  of the
Monthly  Power  Incentive  Amount  during each  calendar  month of the  In-Orbit
Performance  Warranty Period  according to the number of Saturated  Transponders
that the ORION-Z Spacecraft has, as provided in the applicable Table 12.4 below.
In the  event  any of the  Monthly  Power  Incentive  Amount is not so earned by
Contractor  during  any  calendar  month of the  In-Orbit  Performance  Warranty
Period, Contractor shall refund to ORION all such unearned amounts.

     (b) Payment of any refund provided for under this Article 12.3 shall be due
thirty (30) days after the date of receipt by  Contractor  of such  invoice from
ORION;  interest  shall be paid (at the rate  specified  in Article  5.4) on any
amounts not paid when due.  Invoices shall be accompanied by sufficient  data to
support  ORION's  refund  claim.  ORION may offset any such payments not made by
Contractor  against any outstanding  balance due under the Contract.  Contractor
shall be deemed to have  accepted  the  Invoice  ten (10)  Business  Days  after
receipt of the Invoice unless,  within such time period,  it notifies ORION of a
dispute. Contractor shall pay any undisputed part of an Invoice.


                                       31
<PAGE>



     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Table 12.4
       Schedule of Monthly Power Orbital Incentive Amount Earned for [ ] *
                      [ ] Transponders during years [ ] *
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


     Number of Saturated Transponders         Percentage of Monthly Power
                                                    Incentive Amount

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *



                                       32
<PAGE>




     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Table 12.4
       Schedule of Monthly Power Orbital Incentive Amount Earned for [ ] *
                      [ ] Transponders during years [ ] *
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------


     Number of Saturated Transponders         Percentage of Monthly Power
                                                    Incentive Amount

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

        [                    ]                [                     ]      *

12.5 MEASURING IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE.

     (a) For the purposes of this Article 12, in  determining  whether a Primary
Transponder is a Satisfactorily Operating Primary Transponder,  no account shall
be taken of any period of unavailability:

          (1)  less than thirty (30) cumulative seconds per day;


                                       33
<PAGE>



          (2)  attributable  to  ORION-Z  Spacecraft   maintenance   activities,
               station keeping maneuvers,  payload  reconfiguration for business
               purposes or station change maneuvers;

          (3)  attributable  to  communications  link  fading  due  to  external
               causes,  including  but  not  limited  to  weather;

          (4)  arising  directly or indirectly as a consequence of any negligent
               act or  omission  of  ORION  or any  of  its  agents,  assignees,
               consultants, employees, or customers; or

          (5)  attributable to earth station sun blinding.

     (b)  All  measurements,  computations  and  analyses,  for the  purpose  of
determining whether a Primary Transponder is a Satisfactorily  Operating Primary
Transponder  shall  be  performed  by ORION or its  Consultants,  provided  that
Contractor  may, at its expense,  assist in determining  the nature of anomalies
and corrective  measures.  Contractor  shall for this purpose be given access to
any data collected by ORION.

12.6 ECLIPSE.

     In the event the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  fails to meet the eclipse  operations
requirements as specified in Part 2(A) (Technical  Specifications),  a reduction
shall be made to that portion of the Monthly  Transponder  Incentive  Amount and
Monthly  Power  Incentive  Amount  calculated  under  Articles 12.3 and 12.4, as
having been earned by Contractor,  with such reduction  being  equivalent to the
percentage of lost communications capacity determined during eclipse.

12.7 DISPUTED PERFORMANCE.

     In the  event  ORION  claims  for any  month of  operation  of the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft  that any of the criteria  established  or referred to under Articles
12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 above have not been met,  ORION's claim shall be accompanied
by  technical  data,  reports,  analyses  and such  records as are  available to
support such claim,  and Contractor  shall be given an opportunity to verify the
data.  Should  Contractor  disagree with such claim and present  evidence to the
contrary,  then ORION shall consider such evidence and consult with  Contractor.
In the event the Parties cannot resolve such disagreement, then either Party may
proceed under Article 16 (Dispute Resolution) to have such dispute resolved.



                                       34

<PAGE>



13.  INSURANCE

13.1 GENERAL.

     (a) Contractor  shall provide and maintain,  at its expense,  the insurance
required by Article 13.2. The insurers selected by Contractor shall have an A.M.
Best rating of A-XIII or foreign equivalent or better or, if such ratings are no
longer available, a comparable rating from a recognized insurance rating agency.
Such  insurance  coverages  shall  be in  amounts  no less  than  the  insurance
coverages Contractor provides and maintains for Contractor's other customers.

     (b)  Except  as  otherwise  specifically  provided  in  the  Contract,  the
insurance  required by this Article shall not limit, bar or otherwise affect the
liability  and  obligation  of  Contractor  to complete the Work and deliver the
Deliverable Items in accordance with the Contract.

13.2 REQUIRED INSURANCE.

     (a)  Insurance of the Work.

          (1)  All Risks Policy.

               (i)  Before Contractor commences the Work,  Contractor shall have
                    an insurance policy against all risks, loss or damage to the
                    ORION-Z Spacecraft  occurring prior to Intentional  Ignition
                    (including  coverage  against damage or loss caused by earth
                    movement,  flood,  boiler,  turbine and machinery accidents)
                    subject to normal "All Risks Policy" exclusions. The details
                    of the insurer and the relevant extracts of the policy shall
                    be submitted to ORION.

               (ii) Such insurance coverage shall be maintained by Contractor up
                    to  the  point  of  Intentional   Ignition  of  the  ORION-Z
                    Spacecraft  ordered by ORION  pursuant to the  Contract  and
                    shall  provide  (i)  coverage  for  removal of  debris,  and
                    insuring the structures,  machines,  equipment,  facilities,
                    fixtures  and other  properties  constituting  a part of the
                    project,  (ii)  transit  coverage,  including  ocean  marine
                    coverage  (unless  insured by the supplier),  (iii) off-site
                    coverage  covering  any key  equipment,  and  (iv)  off-site
                    coverage  covering any  property or equipment  not stored on
                    the construction sites.

          (2)  The  insurance of the Work as required by this  Article  13.2(a),
               whether effected by Contractor or ORION,  shall not limit, bar or
               otherwise  affect the liability  and  obligation of Contractor to
               complete the Work and deliver the Deliverable Items in accordance
               with the Contract.


                                       35

<PAGE>



          (3)  Contractor  shall use best  efforts to require  its  insurers  to
               waive all rights of  subrogation  against  ORION,  save those for
               which  ORION  indemnifies  Contractor  pursuant  to Article  15.2
               (Indemnity by ORION)  provided that such coverage  shall be at no
               additional cost to the insuring Party.

     (b)  Commercial General Liability Insurance.

          (1)  Before  Contractor  commences the Work,  Contractor  shall have a
               Commercial  General  Liability  Policy of  insurance.  The policy
               shall cover Contractor and all Subcontractors  employed from time
               to time in  relation to the Work and  performance  of the ORION-Z
               Contract  for their  respective  rights and  interests  and cover
               their liabilities to third parties.

          (2)  The Commercial General Liability Policy shall be maintained until
               all Work pursuant to the Contract,  including  remedial  work, is
               Delivered  and Final  Acceptance  of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  has
               occurred.

          (3)  Contractor   shall  require  insurers  to  waive  all  rights  of
               subrogation against ORION, save those for which ORION indemnifies
               Contractor pursuant to Article 15.2 (Indemnity by ORION) provided
               that such coverage shall be at no additional cost to the insuring
               Party.

     (c)  Insurance of Employees.

          (1)  Before  commencing  the  Work,  Contractor  shall  have  Worker's
               Compensation Insurance, including occupational illness or disease
               coverage,  or other similar social  insurance in accordance  with
               the  laws  of  the  country,   state  or   territory   exercising
               jurisdiction   over  the   employee  and   Employer's   Liability
               Insurance.  Such  insurance  shall be  maintained  until all Work
               pursuant to the Contract,  including  remedial work, is Delivered
               and Final  Acceptance  of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  has  occurred.
               Contractor shall ensure that all  Subcontracts  contain a similar
               provision.

          (2)  Contractor  shall  require  its  insurers  to waive all rights of
               subrogation against ORION, save those for which ORION indemnifies
               Contractor pursuant to Article 15.2 (Indemnity by ORION) provided
               that such coverage shall be at no additional cost to the insuring
               Party.

     (d)  Comprehensive Automobile Liability Insurance.

          (1)  Before  commencing  the Work,  Contractor  shall  self-insure  or
               Contractor shall insure against  liability for claims of personal
               injury  (including  bodily injury and death) and property  damage
               covering all owned, leased,  non-owned and



                                       36
<PAGE>



               hired  vehicles  used at any of  Contractor's  facilities  in the
               performance of Contractor's obligations under the Contract.

13.3 SUBCONTRACTS.

     Contractor  shall  require  its  Subcontractors  to  provide  and  maintain
insurance,  and such insurance  shall be no less in kind or amount as Contractor
requires its  Subcontractors  to provide and maintain for work to be provided by
such Subcontractors to other customers of Contractor.

13.4 DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE.

     (a) In respect of every  insurance  policy  required under this Article 13,
before  commencement  of the Work and  whenever  requested  by ORION in writing,
Contractor shall periodically  provide  documentary  evidence that the coverages
and policy  endorsements  required under the Contract have been effected and are
being  maintained  in force and  Contractor  shall  provide  ORION not less than
thirty (30) days  written  notice  prior to any  modification,  cancellation  or
non-renewal of the policies.

     (b)  Contractor  shall produce  evidence of  compliance  with the insurance
obligations applicable to Contractor pursuant to this Article 13 within fourteen
(14) days of written request by ORION. In the event  Contractor does not provide
such evidence within such time period,  ORION shall provide  Contractor  written
notice thereof.

13.5 CLAIMS.

     As soon as practicable  after any occurrence  that may give rise to a claim
under a policy of insurance required by this Article 13, Contractor shall inform
ORION in writing of such occurrence and shall  thereafter keep ORION informed of
subsequent  developments  concerning  the claim.  Contractor  shall  ensure that
Subcontractors   similarly  inform  ORION  of  any  such   occurrences   through
Contractor. Each Party shall provide to the other Party any information that may
reasonably be required to prepare and present an insurance claim.

14.  ADDITIONAL SATELLITE OPTION

14.1 DELIVERY SCHEDULE.

     Contractor  agrees to  provide an  additional  satellite  identical  to the
ORION-Z Spacecraft design,  ("Additional Satellite") for on-ground delivery to a
launch site designated by ORION and without further obligation for Contractor to
provide any launch  readiness  service no later than  nineteen (19) months after
receipt of an order from ORION or four (4) months  after  delivery  of  ORION-Z,
whichever is later.  ORION may place such order at any time after the EDC but in
no event later than two (2) months after Launch of the Satellite.


                                       37

<PAGE>



14.2 PRICE.

     (a)  The  firm  fixed  price  for  the  Additional  Satellite  ("Additional
Satellite Price"),  is [ ] provided ORION orders such Additional  Satellite no *
later than March 30, 1999.  Thereafter,  the  Additional  Satellite  Price shall
increase  to [ ] * [ ] subject  to ORION  placing  an order  for the  Additional
Satellite  * no later  than  September  30,  1999.  Thereafter,  the price of an
Additional  Satellite  shall be  negotiated  between the Parties  prior to ORION
ordering the Additional Satellite.

     (b) The Additional  Satellite payment plan shall be negotiated  between the
Parties prior to ORION ordering the Additional Satellite; the payment plan shall
match  Contractor's  actual  expenditure  profile so as to avoid prepayments and
financing costs.

     (c) Selection of the launch vehicle and launch services  contractor will be
made by ORION (with the  concurrence of Contractor) in sufficient time to permit
delivery of the Additional  Satellite on the schedule set forth in Article 14.1.
The prices for both such  items  will be  identified  and agreed to as a part of
such process.

     (d) ORION shall provide for launch insurance for the Additional Satellite.

14.3 ADDITIONAL SATELLITE CONTRACT PROVISIONS.

     (a) Contractor  shall furnish the Additional  Satellite in accordance  with
the  provisions of the documents that  constitute  the Contract,  with the dates
therein  adjusted  (if  necessary)  for the later  timeframe  of the  Additional
Satellite.

     (b) Except as otherwise  required by the terms of this Article 14, contract
terms for the Additional Satellite will be identical to the Contract,  with risk
elements  (e.g.,  liquidated  damages for late  delivery  and  warranty  payback
incentives) adjusted to the change in price from the ORION-Z Spacecraft so as to
represent the same percentage risk.

15.  INDEMNIFICATION,   INTER-PARTY  WAIVER  OF  LIABILITY,  AND  LIMITATION  OF
     LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

15.1 INDEMNITY BY CONTRACTOR.

     Contractor  shall  indemnify,  defend  and  hold  harmless  ORION  and  its
Associates from any and all Losses arising from, in connection with, or based on
any  allegations  made by third parties  (including  employees,  Consultants  or
customers of ORION, Contractor,  Subcontractors and all other persons performing
any of the Work hereunder) regarding any of the following:

     (a) injury to persons  (including  sickness  or death) or damage to real or
tangible personal property  (excluding the ORION-Z  Spacecraft after Intentional
Ignition),  resulting  from any act or  omission,  negligent  or  otherwise,  of
Contractor or its  Subcontractors  in the



                                       38

<PAGE>



performance  of the Work,  or any act or  omission  of ORION or ORION  Personnel
occurring at any  installation  of  Contractor  (except  acts or omissions  that
constitute willful misconduct or lack of good faith);

     (b)  any  claims  of  infringement  of any  intellectual  property  rights,
including  patent,  copyright or industrial  design,  or of unauthorized  use or
disclosure of any proprietary  technical  information,  alleged to have occurred
because of the Work performed under the Contract;

     (c)  Contractor's  breach  of its  obligations  with  respect  to  improper
payments as set forth in Article 28.14 (Improper Payments,  Kickbacks, Gifts and
Gratuities); and

     (d) Contractor's  breach of its obligations with respect to compliance with
applicable laws as set forth in Article 28.15 (Compliance With Applicable Laws).

15.2 INDEMNITY BY ORION.

     ORION  shall  indemnify,  defend  and  hold  harmless  Contractor  and  its
Associates from any and all Losses arising from, in connection with, or based on
any  allegations  made by third parties  (including  employees of Contractor and
Subcontractors,  employees,  Consultants  and  customers  of ORION and all other
persons performing any of the Work hereunder) regarding any of the following:


     (a) injury to persons  (including  sickness  or death) or damage to real or
tangible  personal  property,  resulting from any act or omission,  negligent or
otherwise, of ORION or ORION Personnel relating to the Work; provided,  however,
ORION shall have no  obligation  with respect to claims for acts or omissions of
ORION or ORION Personnel  occurring at any  installation  of Contractor  (except
acts or omissions that constitute willful misconduct or lack of good faith);

     (b)  any  claims  of  infringement  of any  intellectual  property  rights,
including  patent,  copyright or industrial  design,  or of unauthorized  use or
disclosure of any proprietary  technical  information,  alleged to have occurred
because of any resource provided to Contractor for performance of the Work;

     (c) ORION's breach of its obligations with respect to improper  payments as
set forth in Article 28.14 (Improper Payments, Kickbacks, Gifts and Gratuities);
and

     (d) ORION's  breach of its  obligations  with  respect to  compliance  with
applicable laws as set forth in Article 28.15 (Compliance With Applicable Laws).



                                       39

<PAGE>



15.3 INFRINGEMENT.

     (a) In the  event  that,  as a  result  of any  claim  or  action  alleging
infringement as described in Article  15.1(b),  the  manufacture,  use, lease or
sale of any item  thereof is  enjoined,  Contractor  agrees to utilize  its best
efforts either:

          (1)  to negotiate a license or other  agreement  with the plaintiff so
               that such item is no longer subject to such injunction; or

          (2)  to  modify  suitably  such item or  substitute  a  suitable  item
               therefor,  which modified or  substituted  item is not subject to
               such  injunction  and to extend the  provisions  of this  Article
               thereto.

     (b) In the  event  neither  of the  alternatives  set forth  under  Article
15.3(a) above is  accomplished by Contractor,  Contractor  shall refund to ORION
all  payments  made by ORION to it on account of the  Contract  Price,  plus any
orbital  incentive  payments.  Should  Contractor be required under this Article
15.3(b) to refund to ORION all  payments,  ORION shall  retransfer  title in the
enjoined item to Contractor if title has previously passed to ORION.

     (c) Contractor  agrees to promptly provide ORION with written notice of any
demand,  claim,  request,  proceeding  or action  against  Contractor  or any of
Contractor's other customers alleging that technology incorporated into the Work
provided  under the Contract  infringes  the  claimant's  intellectual  property
rights.

15.4 INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES.

     (a) Promptly after receipt by any entity entitled to indemnification  under
Articles 15.1 and 15.2 of notice of the commencement or threatened  commencement
of any civil,  criminal,  administrative,  or investigative action or proceeding
involving a claim in respect of which the indemnitee  will seek  indemnification
pursuant to such Article,  the indemnitee shall notify the indemnifying Party of
such claim in  writing.  Failure to so notify the  indemnifying  Party shall not
relieve the indemnifying  Party of its obligations  under the Contract except to
the extent that it can demonstrate damages attributable to such failure.  Within
fifteen  (15) days  following  receipt of  written  notice  from the  indemnitee
relating to any claim,  but no later than ten (10) days before the date on which
any  response to a complaint  or summons is due,  the  indemnifying  Party shall
notify the  indemnitee  in writing if the  indemnifying  Party  elects to assume
control of the defense  and  settlement  of that claim (a "Notice of  Election")
unless the  indemnifying  Party received  notice of the claim less than ten (10)
days before said due date,  in which case the  indemnifying  Party shall provide
the indemnitee a Notice of Election as soon as is reasonably  practicable  after
receipt of notice of the claim.

     (b) If the indemnifying Party delivers a Notice of Election relating to any
claim  within the  required  notice  period,  the  indemnifying  Party  shall be
entitled to have sole  control



                                       40

<PAGE>



over the defense and settlement of such claim;  provided that (i) the indemnitee
shall be  entitled  to  participate  in the  defense of such claim and to employ
counsel at its own expense to assist in the  handling of such claim;  (ii) where
the  indemnitee  is so  represented,  the  indemnifying  Party  shall  keep  the
indemnitee's  counsel  informed of each step in the  handling of any such claim;
(iii) the indemnitee  shall provide,  at the  indemnifying  Party's  request and
expense,  such  assistance and information as is available to the indemnitee for
the defense and settlement of such claim; and (iv) the indemnifying  Party shall
obtain the prior written  approval of the  indemnitee  before  entering into any
settlement  of such claim or ceasing to defend  against  such  claim.  After the
indemnifying  Party has delivered a Notice of Election  relating to any claim in
accordance with the preceding  paragraph,  the  indemnifying  Party shall not be
liable to the indemnitee  for any legal  expenses  incurred by the indemnitee in
connection with the defense of that claim. In addition,  the indemnifying  Party
shall not be required to indemnify the indemnitee for any amount paid or payable
by the  indemnitee  in the  settlement  of any claim for which the  indemnifying
Party has  delivered  a timely  Notice of  Election if such amount was agreed to
without the written consent of the indemnifying Party.

     (c) If the  indemnifying  Party  does  not  deliver  a Notice  of  Election
relating to any claim within the required  notice period,  the indemnitee  shall
have the right to defend the claim in such manner as it may deem appropriate, at
the cost and expense of the indemnifying  Party.  The  indemnifying  Party shall
promptly  reimburse  the  indemnitee  for all  such  costs  and  expenses.

15.5 INTER-PARTY WAIVER OF LIABILITY FOR LAUNCH OPERATIONS.

     (a) ORION and Contractor agree to a no-fault,  no-subrogation,  inter-party
waiver of  liability  under which each Party  agrees to be  responsible  for any
damage that it sustains as a result of damage to its own property and employees,
including  death,  while  involved in launch  operations in or around the launch
site, which damage is caused by either  Contractor,  ORION, the Launch Agency or
any other party  involved in launch  operations,  and whether such damage arises
through  negligence  or  otherwise.  It is the intent of the  Parties  that this
inter-party  waiver of liability  be  construed  broadly to achieve the intended
objectives.

     (b) For purposes of this Article 15.5 only,  each Party further agrees that
if it subcontracts  with a third party to provide services that necessitate such
third party's  presence on the launch site, then it acknowledges and agrees that
such third  party  shall be  required  to agree to a  no-fault,  no-subrogation,
inter-party waiver of liability and indemnity for damages it sustains, identical
to the Parties' respective undertakings under this Article.

     (c) In the event  that a Party  fails to obtain the  aforesaid  inter-party
waiver of liability from its  subcontractor(s),  then such Party shall indemnify
and hold  harmless the other  Party,  the Launch  Agency,  other users of launch
services and their respective contractors and subcontractors from claims brought
by   such   subcontractor(s)   of  the   first   Party   for   damage   to  such
subcontractor(s)'s  property or injury to, or death of, such  subcontractor(s)'s
employees with respect to matters that otherwise  would have been covered by the
inter-party waiver of liability.


                                       41

<PAGE>



     (d) The  Parties  will take such  further  actions  as may be  required  to
implement the  provisions of this Article 15.5,  including the execution of such
agreements and waivers as are customarily used with respect to operations at the
launch site and are consistent with the provisions of this Article 15.5.

15.6 WAIVER OF SUBROGATION.

     Except as provided in Article  7.5(g)(4),  if a Party  insures  against any
loss or damage it may  suffer in respect  of which  such  Party is  required  to
indemnify  the other Party or an Associate  of the other Party  pursuant to this
Article  15, it shall be a  condition  that such  Party  shall  arrange  for the
insurer  to waive its right of  subrogation  against  the other  Party and every
Associate  of the  other  Party  provided  that  such  coverage  shall  be at no
additional cost to the insuring  Party.  Each Party shall be entitled to require
proof from time to time that the other Party has complied  with its  obligations
under  this  Article.  In the  event  that a Party  does not  comply  with  such
obligations,  the respective  indemnities  referred to in Articles 15.1 and 15.2
shall  extend,  as  applicable,  to any  claim  that  may be made by an  insurer
pursuant to an alleged right of subrogation.

15.7 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

     (a) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE  EXPRESSLY  AUTHORIZED  IN THE CONTRACT IN NO EVENT
SHALL EITHER PARTY BE LIABLE  DIRECTLY OR  INDIRECTLY TO THE OTHER PARTY AND ITS
ASSOCIATES  AND  SUBCONTRACTORS  OR TO ANY ASSIGNEE OR  SUCCESSOR  OWNERS OF THE
ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT  FOR  ANY  AMOUNT  REPRESENTING  LOSS  OF  PROFITS,  LOSS OF
BUSINESS,  OR INDIRECT,  SPECIAL,  EXEMPLARY,  CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
ARISING FROM THE  PERFORMANCE OR  NONPERFORMANCE  OF THE CONTRACT OR ANY ACTS OR
OMISSIONS  ASSOCIATED  THEREWITH  OR RELATED TO THE USE OF ANY ITEMS OR SERVICES
FURNISHED  HEREUNDER,  WHETHER THE BASIS OF THE LIABILITY IS BREACH OF CONTRACT,
TORT (INCLUDING  NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT  LIABILITY),  STATUTES OR ANY OTHER LEGAL
THEORY.  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY  AUTHORIZED IN THE CONTRACT,  IN NO EVENT
SHALL EITHER PARTY'S TOTAL  LIABILITY TO THE OTHER PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES CLAIMED
HEREUNDER EXCEED THE CONTRACT PRICE.

     (b) The foregoing limitation of liability shall not be deemed to affect the
Contractor's duties or ORION's remedies under Article 7.5 and Article 13.

15.8 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY.

     EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT, CONTRACTOR MAKES NO
WARRANTY,  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  INCLUDING  ANY



                                       42
<PAGE>



WARRANTY OF  MERCHANTABILITY  OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO
THE  ORION-Z  SPACECRAFT  OR ANY  OTHER  DELIVERABLE  ITEM  PROVIDED  UNDER  THE
CONTRACT.

16.  DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     Any dispute between the Parties arising out of or relating to the Contract,
including  with respect to the  interpretation  of any provision of the Contract
and/or with  respect to  performance  under the  Contract,  shall be resolved as
provided in this Article.

16.1 INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

     Prior to the  initiation  of  formal  dispute  resolution  procedures,  the
Parties shall first attempt to resolve their dispute informally, as follows:

     (a) If,  during the course of Work in  progress,  either Party has cause to
believe that the other Party's  performance,  or plan for  performance,  is such
that the  obligations of the other Party,  as stated in the Contract will not be
met,  the Party  shall give  written  notice of its  objections  and the reasons
therefor and may recommend  corrective  action by the other Party.  Contractor's
Program Manager shall promptly consult with ORION's Program Manager in an effort
to reach an agreement to overcome the objections  (first  instance).

     (b) In the  event  agreement  cannot  be  reached  within  ten (10) days of
receipt of written  notice,  then either  Party may request that it be escalated
and the respective  positions of the Parties shall be forwarded to  Contractor's
Senior  Executive and ORION's Senior  Executive for  discussion,  and an attempt
shall be made to reach agreement (second instance).

     (c) In the event  agreement  cannot be reached in the first  instance or in
the second instance  within thirty (30) days of the written notice  described in
Article  16.1(a),  then either Party may request  that it be  escalated  and the
positions  of the Parties  shall be  forwarded  to  Contractor's  President  and
ORION's  President  for  resolution  of  the  objections  (third  instance).  If
agreement still cannot be reached within ten (10) additional days,  either Party
may commence arbitration in accordance with Article 16.2.

     (d) In the event of a dispute as to the performance of the Launched ORION-Z
Spacecraft,  the  Parties  agree  to have an  independent  determination  of the
ORION-Z  Spacecraft   technical  status  performed  by  a  mutually   acceptable
technically  qualified  third party.  The costs  incurred in retaining the third
party shall be shared equally  between  Contractor and ORION.  Such  independent
determination may be used by either Party in any arbitration under Article 16.2,
but such determination shall not be binding upon the arbitrators.


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<PAGE>



16.2 ARBITRATION.

     If the Parties are unable to resolve any dispute as contemplated by Article
16.1 and if such dispute is not subject to Article 16.3, then such dispute shall
be  submitted  to mandatory  and binding  arbitration  at the election of either
Party (the "Disputing Party") pursuant to the following conditions:

     (a) The Disputing Party shall notify the American  Arbitration  Association
("AAA")  and the other  Party in writing  describing  in  reasonable  detail the
nature of the dispute.

     (b)  The  arbitration  shall  be  conducted  by a  tribunal  of  three  (3)
arbitrators.  Each Party shall appoint one (1) arbitrator and the third shall be
appointed by the two (2) arbitrators so previously appointed.

     (c) The  arbitration  shall be  conducted  in  accordance  with  the  AAA's
Commercial  Arbitration Rules then in effect.  The arbitral tribunal shall allow
reasonable  discovery  in the  forms  permitted  by the  Federal  Rules of Civil
Procedure,  to the  extent  consistent  with the  purpose  of  arbitration.  The
arbitral  tribunal  shall have no power or authority  to amend or disregard  any
provision  of this  Article  16.2 or any other  provision  of the  Contract  (in
particular,  the arbitral tribunal shall not have authority to exclude the right
of a Party to terminate this  Agreement  when a Party would  otherwise have such
right).   The  arbitral  hearing  shall  be  commenced  promptly  and  conducted
expeditiously,  with each Party  being  allocated  one-half  of the time for the
presentation of its case.  Unless otherwise  agreed by the Parties,  an arbitral
hearing  shall be  conducted  on  consecutive  days.  In respect of a default by
either Party in respect of any procedural  order made by the arbitral  tribunal,
the  tribunal  shall  have power to proceed  with the  arbitration  and make its
award.

     (d) The arbitration shall be held in Washington,  D.C., U.S.A. and shall be
conducted in the English language.

     (e) Any  arbitration  proceeding  held  pursuant to this  article  shall be
governed  exclusively by the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.,  Section 1
et seq.

     (f)  The  following  time  limits  shall  be  observed  in  respect  of any
arbitration  held  pursuant to this  Article:

          (1)  each Party shall appoint its  arbitrator  within ten (10) days of
               receipt of the AAA acknowledgment of a demand for arbitration;

          (2)  the  two  (2)  appointed   arbitrators   shall  appoint  a  third
               arbitrator  within  a  further  twenty  (20)  days  from the time
               stipulated in Article  16.2(f)(1) (unless the two (2) arbitrators
               agree to an  extension  not to exceed an  additional  twenty (20)
               days); and


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<PAGE>



          (3)  any decision by the arbitrators  referred to shall be made within
               six (6) months from the date on which a Party demands arbitration
               or within such extended period as the arbitrators may allow.

     (g) Pending a decision by the arbitral tribunal,  each Party shall,  unless
directed  otherwise by the other Party in writing,  fulfill all its  obligations
under the Contract,  including,  if and so far as it is reasonably  practicable,
the obligation to take steps  necessary  during the  arbitration  proceedings to
ensure that the Work will be delivered within the time stipulated or within such
extended time as may be allowed  under the Contract.  Dispute over payment shall
not relieve Contractor of its obligations under this Article 16.2(g).

     (h) The arbital tribunal shall, after reaching judgment and award,  prepare
and  distribute  to the Parties a writing  describing  the  findings of fact and
conclusions  of law  relevant to such  judgment  and award,  and  containing  an
opinion  setting  forth the reasons  for the giving or denial of any award.  The
award of the arbitral  tribunal  shall be final and binding on the Parties,  and
any judgment thereon may be entered in a court of competent jurisdiction.  In no
event  shall  the  arbitral   tribunal  be  entitled  to  include   indirect  or
consequential damages in any damage award payable by either Party.

     (i) The arbitral  tribunal shall award  prejudgment  interest on any amount
that the tribunal determines is owing from one Party to the other, such interest
to be calculated at an annual rate equal to the Chase  Manhattan Prime Rate then
in effect for each day from  forty-five  (45) days following the date of loss or
from the date of the filing for arbitration, whichever is the earlier, until the
date full payment is made.

     (j)  The  cost  of   arbitration,   including  fees  and  expenses  of  the
arbitrators,  will be shared  equally by the Parties,  unless the arbitral award
otherwise  provides.  Each Party shall bear the cost of preparing and presenting
its own case, unless the arbitral award otherwise provides.

     (k) Notwithstanding  anything else contained herein, the Parties agree that
time is of the essence in resolving any dispute.

16.3 LITIGATION.

     (a) The Parties agree that the only circumstances in which disputes between
them shall not be subject to the provisions of Articles 16.1 and 16.2 is where a
Party  makes a good  faith  determination  that a  breach  of the  terms  of the
Contract  by the other  Party is such that the  damages to such Party  resulting
from the breach will be so  immediate,  so large or severe,  and so incapable of
adequate  redress  after the fact that a  temporary  restraining  order or other
immediate  injunctive  relief is the only  adequate  remedy.  If a Party files a
pleading with a court seeking  immediate  injunctive relief and this pleading is
challenged by the other Party and the injunctive relief sought is not awarded in
substantial  part, the Party filing the pleading  seeking  immediate



                                       45

<PAGE>



injunctive  relief  shall  pay all the costs  and  attorneys'  fees of the Party
successfully challenging the pleading.

     (b) The Parties  consent to the  non-exclusive  jurisdiction  of  competent
Maryland  state courts or federal  courts in the  District of Maryland,  for all
litigation  that may be brought  under  Article  16.3(a)  above,  subject to the
requirement  for  arbitration  hereunder,  with respect to the terms of, and the
transactions  and  relationships  contemplated  by, the  Contract.  The  Parties
further consent to the  jurisdiction of any court located within a district that
encompasses assets of a Party against which a judgment has been rendered, either
through arbitration or through litigation,  for the enforcement of such judgment
or award against the assets of such Party.


17.  TERMINATION

17.1 TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE.

     (a) ORION may, upon written notice to Contractor, terminate all or any part
of the Contract without cause and at any time, and Contractor shall  immediately
cease work in the manner and to the extent  specified and shall similarly direct
its  Subcontractors  and take such action as may be  reasonably  necessary or as
ORION may direct for the protection and  preservation of the Work that is in the
possession  of  Contractor  or any  Subcontractor  and in which ORION has or may
acquire an interest.

     (b) In the event of such  termination  under this Article 17.1 and provided
the  termination  was not due to the default of  Contractor  under Article 17.2,
Contractor  shall be entitled to payment of an amount  equal to, (i) in the case
of  termination  of all of the Contract,  the  Termination  Liability  Amount as
specified in Part l(B) (Payment  Milestone  Schedule and  Termination  Liability
Amounts)  corresponding to the month in which termination occurs less the sum of
the  Payment  Milestones  received  by  Contractor  and,  (ii)  in the  case  of
termination  of a part  of the  Contract,  such  amount  as  applicable  to such
terminated  part,  less the total  applicable  amount of the sum of the  Payment
Milestones  received by  Contractor;  provided  that in either case,  where such
amount is a negative number,  Contractor shall pay such amount promptly to ORION
within twenty (20) days.

     (c)  Contractor  shall  submit an Invoice to ORION  within  sixty (60) days
after the termination date which shall specify the amount due to Contractor from
ORION pursuant to this Article 17.1, and Contractor shall be entitled to payment
by ORION of such  amount  within  thirty (30) days  thereafter.  Payment of such
amount by any Financing  Entity on behalf of ORION to  Contractor  shall relieve
ORION from its obligation to make such payment.

     (d) The amount payable by ORION to Contractor  pursuant to Article  17.1(b)
shall  constitute a total  discharge of ORION's  liabilities  to Contractor  for
termination pursuant to this Article 17.1.


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<PAGE>



     (e) If the Contract is terminated as provided in this Article 17.1 and full
payment is made in accordance  with Articles 17.1 (b) and (c), ORION may require
Contractor  to  transfer to ORION,  in the manner and to the extent  directed by
ORION  and at the  expense  of  ORION,  title  to and  possession  of any  items
comprising  all  or  any  part  of  the  Work  terminated  (including,   without
limitation, all Work in progress and all inventories allocated to the Contract),
and Contractor  shall,  upon the direction and at the expense of ORION,  protect
and preserve  property in the possession of Contractor or its  Subcontractors in
which ORION has an interest and shall  facilitate  access to and  possession  by
ORION of items comprising all or any part of the Work so terminated. If ORION so
requests or ORION has not taken delivery of property in which it has an interest
within  sixty (60) days after  termination,  or such longer  period as is agreed
between the Parties,  Contractor  shall make a reasonable,  good faith effort to
sell such  property and to remit any sales  proceeds to ORION,  less a deduction
for costs of disposition reasonably incurred by Contractor.

17.2 TERMINATION FOR CONTRACTOR'S DEFAULT.

     (a) If at any time  Contractor has failed to make adequate  progress toward
the completion of the ORION-Z Spacecraft, including where such failure is due to
the unlaunched  ORION-Z  Spacecraft or any component  being damaged or destroyed
where such damage or destruction  does not constitute an Excusable  Delay,  such
that Contractor will not be able to Deliver the ORION-Z Spacecraft within ninety
(90) days  after the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  Delivery  Date set forth in Article 6
(Delivery)  (as  such  date  may  have  been  modified  in  accordance  with the
Contract),  then ORION  shall be  entitled  to deliver  to  Contractor  a demand
("Demand")  for  correction  of the failure  within thirty (30) days after ORION
learns of such  failure.  Such Demand  shall state full  details of the failure.
Within ten (10) days after  receipt of the  Demand,  or such  longer time as the
Parties agree,  Contractor shall submit to ORION a Correction Plan for achieving
Final Acceptance of the ORION-Z Spacecraft not later than one hundred and eighty
(180) days after the ORION-Z Spacecraft  Delivery Date as specified in Article 6
(Delivery),  provided that no Correction Plan shall ever result in a change to a
Delivery  Date,  unless  the  Parties  agree in  accordance  with  Article  28.4
(Amendments).  If the Correction Plan does not reasonably  correct or offset the
effect of the failure so as to demonstrate that Final Acceptance can be achieved
not later than one  hundred and eighty  (180) days after the ORION-Z  Spacecraft
Delivery  Date (as such  date may have  been  modified  in  accordance  with the
Contract),  ORION may reject the  Correction  Plan within thirty (30) days after
receipt,  in which case the Parties  shall  negotiate in good faith to develop a
Correction  Plan that will be  satisfactory  to both Parties.  If ORION does not
reject the Correction  Plan within thirty (30) days after receipt,  the Contract
shall be deemed  modified in accordance with the Correction Plan and the failure
shall be  deemed  cured so long as  Contractor  complies  with the terms of such
Correction Plan.

     (b) If Contractor  refuses or fails to observe or perform any material duty
or obligation in the Contract,  except those obligations of Contractor for which
particular  remedies are specified elsewhere in the Contract as being exclusive,
then ORION shall be entitled to deliver to  Contractor  a Demand that it correct
the breach within thirty (30) days.  Such Demand shall state



                                       47
<PAGE>



full details of the breach. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the Demand, or
such  longer  time as the  Parties  agree,  Contractor  shall  submit to ORION a
Correction  Plan. If the Correction  Plan does not reasonably  correct or offset
the effect of the  breach in a timely  manner,  ORION may reject the  Correction
Plan within  thirty  (30) days after  receipt,  in which case the Parties  shall
negotiate in good faith to develop a Correction  Plan that will be  satisfactory
to both Parties. If ORION does not reject the Correction Plan within thirty (30)
days after receipt, the Contract shall be deemed modified in accordance with the
Correction  Plan and the  breach  shall be  deemed  cured so long as  Contractor
complies  with the terms of such  Correction  Plan.

     (c) ORION may, upon written notice to Contractor, terminate immediately for
cause all or any portion of the Contract if:

          (1)  Contractor  does not submit a Correction Plan to ORION within ten
               (10) days  after  receipt  of a  Demand,  or the  Parties  cannot
               develop a Correction Plan that reasonably corrects or offsets the
               effects  of  the   failure   or  breach  or  that  is   otherwise
               satisfactory to both ORION and Contractor within twenty (20) days
               after ORION's rejection of the Correction Plan; or

          (2)  Contractor  fails to  Deliver  in orbit  the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft
               within  one  hundred  and eighty  (180)  days  after the  ORION-Z
               Spacecraft  Delivery  Date set forth in Article 6 (Delivery)  (as
               such  date  may  have  been  modified  in  accordance   with  the
               Contract); or

          (3)  Contractor (i) files for bankruptcy,  (ii) becomes or is declared
               insolvent,  or is the subject of any  proceedings  related to its
               liquidation, insolvency or the appointment of receiver or similar
               officer for it, (iii) makes an assignment  for the benefit of all
               or  substantially  all of its  creditors;  or (iv) enters into an
               agreement for the  composition,  extension,  or  readjustment  of
               substantially all of its obligations; or

          (4)  Contractor resorted to fraudulent,  corrupt or unlawful practices
               in connection with its securing or implementing the Contract; or

          (5)  Contractor breaches its obligations under Article 28.14 (Improper
               Payments,  Kickbacks,  Gifts and  Gratuities)  or  Article  28.15
               (Compliance with Applicable Laws).

     (d) In no event  may ORION  terminate  the  Contract  with  respect  to the
ORION-Z Spacecraft after Intentional Ignition.

     (e) In the  event  ORION  terminates  the  Contract  in whole or in part as
provided in this Article 17.2, then:


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<PAGE>



          (1)  ORION may require  Contractor to transfer to ORION, in the manner
               and to the  extent  directed  by  ORION  and  at the  expense  of
               Contractor,  title to and possession of any items  comprising all
               or  any  part  of  the  Work   terminated   (including,   without
               limitation, all Work in progress and all inventories allocated to
               the  Contract).  The  transfer to ORION of Work in  progress  and
               inventories  allocated  to the  Contract  not  associated  with a
               Payment Milestone that has been Successfully Completed, Conducted
               or Delivered (as defined in Article 5) shall be  contingent  upon
               Contractor  being  paid an  amount  mutually  agreed  upon by the
               Parties for such Work in progress  and  inventories  allocated to
               the Contract,  which amount shall in no event exceed Contractor's
               reasonable  actual cost incurred  therefor.  ORION also may cause
               the ORION-Z  Spacecraft to be completed by another party,  and as
               damages (in  addition to any  applicable  liquidated  damages for
               delay  levied   pursuant  to  Article  6.2  up  to  the  date  of
               termination) may charge  Contractor for any actual and reasonable
               increased  cost  for  such  completion   incurred  in  connection
               therewith  in  excess  of  the  Contract  Price;   provided  that
               Contractor's  liability  for such  additional  damages  shall not
               exceed  [ ] * [ ],  as  may  be  adjusted  under  Article  28.4 *
               (without regard to any payments made to Contractor to the date of
               termination).  The amount payable by Contractor shall be verified
               at  Contractor's   request  and  expense  by  an  internationally
               recognized  firm of accountants  appointed by Contractor for that
               purpose  subject to approval of ORION,  such  approval  not to be
               unreasonably  withheld or  delayed.  A demand for any such excess
               costs must be made  within one (1) year after  termination  under
               this  Article  17.2 and must be paid within sixty (60) days after
               receipt of such verification.  Contractor's right to verification
               shall be without  prejudice  to the rights of either  Party under
               Article  16  (Dispute  Resolution).  The  report  issued  by  the
               accountants  may be used by either Party  during any  arbitration
               proceeding,   but  the  report   shall  not  be  binding  on  the
               arbitrator(s).  By notice in writing  received  by ORION no later
               than sixty (60) days after receipt of ORION's invoice pursuant to
               this  Article  17.2,  Contractor  may  dispute the amount of said
               invoice. In the event Contractor does not so notify ORION that it
               disputes  ORION's  invoice,  Contractor  shall be  deemed to have
               accepted said invoice; or

          (2)  ORION shall  return or dispose of any or all Work in progress (as
               requested by Contractor)  and Contractor  shall pay ORION (i) all
               amounts previously paid by ORION to Contractor,  (ii) as damages,
               direct reasonable  re-procurement costs in excess of the Contract
               Price, such damages not to exceed [ ] (as may be * adjusted under
               Article 28.4),  and (iii) all applicable  liquidated  damages for
               delay  levied   pursuant  to  Article  6.2  up  to  the  date  of
               termination.  Title to the Work in progress  shall vest or remain
               vested in Contractor.


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<PAGE>



     (f) If, after  termination  of the Contract  under this Article 17.2, it is
determined by mutual agreement of the Parties or in accordance with Article 16.2
(Arbitration)  that  Contractor  was not in default under the provisions of this
Article  17.2 or that the default was  excusable  under  Article 6.2  (Excusable
Delay),  Contractor  shall be  entitled  to its  direct  damages  caused  by the
wrongful  default  termination.  Payment shall be made within 30 days of ORION's
receipt of an invoice for such damages with reasonable supporting evidence.

17.3 TERMINATION FOR EXCUSABLE DELAY.

     ORION may, upon written notice to Contractor  terminate  immediately all or
any portion of the Contract if any Excusable  Delay (other than Excusable  Delay
resulting  from acts or  omissions  of ORION that  unreasonably  delay or hinder
Contractor's  performance or ORION's failure to meet its responsibilities  under
the  Contract or its  exercise of its rights  under  Article 25 (Ground  Storage
Option) due to circumstances  caused by ORION) exist for a cumulative  period of
time  exceeding  twelve  (12)  months.  If ORION  so  terminates  the  Contract,
Contractor shall refund to ORION all amounts paid for non-Equipment  Deliverable
Items (such as Data and Documentation and Operations  Training and software) and
all undelivered Equipment Deliverable Items (excluding the ORION-Z Spacecraft if
Launched prior to termination pursuant to this Article 17.3).

17.4 TERMINATION FOR ORION'S DEFAULT.

     (a)  Contractor  shall be entitled to  terminate  the Contract in whole or,
where severable, in part, under the following circumstances:

          (1)  if  Contractor  gives  written  notice to ORION of default in the
               payment of any Milestone  Payment when the same shall have become
               due and payable and ORION fails to cure such event within  thirty
               (30) days after receiving such written notice; or

          (2)  if  Contractor  gives  written  notice to ORION that  Contractor,
               solely as a result of ORION's  failure  (for  reasons that do not
               constitute  Excusable Delay) to perform its  responsibilities  as
               set forth in the Contract, is unable to substantially perform its
               obligations  under the Contract for a period in excess of six (6)
               months;  provided  that:  (i)  Contractor  has used  commercially
               reasonable efforts to perform  notwithstanding ORION's failure to
               perform;  and (ii)  Contractor's  inability to perform  could not
               have  been  prevented  by  reasonable   precautions   and  cannot
               reasonably  be  circumvented  by  Contractor  through  the use of
               alternate sources, work-around plans or other means; or

          (3)  ORION (i) files  for  bankruptcy,  (ii)  becomes  or is  declared
               insolvent,  or is the subject of any  proceedings  related to its
               liquidation, insolvency or the appointment of receiver or similar
               officer for it, (iii) makes an assignment  for



                                       50

<PAGE>



               the benefit of all or substantially all of its creditors; or (iv)
               enters  into an  agreement  for the  composition,  extension,  or
               readjustment of substantially all of its obligations; or

          (4)  ORION  has  resorted  to  fraudulent  or  corrupt   practices  in
               connection with its securing or implementing of the Contract.

     (b)  Except  as  specified  above,  Contractor  shall not have the right to
terminate or suspend the Contract.

     (c)  In the  event  of  such  termination,  Contractor  shall  be  entitled
forthwith to take any or all of the following actions:

          (1)  treat the  Contract as  terminated  as to any or all of the items
               then  undelivered  or services  unperformed  and cease or suspend
               manufacture of any of the items to be supplied hereunder;

          (2)  withhold  delivery of any of the items to be  supplied  hereunder
               until Contractor has received full payment under this Article and
               retain all sums then paid on account thereof,

          (3)  cease  or  suspend  performance  of  any of  the  services  to be
               provided  to ORION  hereunder,  except  those  services  that are
               specifically  intended  to  be  provided  in  connection  with  a
               termination of the Contract; and

          (4)  take  payment  of an amount  equal to the  Termination  Liability
               Amount for the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  for the  calendar  month next
               following  the  calendar  month in which the date of  termination
               occurs,  less the sum of the Milestone Payments actually received
               by  Contractor,  provided  that,  where such amount is a negative
               number,  Contractor  shall  refund such amount  promptly to ORION
               within twenty (20) days. Where Contractor is owed money by ORION,
               Contractor  shall  submit an Invoice to ORION  within  sixty (60)
               days after the  termination  date which shall  specify the amount
               due to  Contractor  from ORION  pursuant to this Article 17.4 and
               Contractor shall immediately be entitled to full payment by ORION
               immediately thereafter.

     (d) To the  extent  that full  payment  has been made  therefor,  ORION may
require Contractor to transfer to ORION in the manner and to the extent directed
by ORION, title to and possession of any items comprising all or any part of the
Work terminated  (including,  without  limitation,  all Work in progress and all
inventories allocated to the Contract),  and Contractor shall, upon direction of
ORION,  protect and preserve  property at ORION's  expense in the  possession of
Contractor  or its  Subcontractors  in which  ORION  has an  interest  and shall
facilitate  access to and possession by ORION of items comprising all or part of
the Work



                                       51

<PAGE>



terminated.  Alternatively,  ORION may request  Contractor to make a reasonable,
good faith  effort to sell such items and to remit any sales  proceeds  to ORION
less a deduction for costs of disposition  reasonably incurred by Contractor for
such efforts.

     (e)  Nothing in this  Article  17.4 shall  affect  ORION's  remedies  under
Article 6.2.

17.5 MITIGATION OF DAMAGES.

     In all  instances,  the Party  terminating or claiming other remedies shall
take all reasonable steps available to it to mitigate any claim that it may have
against the defaulting Party.

17.6 RESOLUTION EFFORTS.

     Except  in  the  case  of  a  default  under  Article  17.2(c)(3),  Article
17.4(a)(1),  and Article 17.4(a)(3),  prior to either Party exercising its right
to terminate  the Contract  under this  Article,  the Parties agree that ORION's
Senior Executive and Contractor's  Senior Executive,  and if mutually agreed, an
independent  third  party,  will meet  within  fifteen  (15) days of  receipt of
written  notice of the dispute by one Party to the other Party to try to resolve
the said dispute.  If ORION's Senior Executive and Contractor's Senior Executive
cannot agree on an  appropriate  resolution of the dispute within ten (10) days,
then the Parties shall resolve their dispute in accordance  with the  provisions
of Article 16; provided,  however, in such circumstances,  the Parties shall not
be required to comply with Articles 16.1(a) - (b).

17.7 CONTINUED PERFORMANCE.

     Each Party shall  continue the  performance  of its  obligations  under the
Contract to the extent not terminated under the provisions of this Article.

18.  KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

18.1 KEY POSITIONS.

     (a) "Key Contractor  Positions" shall be the positions set forth as such in
Part  1(C)  (Key  Contractor  Positions).  Contractor  shall  cause  each of the
personnel filling the Key Contractor Positions to devote such time and effort as
is necessary to provide the Work.

     (b) The  Contractor  Program  Manager  shall  be one of the Key  Contractor
Positions.  The  Contractor  Program  Manager shall serve as the single point of
accountability for Contractor for the Work.


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<PAGE>



18.2 ASSIGNMENT OF KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL.

     (a) With respect to Key Contractor  Positions  identified in Part 1(C) (Key
Contractor  Positions) as being subject to ORION approval,  before  assigning an
individual to such a Key Contractor  Position,  whether as an initial assignment
or a  subsequent  assignment,  Contractor  shall  notify  ORION of the  proposed
assignment,  shall introduce the individual to appropriate ORION representatives
(and,  upon  request,  provide  such  representatives  with the  opportunity  to
interview  the  individual)  and shall  provide  ORION  with a resume  and other
information about the individual reasonably requested by ORION. If ORION in good
faith objects to the proposed  assignment,  the Parties shall attempt to resolve
ORION's  concerns on a mutually  agreeable  basis.  If the Parties have not been
able to resolve ORION's concerns within five (5) Business Days, Contractor shall
not  assign  the  individual  to that  position  and shall  propose to ORION the
assignment  of  another  individual  of  suitable  ability  and  qualifications.
Personnel  filling  such Key  Contractor  Positions  may not be  transferred  or
re-assigned until a suitable replacement has been approved by ORION.

     (b) With respect to Key Contractor  Positions  identified in Part 1(C) (Key
Contractor  Positions) as being subject to ORION consultation,  before assigning
an  individual  to  such  a Key  Contractor  Position,  whether  as  an  initial
assignment  or a  subsequent  assignment,  Contractor  shall notify ORION of the
proposed  assignment,  shall  introduce  the  individual  to  appropriate  ORION
representatives  (and,  upon  request,  provide  such  representatives  with the
opportunity to interview the  individual)  and shall provide ORION with a resume
and other  information  about the individual  reasonably  requested by ORION. If
ORION in good faith  objects  to the  proposed  assignment,  the  Parties  shall
attempt to resolve ORION's concerns on a mutually agreeable basis.

18.3 APPROVED KEY CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL.

     The personnel  approved as of the Effective Date to fill the Key Contractor
Positions  identified in Part 1(C) as subject to ORION  approval,  are listed in
Part 1(C).

19.  PERMITS, LICENSES AND GOVERNMENT APPROVALS

19.1 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY AND EXPENSES.

     (a) Contractor shall, at its own expense,  secure and maintain all permits,
licenses and approvals as may be required for the  performance of the Work under
the Contract,  including any  authorization  or license  relating to transfer or
export of  technology  or technical  data and any  applicable  launch  licenses.
Contractor  shall,  at its own expense,  perform the Work in accordance with the
conditions of all applicable permits and licenses.

     (b) Contractor shall submit an application to the appropriate United States
Government entity for a Technical Assistance  Agreement.  Such application shall
be  made  within



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thirty (30) days after EDC provided ORION  supports the  application in a timely
manner and shall identify ORION's Consultants.

19.2 ORION REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT APPLICATIONS.

     Contractor shall review with ORION any application  Contractor makes to any
government department,  agency or entity for any permit,  license,  agreement or
approvals, as may be required to meet Contractor's contractual obligations under
the Contract,  prior to the  submission of such  application.  Contractor  shall
provide ORION a minimum of ten (10)  Business  Days to review such  applications
prior to submission to such  governmental  entity and  Contractor  shall in good
faith  consider  any  comments  made by  ORION  and  shall  incorporate  in such
application all reasonable revisions to such application proposed by ORION.

19.3 COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS.

     Notwithstanding  any other Article in the Contract,  the Parties understand
and  agree  that  certain  restrictions,  including  those  placed  on access to
Contractor's and  Subcontractor's  plants and the use, sale or other disposition
of technical  data,  and/or Work delivered  under the Contract may be imposed by
any government which has  jurisdiction  over the Work. The Parties at all times,
both before and after  completion of the Contract,  agree to be and remain bound
by any such government requirements pertaining to the technical data or Work and
shall cooperate in obtaining all required consents and approvals.

20.  ACCESS TO WORK IN PROGRESS

20.1 GENERAL.

     (a) The provisions of this Article 20 are subject to Article 19.3.

     (b)  ORION  Personnel  shall  have  reasonable  access to any  premises  of
Contractor  or  Subcontractor  on an "as  needed"  basis  where  Work  is  being
performed  under the  Contract  and may observe all of the Work,  as well as any
associated facilities and documentation,  during regular business hours, or such
other times as Work is being  performed  under the Contract,  provided that such
access does not unreasonably  interfere with such Work. Contractor shall provide
ORION Personnel  reasonable  assistance in the performance of such  inspections.
The  Parties  agree that  non-escort  badges to agreed work areas for the period
from  commencement  of Work  through  Launch  where ORION  activities  are being
performed  shall be made  available to all ORION  Personnel  subject to adequate
notice of personnel details being provided to Contractor and security and export
clearance being granted.


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<PAGE>



20.2 OFFICE SPACE AND FACILITIES.

     (a)   Contractor   shall  provide  office  space  and  facilities  for  the
accommodation  of up to four (4) ORION Personnel at Contractor's  facilities and
shall  make  reasonable  work  space  available  for  such  ORION  Personnel  at
environmental  test  facilities (if located off site) and shall use best efforts
to ensure that office space and  facilities are provided for up to two (2) ORION
Personnel  at other  selected  Subcontractors'  plants on a  temporary  basis to
attend meetings or witness tests. At a minimum,  Contractor shall provide desks,
chairs, office supplies,  local telephone service (long distance telephone usage
to be charged to ORION),  car parking  facilities and access to meetings  rooms,
copying machines and facsimile equipment,  and, as available,  access to and use
of video conferencing facilities at Contractor's facilities (in this connection,
Contractor  will take  reasonable  measures  to  facilitate  video  conferencing
between  Contractor's  facilities  and  ORION's  premises,  provided  the  video
conferencing facilities of both Parties are fundamentally compatible).

     (b) ORION Personnel visiting or resident at Contractor's or Subcontractors'
facilities will abide by the applicable security and export regulations and will
not disclose to any third party any information that is identified by Contractor
or by Subcontractors to be of a proprietary  nature.  All ORION Personnel having
access to Contractor's  technical data or manufacturing  facilities are required
to be bound by a duly executed non-disclosure agreement.

     (c)  Notwithstanding  the fact that ORION Personnel visiting or resident at
Contractor's  or  Subcontractors'   facilities  will  be  in  consultation  with
Contractor's  or  Subcontractors'  employees,  such ORION Personnel shall remain
employees of ORION, its Consultants , as applicable,  and as such,  compensation
for their services and all liability for their actions remain the responsibility
of ORION Personnel, as applicable.

20.3 DOCUMENTATION.

     (a) ORION  Personnel  will  have  reasonable  access  to (i) any  drawings,
circuit diagrams/schematics,  specifications,  standards or process descriptions
available to Contractor  and relevant to the ORION-Z  Spacecraft,  (ii) data and
documentation  provided to Contractor by its  Subcontractors and relevant to the
ORION-Z  Spacecraft  (to  the  extent  permitted  by  the  Subcontractors  after
Contractor has used best efforts to obtain such permission),  and (iii) Data and
Documentation.  Contractor will make available to ORION Personnel copies of such
documentation,  at no  charge  to  ORION,  on the  reasonable  request  of ORION
Personnel  where such  documentation  is necessary  for  evaluation  of designs,
performance considerations, assessment of test plans and test results or for any
other  purpose  connected  with  the  design,   qualification,   testing,  Final
Acceptance  or  operation  of the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  and its  components.  To
facilitate  their work in this respect,  Contractor  will allow ORION  Personnel
reasonable   access  to  all   indexes   related  to  such   drawings,   circuit
diagrams/schematics, and documents.


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<PAGE>



     (b) With regard to electronically  generated  information,  Contractor will
copy ORION and/or provide ORION electronic access to that information  necessary
to keep ORION advised,  on a current  basis,  of program  issues,  decisions and
problems.  To the  extent  Contractor  establishes  data links for  general  use
between  the  facilities  of  Contractor  and its  customers,  Contractor  shall
establish  data links  between  its and ORION's  facilities  such that ORION has
remote electronic  access to those project related documents  identified in Part
2(B) (CDRL).  Contractor  will also  provide  ORION  Personnel  with "real time"
access to all measured data taken at Contractor's and Subcontractors' facilities
on a  non-interference  basis.

     (c)  Subject  to  Article 9  (Changes  in Scope of Work),  the  inspection,
examination, agreement to, or approval, waiver or deviation by ORION (other than
in  accordance  with  Article  28.4  (Amendments))  with  regard to any  design,
drawing,  specification or other documentation produced under the Contract shall
not relieve Contractor from fulfilling its contractual  obligations or result in
any liability being imposed on ORION.

20.4 MEETINGS AND REVIEWS.

     (a) ORION  Personnel  shall be entitled to attend all  meetings and reviews
(including  meetings and reviews held by electronic  means) of Contractor and of
Contractor  with  any  Subcontractors   where  such  meetings  and  reviews  are
materially  related to project  schedule and  management,  engineering,  design,
manufacturing,  integration,  testing  and  launch  and shall  have the right to
participate in and make recommendations,  but not to control, give directions or
assign  actions,  in all meetings and reviews at the system,  subsystem and unit
level,  as  well  as  internal  program  reviews.  The  Parties  agree  to  work
cooperatively  in resolving issues that arise at the various meetings and, where
ORION has an objection to a recommended resolution/ implementation,  the Parties
agree to discuss it at the Senior Executive level prior to  implementation,  but
the final decision  concerning  implementation  shall remain with Contractor who
shall provide ORION with a written explanation for its decision.

     (b) In the event a  meeting  or review is  convened  at  Contractor's  or a
Subcontractor's  plant,  Contractor shall provide  reasonable  advance notice to
ORION  (e.g.,  one week for  regularly  scheduled  meetings)  and shall make the
necessary arrangements to facilitate the entry of ORION Personnel to the meeting
place.

20.5 SUBCONTRACTS.

     Contractor  shall  require  that any  Subcontract  entered  into after EDC,
contains  a  provision  substantially  similar  to  this  Article  20 to  ensure
effectiveness of ORION's rights under the Contract. With respect to Subcontracts
entered  into  before  EDC,  ORION's  rights  under this  Article 20 shall be as
permitted in such Subcontracts.


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<PAGE>



21.  LICENSE RIGHTS

21.1 SOFTWARE, INVENTIONS AND DATA AND DOCUMENTATION.

     (a)  License.  Contractor  grants  to ORION an  irrevocable,  non-exclusive
license to use and have used  throughout  the world (i) any software  covered by
any  copyright  or  patent  and any  invention  covered  by any  patent,  now or
hereafter  owned by  Contractor or for which  Contractor  has or may acquire the
right to grant such a license,  which  software  and/or  invention  is  directly
incorporated  in any  Deliverable  Item or  directly  employed in the use of any
Deliverable Item under the Contract,  and (ii) the Data and Documentation.  Such
license  shall,  in  connection  with the  operation,  maintenance,  redesign or
modification of any Deliverable Items:

          (1)  permit the copying of such software; and

          (2)  in the event Contractor no longer elects, or is able, to maintain
               such software,  permit the modification of such software by ORION
               (with  Contractor  releasing  to ORION the  source  code for such
               software upon such event); and

          (3)  permit the copying and modification of Data and  Documentation by
               ORION; and

          (4)  be deemed to be fully paid-up; and




                                       57
<PAGE>



          (5)  be on reasonable terms and conditions for other purposes.

Such license shall be transferable to any other entity,  subject to Contractor's
approval, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Nothing herein shall be
construed as (i) granting any rights of ownership in any  intellectual  property
contained in ORION-made  redesigns or modifications of Deliverable Items or (ii)
conferring  any  liability  on  Contractor  for  such  ORION-made  redesigns  or
modifications.

     (b) No  Limitation  of  Rights.  This  Article  shall not be  construed  as
limiting any rights of ORION or  obligations  of Contractor  under the Contract,
including  specifically  the  right of  ORION,  without  payment  of  additional
compensation to Contractor, to use, have used, deliver, lease, sell or otherwise
dispose of, any item or any part thereof, delivered under the Contract.

21.2 TECHNICAL DATA AND INFORMATION.

     (a)  Definitions. The following definitions shall apply to the Contract:

          (1)  "Technical Data and  Information"  includes but is not limited to
               technical   writings,   sound  recordings,   computer   programs,
               pictorial reproductions,  drawings,  circuit  diagrams/schematics
               and other graphic  representations  and works of similar  nature,
               and any other data  necessary  to enable the  manufacture  of any
               item or the  practice of any process  manufactured  or  practiced
               pursuant  to the  Contract,  whether or not  copyrighted,  to the
               extent that the same are of the type customarily  retained in the
               normal  course of business.  The term does not include  financial
               reports,  costs  analyses,  and other  information  incidental to
               contract administration.

          (2)  "Foreground  Data"  means  any  Technical  Data  and  Information
               generated  in the  performance  of the Work under the Contract or
               any Subcontract.

          (3)  "Background  Data" means  Technical Data and  Information,  other
               than Foreground Data,  directly  utilized in the execution of the
               Work  performed   under  the  Contract  or  any  Subcontract  and
               necessary for the reconstruction,  establishment,  maintenance or
               operation  of  any  item  delivered  under  the  Contract  or any
               Subcontract  or for the  modification  of any software  delivered
               under the Contract (as permitted  under the Contract by ORION) or
               any Subcontract.

     (b)  Foreground Data.

          (1)  Upon completion of the Work or upon  termination of the Contract,
               and also  upon  written  request  of ORION  not more  often  than
               quarterly  during  the  term



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<PAGE>



               of the  Contract,  Contractor  shall  notify ORION of any and all
               items of Foreground Data.  Notification shall be in the form of a
               list setting forth the nature of the Foreground Data, the system,
               subsystem,  or part to which  each such item of  Foreground  Data
               relates,  and the  source  of each  such  item.  ORION  shall  be
               entitled to disclose any such list of Foreground  Data  furnished
               to it hereunder,  in whole or in part, to any third party for the
               purposes of reconstructing,  establishing, maintaining, marketing
               and operating the ORIONSAT System.

          (2)  At any time after the  Effective  Date of the  Contract and until
               the end of the  twenty-fourth  (24th)  month after final  payment
               under, or termination of, the Contract, or at any time thereafter
               so long as Contractor  retains it, Contractor shall, upon written
               request of ORION,  disclose to ORION any and all Foreground  Data
               without payment of additional  compensation to Contractor.  ORION
               shall be  entitled to  disclose,  without  payment of  additional
               compensation to Contractor, any and all Foreground Data disclosed
               to it  hereunder  to any third  party for the  purposes  of or in
               connection  with   reconstructing,   establishing,   maintaining,
               marketing and operating the ORIONSAT System.

          (3)  Contractor  agrees  to and  does  hereby  grant  to  ORION or its
               assignees  pursuant to Article 28.2  (Assignment) an irrevocable,
               non-exclusive,  fully  paid-up  right and  license  to use and to
               authorize  any  third  party to use,  throughout  the  world  and
               without   payment  of  additional   compensation  to  Contractor,
               Foreground  Data for the  purposes  of,  or in  connection  with,
               reconstructing,    establishing,   maintaining,   marketing   and
               operating the ORIONSAT  System,  together  with the  irrevocable,
               nonexclusive,  fully  paid-up  and  royalty-free  right  to  have
               Contractor  grant  directly  to such  third  party such right and
               license to use.  As among all users  under this  Article  21, the
               terms and  conditions  of the rights of the use granted  shall be
               nondiscriminatory.

     (c)  Background  Data.  To the  extent  Contractor  now is or  subsequently
becomes entitled to do so,  Contractor  agrees, at the written request of ORION,
(i) to grant to ORION an  irrevocable,  non-exclusive,  fully  paid-up right and
license to use Background  Data  throughout the world,  and (ii) an irrevocable,
royalty-free  right to have  Contractor  grant  directly  to any third party the
right  and  license  to  use   Background   Data   throughout  the  world  on  a
non-discriminatory   basis,   provided   that,   subject  to   Article   21.2(e)
(Unconditional  Use),  such  use by such  third  parties  shall  be on fair  and
reasonable terms and conditions to be negotiated directly between Contractor and
such  third  party  requesting  the use of such  Background  Data.  Any right or
license to use  granted  pursuant to this  Article  shall be limited to that use
necessary for the reconstruction,  modification,  establishment, maintenance and
operation  of  (those  portions  of the  ORIONSAT  System  delivered  under  the
Contract).



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<PAGE>



     (d)  Copying Rights.

          (1)  ORION  and/or  the  person or entity to whom  Technical  Data and
               Information  is  furnished  under  the  Contract  shall  have the
               irrevocable  and  non-exclusive  right to copy for use authorized
               under the Contract in connection  with any items  delivered under
               the Contract, any Technical Data and Information that is required
               to be  furnished  to  ORION  and  such  others  pursuant  to  the
               Contract;  provided that if any of the foregoing  Technical  Data
               and Information is copyrighted, Contractor hereby grants to ORION
               and such others the  royalty-free  right to copy such copyrighted
               material  to the  extent  that  Contractor  now has or  hereafter
               acquires  the  authority  to grant to others  such  right to make
               copies.   ORION  and  such  others  shall  apply  an  appropriate
               copyright notice to all copies of such copyrighted Technical Data
               and Information.

          (2)  At the time that any Technical Data and  Information is furnished
               under the  Contract to ORION and such  others,  Contractor  shall
               notify  ORION and such others in writing of the  inclusion in the
               furnished material of any such amount of copyrighted  material or
               other  material with respect to which  Contractor is not entitled
               to grant the right to make copies to others. Any such copyrighted
               material  that  is  marked  by  Contractor  with  an  appropriate
               proprietary legend shall be protected by ORION and such others in
               the  same   manner  as  they   protect   their  own   proprietary
               information.

     (e) Unconditional Use. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article,
with  respect  to any  Technical  Data and  Information  any person or entity is
authorized by the terms of this Article to use only under certain  conditions or
limitations,  such use shall be free, unconditional and unlimited from and after
the time such  Technical  Data and  Information  comes into the public domain or
becomes  otherwise  lawfully  available  to such  person or entity on such other
terms.

     (f)  Proprietary Markings.

          (1)  All Foreground  Data furnished  pursuant to this Article shall be
               marked by Contractor with the following legend:

                    "This document is furnished pursuant to a Contract
                    between     ORION     and     Contractor     dated
                    _________________  (adding, if appropriate,  and a
                    subcontract  thereunder  between  ____________ and
                    _____________).  This document contains Foreground
                    Data as  defined  in that  Contract,  which may be
                    used  only  in  the  manner   specified   in  that
                    Contract,   unless  such  Foreground  Data  is  or
                    lawfully  becomes  in the



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<PAGE>



                    public domain or is or lawfully becomes  available
                    to the user on other terms."

          (2)  All Background  Data furnished  pursuant to this Article shall be
               marked by Contractor with the following legend:

                    "This document is furnished pursuant to a Contract
                    between ORION and  Contractor  dated  (adding,  if
                    appropriate,  and a subcontract thereunder between
                    __________ and __________). This document contains
                    Background Data as defined in that Contract, which
                    may be used only in the manner  specified  in that
                    Contract,  and upon such terms as are agreed  upon
                    by  _______________  and  the  user,  unless  such
                    Background  Data  is or  lawfully  becomes  in the
                    public domain or is or lawfully becomes  available
                    to the user on other terms."

          (3)  ORION and/or the person or entity to whom any Technical  Data and
               Information is furnished  under the Contract shall be entitled at
               any time to modify, remove, obliterate, or ignore any marking not
               authorized  by this Article 21 on any piece of Technical  Data or
               Information furnished under the Contract,  but only after written
               notice and reasonable opportunity has been given to Contractor to
               defend such marking.

     (g)  Subcontracts.

     Contractor  shall,  unless  otherwise  authorized or directed by ORION, use
best efforts to include in each  Subcontract  hereunder a license  rights clause
pursuant to which each  Subcontractor  will grant license rights to ORION to the
same extent as the license rights granted by Contractor in this Article.

22.  CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE OF PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

22.1 DEFINITION AND EXEMPTIONS.

     (a) Definition. During the course of performance of the Contract each Party
may have access to or receive  information  from the other,  such as information
concerning  inventions,   techniques,   processes,   devices,   discoveries  and
improvements, or regarding administrative, marketing, financial or manufacturing
activities.   All  such  information,   including  any  materials  or  documents
containing such  information,  whether  disclosed orally or otherwise,  shall be



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considered  proprietary  and  confidential  information of the disclosing  Party
("Proprietary Information").

     (b)  Exemptions.   For  the  purpose  of  this  Article  22,   "Proprietary
Information"  shall not include any  information  that the  receiving  Party can
establish (i) was, at the time of disclosure to it, in the public  domain;  (ii)
after  disclosure  to it, is published  or otherwise  becomes part of the public
domain through no fault of the receiving  Party;  (iii) was in the possession of
the  receiving  party  at the  time  of  disclosure  to it,  as  established  by
documentary  evidence;  (iv) was received  after  disclosure  to it from a third
party  who  had a  lawful  right  to  disclose  such  information;  and  (v) was
independently  developed  by  the  receiving  Party  without  reference  to  the
Proprietary  Information of the other,  as established by documentary  evidence.

22.2 PRIOR APPROVAL OF CERTAIN DISCLOSURES.

     (a) Contractor agrees that it will not, for the period specified in Article
22.3(a),  disclose  details of the Work to be provided  to ORION,  to the extent
that such disclosure would reveal specific performance information regarding the
ORIONSAT System and the ORION-Z  Spacecraft or any other  information that would
materially  affect  ORION's  commercial  interests or the  commercial use of the
ORIONSAT System without the prior written  consent of ORION,  which shall not be
unreasonably  withheld.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Parties  expressly
agree that Contractor shall have the  unrestricted  right at any time to use and
to supply to third  parties  services or  equipment  similar or identical to any
Work provided hereunder.

     (b) ORION agrees that it will not, for the period specified in Article 22.3
(a),  disclose  Proprietary  Information  of  Contractor to the extent that such
disclosure  would reveal  information to a direct  competitor of Contractor that
would materially affect the commercial interests of Contractor without the prior
written  consent  of  Contractor,  which  shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld.
Contractor  agrees  that for  purposes  of this  Article  22, in the event  that
TELESAT  and/or COMSAT are engaged as  Consultants  to ORION for purposes of the
Contract, they shall not be deemed direct competitors of Contractor.

22.3 CONFIDENTIALITY OBLIGATIONS.

     (a) Both during and for a period of three (3) years  after the  termination
or  expiration  of the  Contract,  each Party agrees to preserve and protect the
confidentiality  of the  Proprietary  Information  of the other and all physical
forms  thereof.   Neither  Party  shall  disclose  or  disseminate   Proprietary
Information of the other to any third party,  including  employees,  independent
consultants,  or  Subcontractors  unless  each  Party has (i) a need to know the
Proprietary Information for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, operating,
financing or marketing the ORIONSAT  System,  and (ii) has executed an agreement
obligating  the  party  to  maintain  the  confidentiality  of  the  Proprietary
Information and limiting the use of the Proprietary Information to establishing,
maintaining,  operating,  financing or marketing  the ORIONSAT  System.  Neither
Party shall use Proprietary  Information of the other for its own benefit or for
the



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benefit of any third party, except as specifically  provided under the terms and
conditions of the Contract.

     (b) The  foregoing  shall not  affect any right of ORION in respect of Data
and  Documentation  provided  for under the  Contract  nor shall either Party be
prevented  from using the  general  know-how  and  abilities  gained  during the
performance of the Contract for any purpose whatsoever.

22.4 COPYING.

     (a)  Either  Party  shall  be  entitled  to make  copies  of any  documents
containing  Proprietary  Information  under the terms  and  conditions  outlined
above.

     (b) Either Party shall have the right at any time to remove,  obliterate or
ignore any proprietary/confidential  legend placed on any Data or Documentation,
or other  information  furnished  under the Contract  where the legend is not in
accordance  with the  Contract  but only  after  notice to the  other  Party and
reasonable opportunity for such Party to defend such legend.

23.  YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

     Contractor  represents  and  warrants  that any and all  software  provided
hereunder will accurately process date/time data (including, but not limited to,
calculating,  comparing,  and sequencing)  from, into, and between the twentieth
and  twenty-first  centuries,  and  the  years  1999  and  2000  and  leap  year
calculations   (hereinafter   "Year  2000   Compliant").   Year  2000  Compliant
information  technology,   when  used  in  combination  with  other  information
technology,  shall accurately  process  date/time data if the other  information
technology  properly  exchanges  date/time data  (hereinafter,  collectively the
"Year 2000 Warranty").

24.  CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

24.1 GENERAL.

     Contractor shall conduct and/or attend  meetings,  reviews and analyses and
shall prepare and deliver reports (including progress reports) and documentation
as required in Part 2(A) (SOW) and Part 2(B)(CDRL).

24.2 APPROVALS AND ACCEPTANCES.

     No approval,  acceptance,  waiver or deviation prior to Final Acceptance by
ORION of any  action  or item  under the  Contract  shall  waive any of  ORION's
contractual  rights with regard to Final  Acceptance of any Deliverable  Item or
otherwise change or modify  Contractor's  obligation to meet the requirements of
the Contract  except to the extent a requirement  is expressly and


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<PAGE>



specifically   waived  by  a  written   instrument   signed  by  an   authorized
representative  of ORION  and made an  Amendment  to the  Contract  pursuant  to
Article 28.4 (Amendment).

24.3 CONTRACT MONITORING.

     During the  performance  of the Contract,  Contractor  and ORION shall each
designate a person to be its Contract Program Manager,  whose duties shall be to
monitor the Work and to act as liaisons between the Parties.  Such monitoring by
ORION shall not relieve  Contractor  from  performing the Contract in accordance
with its terms and shall not in any way detract from Contractor's position as an
independent contractor.

24.4 ORION CONSULTANTS.

     ORION's  Consultants  shall  not be  employees  of  any  entity  in  direct
competition  with  Contractor's  manufacturing  operations  and  shall  have  no
authority to change any part of the Contract, or to direct Contractor or to bind
ORION.  The  Parties  agree that  TELESAT and COMSAT may be utilized by ORION as
Consultants  on the ORION-Z  program.  Any changes to the Contract shall be made
only in accordance with Article 28.4 (Amendments),  but ORION's  Consultants may
participate  in  discussions   regarding  such  changes.  Any  action  taken  by
Contractor prior to the resolution of any such question shall be at Contractor's
own risk and expense.

24.5 SUBCONTRACTING.

     (a)  Contractor  shall  provide  ORION two (2)  copies of all  Subcontracts
issued, either by Contractor or by a Major Subcontractor on an "as-needed basis"
at ORION's  request.  Such copies shall not be required to contain any financial
information.

     (b) To the extent  practical,  all Major  Subcontracts  issued at any time,
including  those  Subcontracts   entered  into  before  EDC  shall  contain  the
provisions  specified  in the  Articles of the  Contract as  appropriate  to the
particular Major Subcontract.

     (c) Major Subcontracts.

          (1)  Contractor has  represented  that in the  performance of the Work
               required by the Contract,  it will be necessary for Contractor or
               its Subcontractors to enter into Major  Subcontracts.  Initially,
               the Major Subcontractors are as provided below:


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<PAGE>



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   TABLE 24.5
                              MAJOR SUBCONTRACTORS
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       NAME OF MAJOR
       SUBCONTRACTOR                               DESCRIPTION OF WORK
       -------------                               -------------------

Arianespace                                     Launch Vehicle

Narda                                           Linearizers

AEG/Thomson                                     TWT

Bosch                                           EPC

ComDev                                          Switches, Diplexers

Alenia                                          Telemetry & Command RF Equipment

TecStar                                         Solar Array Panels

MELCO                                           Solar Array Panels

NEC                                             Earth Sensors

Adcole                                          Sun Sensors

Eagle-Picher                                    Battery Cells

Sharp                                           Solar Cells

Lockheed Martin Federal Systems                 SCE Processors

Pressure Systems Inc.                           Propellant Tanks

Lincoln Composites                              Pressurant Tanks

Kaiser Marquart                                 110 lb. Thrusters


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<PAGE>



Atlantic Research Corp.                         5 lb. Thrusters

Teldix                                          Momentum Wheel

Ferranti                                        Digital Integrating Rate Assy

MELCO                                           Structural Panels, Comm Panels

          (2)  In the event that Contractor or a Major Subcontractor  selects or
               has a necessity to terminate any Major  Subcontract or substitute
               Major  Subcontractors on any Major Subcontract,  Contractor shall
               consult with ORION and discuss any and all such actions  prior to
               implementation.  The foregoing  shall also apply to  Subcontracts
               and  Subcontractors  on an "as needed basis."  Subject to Article
               24.5(c)(3),  ORION  shall  have no  right or  prior  approval  of
               Contractor's actions.

          (3)  In the event that  Contractor  has a necessity  to  terminate  or
               substitute  any  Major  Subcontractor,   Contractor  shall  first
               consult with and obtain the approval of ORION.  If ORION does not
               approve  such  actions and  Contractor  deems such  actions to be
               necessary to meet its performance obligations under the Contract,
               then Contractor may take such action without ORION's approval.

          (4)  In the event that  Contractor  or a  Subcontractor  that has been
               awarded a Major  Subcontract has reason to waive, or to agree to,
               a deviation  in any of the  technical  requirements  of any Major
               Subcontract  that will cause a material  impact on the  technical
               parameters  of the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  as set forth in Part 3(A)
               (Technical  Specifications),  such variations shall be handled in
               accordance with Part 3(A) and shall require a formal Amendment to
               the Contract pursuant to Article 28.4.

     (d) Nothing in the Contract shall be construed as creating any  contractual
relationship   between  ORION  and  any   Subcontractor.   Contractor  is  fully
responsible  to ORION for the acts and  omissions of  Subcontractors  and of all
persons used by Contractor or a Subcontractor in connection with the performance
of the Work  under the  Contract.  Any  failure by a  Subcontractor  to meet its
obligations  to Contractor  shall not  constitute a basis for  excusable  delay,
except as  provided  in Article  6.3  (Excusable  Delay),  and shall not relieve
Contractor from meeting any of its obligations under the Contract.


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25.  GROUND STORAGE OPTION

25.1 NOTIFICATION.

     ORION,  at its option to be  exercised no later than three (3) months prior
to the projected shipment date of the ORION-Z Spacecraft to the launch site, may
direct  Contractor to provide ground storage for such Spacecraft for a period of
up to eighteen (18) months. ORION's exercise of its rights under this Article 25
shall constitute an Excusable Delay as provided in Article 6.3 (Excusable Delay)
provided ORION exercises such right due to circumstances caused by ORION.

25.2 STORAGE LOCATION.

     Ground storage shall be provided at a facility controlled by Contractor and
shall be conducted in accordance  with the  satellite  storage plan set forth in
Part 5 (Satellite Storage Plan).

25.3 STORAGE PRICES.

     In the event that ORION, due to circumstances or Excusable Delay not caused
by  ORION,  elects  to  exercise  the  ground  storage  option  for the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft provided in this Article 25 from Contractor, then such ground storage
(and reverification of system flight assurance and reverification testing) shall
be provided at no charge to ORION.  Otherwise:  (i) such ground storage shall be
provided  for  the  firm  fixed  price  of [ ] per  month  while  * the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft is in ground storage and until ORION directs  Contractor  pursuant to
Article  25.6 to  remove  such  Spacecraft  from  ground  storage,  conduct  the
verification  tests, and ship such Spacecraft to the launch site; and (ii) ORION
shall pay directly or reimburse  Contractor for  reverification of system flight
assurance and reverification testing (at [ ] * [ ] of Contractor's cost) and for
such   reasonable   additional   costs  such  as  taxes,   *  tariffs,   duties,
transportation,  insurance and launch-related expenses that Contractor would not
have incurred had ORION not elected ground  storage for the ORION-Z  Spacecraft.

25.4 INVOICING AND PAYMENT.

     Contractor  shall  provide  ORION an  Invoice  for  amounts  due under this
Article 25 in arrears in  accordance  with  Article  5.1.  ORION  shall pay such
invoiced amounts in accordance with Article 5.

25.5 TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS.

     Title  and risk of loss or  damage  to the  ORION-Z  Spacecraft  shall,  as
provided in Article 8, remain with  Contractor  during ground  storage and until
Final Acceptance.


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<PAGE>



25.6 NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO LAUNCH A STORED SPACECRAFT.

     ORION  shall  direct  Contractor  by written  notice to remove the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft  from ground storage and Deliver the Spacecraft  in-orbit  subject to
the  availability of a Launch  Vehicle.  This  notification  must be received by
Contractor  no less than six (6) months prior to the revised  Delivery  Date for
the ORION-Z Spacecraft.

25.7 IN-ORBIT PERFORMANCE WARRANTY AND PAYMENTS.

     (a) In the event that ORION, due to circumstances or Excusable Delay caused
by ORION,  elects to exercise the ground storage option provided in this Article
25, upon placement of the ORION-Z Spacecraft in ground storage,  ORION shall pay
to Contractor  interest on the Orbital Incentive Amount at the rate specified in
Article 5.4 for the period of ground storage until ORION provides Contractor the
notice  specified  in  Article  25.6.  Upon  Final  Acceptance  of  the  ORION-Z
Spacecraft, the provisions of Article 12 shall apply.

     (b) In the event it is determined that the amount of the Advance  Incentive
Payment to which  Contractor is entitled at Final Acceptance under Article 12 is
less than one hundred  percent  (100%) of the  Orbital  Incentive  Amount,  then
Contractor  shall pay to ORION a refund in the amount of the difference  between
interest paid by ORION under (a) above and interest on the amount of the Advance
Incentive  Payment to which  Contractor  is entitled at Final  Acceptance,  such
interest at the rate  specified  in Article 5.4 for the period  specified in (a)
above.

26.  LAUNCH VEHICLE AGENCY

26.1 INSURANCE.

     Contractor shall require the Launch Agency to provide (and verify provision
of) insurance as required by any governmental  agency, for loss or damage to its
property resulting from activities to be carried out in connection with launches
to be provided under the Contract.  In  consideration  of and conditioned upon a
reciprocal waiver by the applicable government,  both ORION and Contractor agree
to waive any claim  against  that  government  or its  agencies for any property
damage or loss they  sustain or for any  personal  injury  to,  death of, or any
property damage or loss sustained by their own employees.

26.2 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

     The Launch Agency has executed  agreements with various government agencies
for use of  government-owned  property and facilities relating to the production
of launch vehicles and launch operations.  ORION agrees that it will comply with
the   applicable   government's   laws  and   regulations   as  they  relate  to
ORION-furnished  property  and  personnel.  Contractor  will  request the Launch
Agency to furnish copies of such agreements to ORION upon ORION's request. ORION
will indemnify  Contractor for any ORION  violation of the laws,  regulations or


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<PAGE>



agreements as specified  herein.  In furtherance  of the foregoing,  the Parties
shall, before launch,  execute and deliver an agreement for waiver of claims and
assumption  of  responsibility,  if the  execution  of which is  required by the
applicable government as a condition of granting Contractor's license to conduct
launch activities and launch the ORION-Z Spacecraft.

27.  RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTRACT

27.1 ABILITY TO PERFORM.

     Contractor,  by  having  submitted  a  tender  to  perform  the Work and by
executing the Contract, shall be deemed to have satisfied itself as to:

     (a) all the  conditions  and  circumstances  which may affect the  Contract
Price, as defined in Article 5; and

     (b) the  feasibility  of the Work to be  performed in  accordance  with the
terms and conditions of the Contract.

Accordingly,  Contractor  warrants that it has the necessary skills,  facilities
and capacity to perform the Work in accordance  with the terms and conditions of
the Contract.

27.2 FIXED CONTRACT PRICE.

     Contractor  acknowledges  that it has fixed the Contract Price according to
its own view and  assessment of all relevant  matters and no  additional  costs,
except as otherwise expressly provided for in the Contract, will be charged over
and above the Contract Price.

27.3 INCONSISTENCIES IN CONTRACT.

     (a) By  executing  the  Contract,  the Parties  acknowledge  that they have
thoroughly examined all parts of the Contract, and agree that they are complete,
consistent and accurate.  If Contractor  decides,  during the performance of the
Work,  that any portion of the Contract is  inaccurate  or  incomplete,  or that
there are  inconsistencies,  it shall  notify ORION in writing  specifying  full
particulars and request  resolution before proceeding with the Work in question.
If Contractor proceeds before obtaining such a resolution, it does so at its own
risk and expense, and whether or not the course it has chosen is satisfactory to
ORION,  it  shall  be  entitled  to no  increase  in the  Contract  Price or any
extension of the  Delivery  Dates set out in Article 6. If  Contractor  proceeds
with  the  Work  before  obtaining  resolution  of  any  inaccuracy,  incomplete
information  or  inconsistency  and the  course of action it has  pursued is not
chosen by ORION,  it  shall,  upon  request  by ORION,  promptly  and at its own
expense,   follow  the  course  of  action   directed  by  ORION  and  make  all
readjustments that may be required.


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<PAGE>



     (b) ORION shall  within  twenty  (20) days after  written  notification  by
Contractor  pursuant to Article 27.3(a) provide a response and resolution of the
issues raised by Contractor.

27.4 SUBCONTRACTOR COOPERATION.

     Contractor  covenants that it will cooperate fully with all Subcontractors,
and  will  use  reasonable  efforts  to  ensure  the  full  cooperation  of  all
Subcontractors with ORION in order to achieve due performance of the Contract.

28.  GENERAL

28.1 EFFECTIVE DATE OF CONTRACT.

     The  effective  date of the Contract  ("EDC") shall be the date as of which
the  Contract  as been  duly  signed by both  Parties.  On the  Effective  Date,
Contractor will be paid the Initial Payment.

28.2 ASSIGNMENT.

     (a) This Contract shall be binding on the Parties and their  successors and
assigns.  Assignment of this Contract  shall not relieve the assigning  Party of
any of its  obligations nor confer upon the assigning Party any rights except as
provided in the Contract.

     (b) Contractor  shall not,  without the prior written approval of ORION and
except on such  terms and  conditions  as are  determined  in  writing by ORION,
assign,  mortgage,  charge or encumber the Contract or any part thereof,  any of
its rights, duties, or obligations hereunder,  the Work or any monies payable or
to become  payable  under the Contract,  to any person,  except to a parent or a
wholly-owned  direct or indirect  subsidiary  company of Contractor,  or for the
purpose of corporate merger, recapitalization or reconstruction.

     (c) ORION shall have the right to assign, mortgage,  charge or encumber its
rights,  duties or obligations  under the Contract to any entity,  including any
Financing Entity, subject to prior notice to Contractor.

28.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

     This Contract  contains the entire Agreement  between the Parties regarding
the Work hereunder and supersedes all  communications,  negotiations,  and other
agreements  either  written or oral,  relating to the Work and made prior to the
Effective  Date of the Contract  unless the same are expressly  incorporated  by
reference into the Contract.


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<PAGE>



28.4 AMENDMENTS.

     The  Contract,  including  Parts,  may not be  modified  except by  written
instrument  of  subsequent  date signed on behalf of ORION by its  President (or
another  person  designated by the President in writing to sign such  agreement)
and on behalf of Contractor by its Executive  Vice  President,  Business or Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer (or another person designated by either in
writing to sign such agreement)  which agreement  expressly states that it is an
"Amendment to the ORION-Z Contract."

28.5 WAIVER OF BREACH OF CONTRACT.

     A waiver of any breach of a provision of the Contract  shall not be binding
upon either Party unless the waiver is in writing,  signed by a duly  authorized
representative of the Party, as applicable, and such waiver shall not affect the
rights of the Party not in breach with respect to any other or future breach.

28.6 CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all remedies provided for in
the Contract shall be cumulative.

28.7 SEVERABILITY.

     In the event any one or more of the  provisions  of the Contract  shall for
any reason be held to be invalid or unenforceable,  the remaining  provisions of
the Contract  shall be  unimpaired  and the invalid or  unenforceable  provision
shall be deemed to be  restated to reflect as nearly as  possible  the  original
intention of the Parties in accordance with applicable law.

28.8 APPLICABLE LAW.

     Except as provided in Article 16.2(e),  the Contract and performance  under
it shall be governed by,  construed and enforced in accordance  with the laws in
force in the State of  Maryland,  U.S.A.,  without  regard to  conflict  of laws
provisions thereof.

28.9 NOTICES.

     (a) All notices,  requests,  demands, and determinations under the Contract
(other than routine operational  communications),  shall be in writing and shall
be deemed duly given (i) when  delivered by hand,  (ii) two (2) days after being
given to an express courier with a reliable system for tracking delivery,  (iii)
when sent by facsimile  confirmed by the specific  addressee with a copy sent by
another means specified in this Article 28.9, or (iv) six (6) days after the day
of mailing, when mailed by United States mail,  registered or certified,  return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed as follows:


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<PAGE>



                  ORION
                  2440 Research Boulevard
                  Suite 400
                  Rockville, Maryland 20850
                  United States of America
                  Attention:       Richard Shay, Esq.
                                   Sr. Vice President and General Counsel
                  Telephone No.:   301-258-8101
                  Facsimile No.:   301-258-3360
                  Attention:       Dr. Denis Curtin
                                   Senior Vice President
                  Telephone No.:   301-258-3210
                  Facsimile No.:   301-258-3330

                  SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL
                  3825 Fabian Way
                  Palo Alto, California  94303
                  Attention:       Linda Zumdahl, PS1
                                   Contract Manager
                  Telephone No.:   650-852-5482
                  Facsimile No.:   650-852-7508
                  Attention:       Josephine Stiles
                                   Program Manager
                  Telephone No.:   (650) 852-6728
                  Facsimile No.:   (650) 852-6686

     (b) A Party  may from time to time  change  its  address  or  designee  for
notification  purposes by giving the other Party prior notice of the new address
or designee and the date upon which it will be effective.

28.10 CONTRACTOR NOT AGENT.

     Contractor,  in performing the Work hereunder,  is acting as an independent
contractor,  and  Contractor  has the sole right and  obligation  to  supervise,
manage, contract, direct, procure, perform or cause to be performed, all Work to
be performed by  Contractor  under the Contract.  None of the  provisions of the
Contract, including any of its Parts, shall be construed to mean that Contractor
is appointed or is in any way authorized to act as an agent of ORION.

28.11 SURVIVAL.

     Any provision of the Contract  that can be reasonably  construed to survive
the expiration or termination of the Contract for any reason,  including Article
11 (Representations and



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<PAGE>



Warranties),  Article 12 (In-Orbit Performance Warranty and Incentive Payments),
Article 13  (Insurance),  and Article 15  (Indemnification)  shall  survive such
expiration or termination of the Contract.

28.12 RELEASE OF INFORMATION.

     (a) Release of Information.  Neither Contractor nor ORION, nor any of their
Associates,  contractors,  or  Subcontractors,  shall  release  or  publish  any
material (including articles, films, brochures, advertisements and photographs),
or  authorize  other  persons  to publish  such  material,  or deliver  speeches
(collectively,   "Release")  about  the  Work  that  is  marked  "Confidential",
"Proprietary", or with similar designation without the prior written approval of
the other  Party,  which  approval  shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld.  This
obligation  shall not  apply to (i)  ORION's  Release  of any sort  relating  to
ORION's  intellectual  property,  including  the  Technical  Specifications  and
Statement  of  Work,  and  may be  Released  as  ORION  so  determines,  or (ii)
information that is publicly  available from any governmental  agency or that is
or otherwise becomes publicly available without breach of this Agreement.

     (b) The  application  for  approval  to Release  material  required by this
Article 28.12 shall be submitted to the other Party in writing and shall include
full  particulars  of any intended  Release.  Upon receipt of the other  Party's
agreement in principle to the proposed  Release,  the applicant shall submit for
final  approval by the other Party any material to be in the form and context in
which it is intended to be used.  The other Party may then approve or decline to
approve  Release in whole or in part of the material and at its  discretion  may
specify a time for Release.

28.13 GOVERNMENT FILINGS.

     Notwithstanding  any other provision of the Contract,  Contractor and ORION
may make any public  release  or  filings  that  Contractor  or ORION  considers
advisable  or  necessary  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended,  the  rules  applicable  to the
National Market System, or the securities laws applicable to public companies in
the  United  States.  Prior to making  any such  filing  containing  proprietary
information  of the other Party,  the filing Party shall provide the other Party
reasonable  advance  notice of the filing and cooperate with such other Party in
obtaining confidential treatment for such proprietary information.  In addition,
if a Party desires for any  information to be contained  within such a filing to
be accorded confidential  treatment and not disclosed to the public, it shall so
indicate to the other Party and such other Party shall  cooperate with the first
Party in obtaining confidential treatment for such information.

28.14 IMPROPER PAYMENTS, KICKBACKS, GIFTS, AND GRATUITIES.

     Each Party agrees that in carrying out its  obligations  under the Contract
it will not make payments of any salary,  fee, commission or compensation of any
kind or the  granting of any



                                       73
<PAGE>



unlawful or improper gift or gratuity of any kind either directly or indirectly,
to any officer, employee, agent or representative of ORION.

28.15 COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

     (a) Subject to Article 19  (Permits,  Licenses and  Government  Approvals),
each Party shall, at its own expense,  comply with the  requirements of any laws
of any  place  in which  any part of the Work is to be done and with the  lawful
requirements of public,  municipal and other authorities in any way affecting or
applicable to any Work.

     (b) Subject to Article 19  (Permits,  Licenses and  Government  Approvals),
neither Party shall be  responsible in any way for the  consequences,  direct or
indirect,  of any  violation  by  the  other  Party  or  its  Subcontractors  or
Consultants,  or their officers,  employees,  agents or servants of any law of a
country in which the Work is performed, or of any country whatsoever.

28.16 FINANCING.

     The Parties  recognize that the Contract may be financed  through  external
sources.  Contractor agrees to work  cooperatively to negotiate and execute such
documents  as may be  reasonably  required to  implement  such  financing to the
extent it does not adversely affect Contractor's rights.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF the Contract  has been issued in two (2)  counterparts,
executed and sealed on behalf of ORION by persons authorized in that behalf, and
has also been executed and sealed on behalf of CONTRACTOR by persons  authorized
in that behalf.

SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC                      LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

BY:                                           BY:
   ----------------------------------------      -------------------------------

TITLE:  Executive Vice President, Business    TITLE:  Sr. Vice President
      -------------------------------------         ----------------------------

DATE:  May 15, 1998                           DATE:  May 15, 1998
     --------------------------------------        -----------------------------



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<PAGE>



                                  CONFIDENTIAL

                                     ANNEX A

                        MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE


                                     [Date]


Orion  Network Services, Inc.
2440 Research Boulevard
Suite 400 Rockville, Maryland 20850
United States of America

Attention: Al Ramos

RE:  ORION-Z Spacecraft Purchase Contract, dated as of May 15, 1998 (as amended,
     supplemented  or  modified  from  time to time,  the  "ORION-Z  Contract"),
     between Orion Network  Services,  Inc.  ("ORION") and Space  Systems/Loral,
     Inc. ("Contractor")

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Invoice is delivered to ORION pursuant to Article 5 of the ORION-Z Contract
and  constitutes  Contractor's  Invoice  for the amount of $[...] for  Milestone
Payment No. ____ and $[...] for ___________________________.

We hereby  certify that the above  Milestone  has been  Successfully  Completed,
Conducted,  or  Delivered  (as each term is  defined  in  Article  5.2(e) of the
ORION-Z Contract).

Very truly yours,

SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC.                 Agreed to on behalf of ORION:

By:                                       By:
   ---------------------------------         ---------------------------------

Name:                                     Name:
     -------------------------------           -------------------------------

Title:                                    Title:
      ------------------------------            ------------------------------

                                          Date:
                                               -------------------------------
<PAGE>




                                    PART 1(B)
                                PAYMENT SCHEDULE



            [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR THIS PART]


<PAGE>



                                    PART 1(B)
                              TERMINATION LIABILITY



            [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR THIS PART]

<PAGE>



                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

                                     ORION 2

                                STATEMENT OF WORK

                                    PART 2(A)

                               DATED: 11 MAY 1998




- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       i

    Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is subject to the
                         restriction on the title page.


<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SECTION                                                                                           PAGE
<S>                                                                                               <C>
1 --INTRODUCTION...................................................................................1-1
         1.1 SCOPE.................................................................................1-1
         1.2 RESPONSIBILITIES......................................................................1-1
         1.3 APPLICABLE PROGRAM DOCUMENTS..........................................................1-2
2 --EQUIPMENT, DOCUMENTATION, AND SERVICES.........................................................2-1
         2.1 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................2-1
         2.2 DELIVERABLE EQUIPMENT.................................................................2-1
                  2.2.1 Flight Spacecraft..........................................................2-1
                  2.2.2 Mission Specific Hardware and Software.....................................2-2
                  2.2.3 TT&C Simulator.............................................................2-2
                  2.2.4 Dynamic Software Simulator.................................................2-2
         2.3 DELIVERABLE DOCUMENTATION.............................................................2-2
         2.4 SERVICES..............................................................................2-3
                  2.4.1 Launch Support Services....................................................2-3
                  2.4.2 Launch Services............................................................2-3
                  2.4.3 Insurance..................................................................2-3
                  2.4.4 Mission Support Services...................................................2-3
                  2.4.5 Operations Training........................................................2-4
                  2.4.6 Post Acceptance In-Orbit Support...........................................2-4
         2.5 PURCHASER FURNISHED ITEMS FOR IOT.....................................................2-4
                  2.5.1 Equipment and Personnel....................................................2-4
                  2.5.2 Data.......................................................................2-5
3 --PROGRAM MANAGEMENT.............................................................................3-1
         3.1 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................3-1
                  3.1.1 Scope......................................................................3-1
                  3.1.2 Responsibilities...........................................................3-1
                  3.1.3 Program Management Plan....................................................3-1
         3.2 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT INTERFACE..........................................................3-2
         3.3 DOCUMENTATION AND DATA MANAGEMENT.....................................................3-2
                  3.3.1 General....................................................................3-2
                  3.3.2 Documentation Center.......................................................3-2
                  3.3.3 Data Management Plan.......................................................3-2
                  3.3.4 Documentation Submission Criteria..........................................3-2
                  3.3.5 Revision and Maintenance of Documentation..................................3-2
                  3.3.6 Monthly Documentation Status Report........................................3-3
         3.4 MEETINGS..............................................................................3-3
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                       <C>
                  3.4.1 Progress Meetings..........................................................3-3
                  3.4.2 Senior Management Meetings.................................................3-3
                  3.4.3 Quarterly Progress Meetings................................................3-3
                  3.4.4 Kick-Off Meeting...........................................................3-4
                  3.4.5 Agenda Coordination Procedure..............................................3-4
                  3.4.6 Minutes....................................................................3-4
                  3.4.7 System and Major Subsystems Integration and Test Weekly Meeting............3-4
                  3.4.8 Major Subcontractor Progress Meetings and Other Meetings....................-5
         3.5 REVIEWS...............................................................................3-5
                  3.5.1 Design Reviews.............................................................3-5
                            3.5.1.1 Review Chairperson and Review Board............................3-5
                            3.5.1.2 Review Notification............................................3-6
                            3.5.1.3 Data Packages..................................................3-6
                            3.5.1.4 Review Procedures..............................................3-6
                            3.5.1.5 Review Summary.................................................3-6
                            3.5.1.6 Review Completion..............................................3-6
                            3.5.1.7 Spacecraft System/Subsystem CDR................................3-6
                  3.5.2 System/Subsystem Test Reviews..............................................3-7
                  3.5.3 Preshipment Review.........................................................3-8
                  3.5.4 Design Review Documentation................................................3-8
                  3.5.5 Test Review Documentation..................................................3-8
         3.6 ACTION ITEM CONTROL...................................................................3-8
         3.7 MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACT CHANGES........................................................3-9
                  3.7.1 Change Classification......................................................3-9
                  3.7.2 Preliminary Change Assessment.............................................3-10
                  3.7.3 Change Request (CR).......................................................3-10
                  3.7.4 Contract Change Notice (CCN)..............................................3-10
                  3.7.5 Review and Approval of a Change...........................................3-11
                  3.7.6 Change Review Board.......................................................3-12
                  3.7.7 Implementation of a Change by the Contractor..............................3-12
                  3.7.8 Directed Changes..........................................................3-12
                  3.7.9 Go Ahead Procedure........................................................3-12
                  3.7.10 CR/CCN Log...............................................................3-13
         3.8 PROGRAM PLANNING AND STATUS INFORMATION..............................................3-14
                  3.8.1 Spacecraft Hardware Matrix................................................3-14
                  3.8.2 Qualification Status List.................................................3-14
                  3.8.3 Critical Items List.......................................................3-14
                  3.8.4 Program Schedules.........................................................3-14
                  3.8.5 Monthly Program Progress Report...........................................3-15
</TABLE>


                                      iii

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                      <C>
                  3.8.6 Executive Quarterly Summary...............................................3-16
         3.9 PROGRAM MONITORING AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.....................................3-16
                  3.9.1 ORION Representatives.....................................................3-16
                  3.9.2 Office Accommodation and Facilities.......................................3-16
                  3.9.3 Attendance at Meetings....................................................3-17
                  3.9.4 Access to Data and Documentation..........................................3-17
                  3.9.5 ORION Presence During Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Tests....3-17
                  3.9.6 Notification Requirements.................................................3-17
                  3.9.7 Material Review Board (MRB) and Failure Review Board (FRB)................3-18
4 --DESIGN ACTIVITIES..............................................................................4-1
         4.1 GENERAL...............................................................................4-1
         4.2 SYSTEM SPECIFICATION..................................................................4-1
         4.3 DESIGN REVIEWS........................................................................4-1
         4.4 DESIGN ANALYSES.......................................................................4-2
                  4.4.1 Analyses at Spacecraft System Level........................................4-2
                            4.4.1.1 Spacecraft Failure Analysis....................................4-3
                            4.4.1.2 Dynamic Analysis...............................................4-3
                            4.4.1.3 Antenna Pointing Error Analysis................................4-3
                            4.4.1.4 Propellant Budget Analysis.....................................4-4
                            4.4.1.5 Mass Properties Analysis.......................................4-5
                            4.4.1.6 Power Budget Analysis..........................................4-5
                            4.4.1.7 Mission Analysis...............................................4-5
                            4.4.1.8 Environmental Effects Analyses.................................4-6
                            4.4.1.9 Worst Case Performance Analysis................................4-7
                            4.4.1.10 Autonomous Commands Analysis..................................4-8
                  4.4.2 Subsystem Level Analyses...................................................4-8
                            4.4.2.1 Communications Subsystem Analyses..............................4-8
                            4.4.2.2 Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C)  Subsystem Analyses...4-11
                            4.4.2.3 Attitude and Dynamics Control Subsystem (ADCS)
                                         Analysis.................................................4-12
                            4.4.2.4 Propulsion Subsystem Analyses.................................4-13
                            4.4.2.5 Power Subsystem Analyses......................................4-13
                            4.4.2.6 Thermal Subsystem Analyses....................................4-15
                            4.4.2.7 Structure Analyses............................................4-15
5 --PRODUCT ASSURANCE..............................................................................5-1
         5.1 PRODUCT ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS........................................................5-1
         5.2 QUALITY ASSURANCE TASKS...............................................................5-1
6 --MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION AND TEST..................................................6-1
</TABLE>


                                       iv

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                       <C>
         6.1 GENERAL...............................................................................6-1
         6.2 TEST PLAN.............................................................................6-1
         6.3 TEST PROCEDURES, DATA, AND REPORTS....................................................6-2
                  6.3.1 Unit and Subsystem Level Test Procedures and Reports.......................6-2
                  6.3.2 Spacecraft Level Test Procedures and Reports...............................6-2
                  6.3.3 Test Data..................................................................6-2
                  6.3.4 Spacecraft Log Book........................................................6-3
         6.4 TEST REVIEWS..........................................................................6-3
         6.5 PRESHIPMENT REVIEW (PSR)..............................................................6-4
         6.6 FAILURE NOTIFICATION..................................................................6-4
         6.7 ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (EGSE/MGSE)........................6-4
         6.8 TEST EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS...........................................................6-5
         6.9 SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS.................................................................6-5
         6.10 DELIVERY  OF  DRAWINGS  AND  ENGINEERING   CONTROL  DOCUMENTS  FOR
              SPACECRAFT OPERATION AND IN ORBIT CONTROL............................................6-5
         6.11 SECURE COMMAND SYSTEM AND CERTIFICATION..............................................6-6
7 --LAUNCH AND MISSION SUPPORT SERVICES............................................................7-1
         7.1 SCOPE.................................................................................7-1
         7.2 LAUNCH VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY..........................................................7-1
         7.3 LAUNCH SUPPORT SERVICES...............................................................7-2
                  7.3.1 Spacecraft Preparation at the Launch Sites.................................7-2
                  7.3.2 Spacecraft Propellant and Pressurant.......................................7-2
                  7.3.3 Support of Meetings and Reviews............................................7-2
         7.4 SAFETY................................................................................7-3
         7.5 LAUNCH SERVICES.......................................................................7-3
         7.6 MISSION SUPPORT.......................................................................7-3
                  7.6.1 Scope......................................................................7-3
                  7.6.2 Mission Support Activities.................................................7-4
                            7.6.2.1 Preparation and Definition of Mission Support Documents........7-4
                            7.6.2.2 World-Wide Ground Segment......................................7-7
                            7.6.2.3 Mission Support Procedures and Sequence of Events..............7-7
                            7.6.2.4 Spacecraft/ORION SCF Compatibility.............................7-7
                            7.6.2.5 In Orbit Test Plan and Procedure...............................7-9
                            7.6.2.6 Mission Reviews................................................7-9
                            7.6.2.7 Spacecraft and Operations Training.............................7-9
                            7.6.2.8 Real-Time Mission Operations..................................7-10
                            7.6.2.9 Post-Mission Review...........................................7-11
                            7.6.2.10 In Orbit Testing and Test Report.............................7-11
                            7.6.2.11 Spacecraft Acceptance Review.................................7-11
</TABLE>


                                       v

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                      <C>
                            7.6.2.12 Post Acceptance Operational Support..........................7-12
         7.7 LAUNCH VEHICLE.......................................................................7-12
                  7.7.1 Launch vehicle Program Management.........................................7-12
                  7.7.2 Reviews...................................................................7-12
                            7.7.2.1 Mission Specific Critical Design Review (CDR).................7-12
                            7.7.2.2 System Review.................................................7-13
                            7.7.2.3 Launch Vehicle Quality Review.................................7-13
                            7.7.2.4 Launch Readiness Review.......................................7-13
                            7.7.2.5 Review Summary and Action Items...............................7-13
8 --SHIPPING AND STORAGE...........................................................................8-1
         8.1 SHIPPING, TRANSPORTATION, AND STORAGE PLAN............................................8-1
         8.2 SPACECRAFT SHIPMENT...................................................................8-1
         8.3 SPACECRAFT STORAGE....................................................................8-1
9 --MISSION SPECIFIC HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.........................................................9-1
         9.1 TT&C SIMULATOR........................................................................9-1
         9.2 PROPULSION MODEL......................................................................9-1
         9.3 PROPELLANT GAUGING....................................................................9-1
         9.4 SENSOR BLINDING PREDICTION MODEL......................................................9-1
         9.5 SATELLITE CONTROL FACILITY (SCF) UPGRADE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE.......................9-1
         9.6 DYNAMIC software SIMULATOR............................................................9-1
         9.7 SPACECRAFT SPECIFIC CONTROL AND MONITORING SOFTWARE...................................9-1

ANNEX A -- GROUND SYSTEM STATEMENT OF WORK
</TABLE>



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<PAGE>




                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.



                                     ORION 2

                                  GROUND SYSTEM

                             STATEMENT OF WORK ANNEX

                                PART 2(A) ANNEX A

                               DATED: 11 MAY 1998


- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       i


            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.

<PAGE>

                                    CONTENTS

SECTION                                                                     PAGE
1 --PURPOSE AND SCOPE........................................................1-1
2 --DESIGN OVERVIEW..........................................................2-1
         2.1 ROCKVILLE OVERVIEW..............................................2-1
         2.2 MT. JACKSON OVERVIEW............................................2-2
         2.3 HAWLEY OVERVIEW.................................................2-2
3 --DELIVERABLE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES.......................................3-1
         3.1  GROUND EQUIPMENT...............................................3-1
                  3.1.1 Design Activities....................................3-1
                  3.1.2 Design Reviews.......................................3-1
                  3.1.3 Ground Facilities Interface Coordination Meetings....3-2
                  3.1.4 Non-Impact to Existing Operations....................3-2
                  3.1.5 Acceptance Tests.....................................3-2
                  3.1.6 Site System Acceptance Test..........................3-2
                  3.1.7 Shipping and Installation............................3-3
                  3.1.8 Ground Equipment Documentation.......................3-3
                  3.1.9 Warranty.............................................3-3
                  3.1.10 Special Warranty....................................3-3
         3.2 DOCUMENTATION...................................................3-3
4 --CUSTOMER FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES................................4-1
         4.1 OVERALL CUSTOMER FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND SEVICES................4-1
                  4.1.1 Sites................................................4-1
                  4.1.2 Other Support Facilities Furnished By ORION..........4-1
                  4.1.3 Equipment Racks......................................4-1
                  4.1.4 Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS)..................4-1
                  4.1.5 AC power.............................................4-1
                  4.1.6 RF and Antenna.......................................4-1
                  4.1.7 Orbital Analysis and Orbit Determination.............4-2
                  4.1.8 Tracking Data Transfer for Orbit Raising and IOT.....4-2
                  4.1.9 ORION Network Responsibilities.......................4-2
                  4.1.10 ORION Control Center Responsibilities...............4-2
         4.2 MT. JACKSON REQUIREMENTS........................................4-2
         4.3 CUSTOMER FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AT HAWLEY..........................4-2
5 --DESIGN ACTIVITIES........................................................5-1
         5.1 DESIGN REVIEWS..................................................5-1
         5.2 DESIGN DOCUMENTATION............................................5-1

                                       ii

<PAGE>


6 --SERVICES.................................................................6-1
         6.1 GROUND TT&C SERVICES............................................6-1
                  6.2 Equipment Installation.................................6-1
                  6.1.2 Spacecraft Compatibility Test........................6-1
         6.2 TRAINING OF PERSONNEL...........................................6-1
                  6.2.1 Classroom Training...................................6-1
                  6.2.2 Hands-On Training....................................6-1
7 --GROUND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT................................................7-1
         7.1 GROUND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.......................................7-1
         7.2 PROGRAM REVIEWS.................................................7-1
                  7.2.1 Monthly Review.......................................7-1
                  7.2.2 Ground Progress Reports..............................7-1
8 --DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS...............................................8-1
9 --DELIVERY DATE............................................................9-1

                                  ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE                                                                      PAGE
2-1      Overview of ORION 2 System..........................................2-1
2-2      Rockville Facility..................................................2-2
2-3      Mt. Jackson Facility................................................2-3
2-4      Hawley Facility.....................................................2-4


                                     TABLES

TABLE                                                                       PAGE
3-1      Deliverable Ground Equipment........................................3-1
9-1      Ground Contract Documentation Requirement List (CDRL)...............9-2



                                       iii

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<PAGE>


                       LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.




                                    ORION 2

                CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS LIST (CDRL)

                                   PART 2(B)

                               DATED: 11 MAY 1998



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.

<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

SECTION                                                                     PAGE

PART 2(B) CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS LIST (CDRL)......................1

                                     TABLES

TABLE                                                                       PAGE

Table 1(a) Program Management Documentation....................................3
Table 1(b) Engineering Documentation...........................................4
Table 1(c) Test Documentation..................................................9
Table 1(d) Product Assurance Documentation....................................15




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                            THROUGH 18 OF THIS PART]



<PAGE>



                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.





                                     ORION 2

                 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR ORION 2 SPACECRAFT

                                    PART 3(A)


                               DATED: 11 MAY 1998




- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.


<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SECTION                                                                                                            PAGE
<S>                                                                                                                <C>
1 --INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1-1
         1.1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE......................................................................................1-1
         1.2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................1-1
2 --MISSION REQUIREMENTS............................................................................................2-1
         2.1 LIFE 2-1
                  2.1.0 Propellant Life.............................................................................2-1
                  2.1.1 Maneuver Life...............................................................................2-1
                  2.1.2 Orbital Life................................................................................2-1
         2.2 LAUNCH CONFIGURATION AND MASS..........................................................................2-2
         2.3 AIRBORNE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (ASE).......................................................................2-2
         2.4 SPACECRAFT RELIABILITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
                  REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................2-2
                  2.4.1 Piece Parts, Components and Subassemblies...................................................2-2
                  2.4.2 Parts Locations For Testing.................................................................2-4
         2.5 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................2-4
                  2.5.1 Reserved....................................................................................2-4
                  2.5.2 Reserved....................................................................................2-4
                  2.5.3 Mechanical Design Criteria for Units and Assemblies.........................................2-4
                  2.5.4 Thermal Design Criteria for Units and Assemblies............................................2-4
                  2.5.5 Design Criteria for Electronic Units and Onboard Software...................................2-5
                  2.5.6 Use of Connectors...........................................................................2-5
                  2.5.7 Spacecraft Testing Via the Telemetry System.................................................2-5
                  2.5.8 Hard-Line Connections for Communications and TT&C Subsystem Testing.........................2-6
                  2.5.9 Insulation of Conductors....................................................................2-6
                  2.5.10 Radiation Environment......................................................................2-6
                  2.5.11 Design Considerations Associated with Charging Phenomena...................................2-7
                  2.5.12 Zero-g Testing.............................................................................2-8
                  2.5.13 Operation Following Storage................................................................2-8
                  2.5.14 Launch Windows and Mission Profile Constraints.............................................2-8
                  2.5.15 Telemetry Transmitters Status During Launch................................................2-8
                  2.5.16 Helium Pressurant Venting (if applicable)..................................................2-9
                  2.5.17 Orbit Control Maneuvers....................................................................2-9
                  2.5.18 Operation in Inclined Orbit................................................................2-9
                  2.5.19 Attitude Control Failure Mode Recovery and Continued Operation.............................2-9
         2.6 DEFINITION OF COORDINATE AXES AND ATTITUDE ANGLES......................................................2-9
         2.7 ANTENNA BEAM POINTING ACCURACY........................................................................2-10
</TABLE>


                                       ii

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                <C>
3 --COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM.........................................................................................2-1
         3.1 GENERAL................................................................................................3-1
                  3.1.2 Conditions for Specification................................................................3-3
                  3.1.3  Primary Transmission Modes (For Information Only)..........................................3-3
         3.2 COVERAGE...............................................................................................3-5
                  3.2.1 Coverage Regions............................................................................3-5
         3.3 POLARIZATION..........................................................................................3-10
                  3.3.1 Receive Isolation and Discrimination.......................................................3-10
                  3.3.2 Cross-Polar Transmit Discrimination........................................................3-11
         3.4 CAPACITY..............................................................................................3-11
         3.5 FREQUENCY PLAN........................................................................................3-12
         3.6 COMMUNICATION SUBSYSTEM AND ANTENNA BEAM INTERCONNECTIVITY............................................3-12
                  3.6.1 Communications Subsystem Configuration.....................................................3-12
                  3.6.2 Interconnectivity..........................................................................3-14
         3.7 INPUT CHARACTERISTICS.................................................................................3-16
                  3.7.1 Receive Sensitivity (G/T)..................................................................3-16
                  3.7.2 Gain and Level Control.....................................................................3-16
                            3.7.2.1 Fixed Gain Mode................................................................3-16
                            3.7.2.2 Automatic Level Control Mode...................................................3-17
                  3.7.3 Saturation Flux Density (SFD)..............................................................3-18
                  3.7.4 Drive Conditions...........................................................................3-19
                            3.7.4.1 Overdrive Conditions...........................................................3-19
                            3.7.4.2 Pulsed Transient Response......................................................3-19
                  3.7.5 Receive Rejection..........................................................................3-20
                  3.7.6 Linearity of the Common Input Section......................................................3-20
                  3.7.7 Interference from Command Carrier..........................................................3-20
         3.8 OUTPUT CHARACTERISTICS................................................................................3-20
                  3.8.1 Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)..................................................3-20
                  3.8.2 Spurious Outputs...........................................................................3-23
                  3.8.3 Spurious Modulation........................................................................3-24
                  3.8.4 Passive Intermodulation....................................................................3-26
                  3.8.5 Multipaction...............................................................................3-26
         3.9 TRANSFER CHARACTERISTICS..............................................................................3-26
                  3.9.1 Gain Versus Frequency......................................................................3-26
                  3.9.2 Gain Slope.................................................................................3-26
                  3.9.3 Group Delay Versus Frequency...............................................................3-29
                  3.9.4 Group Delay Slope..........................................................................3-29
                  3.9.5 Group Delay Stability......................................................................3-29
</TABLE>


                                       iii

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                             <C>
                  3.9.6 Group Delay Ripple.........................................................................3-29
                  3.9.7 Phase Linearity and AM/PM Conversion Coefficient...........................................3-29
                  3.9.8 AM/PM Transfer Coefficient.................................................................3-31
                  3.9.9 Amplitude Linearity........................................................................3-32
                  3.9.10 Frequency Stability.......................................................................3-32
                  3.9.11 Out-Of-Band Response......................................................................3-33
         3.10 RESERVED.............................................................................................3-33
         3.11 TRAFFIC ROUTING......................................................................................3-33
         3.12 REDUNDANCY...........................................................................................3-33
         3.13 HIGH POWER AMPLIFIERS................................................................................3-34
                  3.13.1 Linearized TWTAs..........................................................................3-34
                  3.13.2 TWTA Auto-Restart Capability..............................................................3-34
         3.14 TT&C INTERFACE.......................................................................................3-34
                  3.14.1 Command Requirements......................................................................3-34
                  3.14.2 Telemetry Requirements....................................................................3-35
4 --TELEMETRY, TRACKING. AND COMMAND (TT&C).........................................................................4-1
         4.1 TELEMETRY..............................................................................................4-1
                  4.1.1 Functional Requirements.....................................................................4-1
                            4.1.1.1 Purpose.........................................................................4-1
                            4.1.1.2 Function........................................................................4-1
                            4.1.1.3 Operation.......................................................................4-2
                            4.1.1.4 Interaction with the Communications Subsystem...................................4-2
                            4.1.1.5 Redundancy......................................................................4-2
                            4.1.1.6 Interfaces......................................................................4-2
                            4.1.1.7 Accuracy........................................................................4-7
                            4.1.1.8 Data Channel Dynamic Range......................................................4-8
                            4.1.1.9 Spare Capacity..................................................................4-8
                  4.1.2 RF Parameters...............................................................................4-8
         4.2  COMMAND...............................................................................................4-9
                  4.2.1 Functional Requirements.....................................................................4-9
                            4.2.1.1 Purpose.........................................................................4-9
                            4.2.1.2 Function........................................................................4-9
                            4.2.1.3 Operation.......................................................................4-9
                            4.2.1.4 Isolation.......................................................................4-9
                            4.2.1.5 Redundancy.....................................................................4-10
                            4.2.1.6 Interfaces.....................................................................4-10
                            4.2.1.7 System Test Considerations.....................................................4-10
                            4.2.1.8 Spare Capacity.................................................................4-11
                  4.2.2 RF Parameters..............................................................................4-11
</TABLE>


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<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                             <C>
                  4.2.3 Baseband Characteristics...................................................................4-11
                            4.2.3.1 Error Prevention and Detection.................................................4-12
                            4.2.3.2 Command Security...............................................................4-13
                            4.2.3.3 Command Acceptance Probability.................................................4-13
         4.3 RANGING...............................................................................................4-13
                  4.3.1 Functional Requirement.....................................................................4-13
                            4.3.1.1 Purpose........................................................................4-13
                            4.3.1.2 Function.......................................................................4-14
                            4.3.13 Operation.......................................................................4-14
                            4.3.1.4 Isolation......................................................................4-14
                            4.3.1.5 Redundancy.....................................................................4-14
                  4.3.2 Performance Requirements...................................................................4-14
5 --ATTITUDE DYNAMICS CONTROL SUBSYSTEM (ADCS)......................................................................5-1
         5.1 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................................5-1
         5.2 SUBSYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN REQUIREMENTS..........................................................5-1
                  5.2.1 Attitude Determination......................................................................5-1
                            5.2.1.1 Orbit Raising...................................................................5-1
                            5.2.1.2 Synchronous Orbit...............................................................5-1
                  5.2.2 Attitude Control............................................................................5-2
                            5.2.2.1 Transfer to Geosynchronous Orbit and Initial Acquisition........................5-2
                            5.2.2.2 On Orbit Control................................................................5-2
                  5.2.3  Reacquisition..............................................................................5-2
                  5.2.4 Ground Control Command Capability...........................................................5-2
                  5.2.5 Control Safety Systems......................................................................5-3
                  5.2.6 Special Features............................................................................5-3
                            5.2.6.1 Antenna Pattern Measurement Capability..........................................5-3
                            5.2.6.2 Control Bias Capability.........................................................5-4
                            5.2.6.3 ADCS Switching..................................................................5-4
                            5.2.6.4 Control Electronics Fault Protection............................................5-4
                  5.2.7 Subsystem Configuration and Interfaces......................................................5-4
                            5.2.7.1 Redundancy......................................................................5-4
                            5.2.7.2 TT&C Interfaces.................................................................5-5
                            5.2.7.3 Propulsion Interfaces...........................................................5-5
6 --PROPULSION SUBSYSTEM............................................................................................6-1
         6.1 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................................6-1
         6.2 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................6-1
         6.3 REDUNDANCY.............................................................................................6-3
         6.4 MANEUVER LIFE AND PROPELLANT LOADING...................................................................6-3
                  6.4.1 General Requirements........................................................................6-3
</TABLE>


                                       v

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                             <C>
                  6.4.2 Propellant Budgeting Methodology............................................................6-4
                            6.4.2.1 Actual Hardware Performance Test Data...........................................6-4
                            6.4.2.2 Inefficiencies of Operation.....................................................6-4
                            6.4.2.3 Inflight Performance............................................................6-5
                            6.4.2.4 Specific Maneuver Requirements..................................................6-5
         6.5 TT&C INTERFACES........................................................................................6-5
7 --POWER SUBSYSTEM.................................................................................................7-1
         7.1 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................................7-1
         7.2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................7-1
         7.3 ENERGY GENERATION......................................................................................7-2
                  7.3.1 Solar Cells.................................................................................7-2
                  7.3.2 Power Output................................................................................7-2
                  7.3.3 Power Transfer Assembly.....................................................................7-2
         7.4 ENERGY STORAGE.........................................................................................7-3
                  7.4.1 Batteries...................................................................................7-3
                  7.4.2 Battery Charge Management...................................................................7-3
                  7.4.3 Cell Failure................................................................................7-4
                  7.4.4 Battery Removal and Storage.................................................................7-4
         7.5 POWER CONDITIONING AND CONTROL.........................................................................7-5
                  7.5.1 Bus Configuration...........................................................................7-5
                  7.5.2 Failure Modes and Shutdown Sequence.........................................................7-5
                  7.5.3 Bus Undervoltage and Overvoltage............................................................7-6
                  7.5.4 Interaction Between the Communications and Power Subsystems.................................7-6
         7.6 TT&C INTERFACES........................................................................................7-6
8 --THERMAL CONTROL SUBSYSTEM.......................................................................................8-1
         8.1 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................................8-1
         8.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS...............................................................................8-1
         8.3 SUBSYSTEM DESIGN REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................8-5
                  8.3.1 Junction Temperature........................................................................8-5
                  8.3.2 Instrumentation.............................................................................8-5
                  8.3.3 Materials...................................................................................8-6
                  8.3.4 Venting.....................................................................................8-6
                  8.3.5 Grounding...................................................................................8-6
                  8.3.6 Multi-Layer Insulating Blanket (MLI)........................................................8-6
                  8.3.7 Contamination Control.......................................................................8-7
         8.4 TT&C INTERFACES........................................................................................8-7
9 --STRUCTURE SUBSYSTEM.............................................................................................9-1
         9.1 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION.................................................................................9-1
         9.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS...............................................................................9-1
</TABLE>


                                       vi

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                                       <C>
         9.3 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................9-1
10 --MECHANISMS....................................................................................................10-1
         10.1 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS..................................................................................10-1
         10.2 TT&C INTERFACES......................................................................................10-2
11 --PYROTECHNIC AND ELECTRO EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.....................................................................11-1

                                  ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE                                                                                                             PAGE
Figure 3-1.  Illustration of Europe Coverage from 12(degree)West....................................................3-9
Figure 3-2.  Illustration of American Coverage at 12(degree)West...................................................3-10
Figure 3-3.  Frequency Plan........................................................................................3-14
Figure 3-4.  Spurious Frequency Modulation Limits..................................................................3-25
Figure 3-5.  Spurious Frequency Modulation Limits..................................................................3-25
Figure 3-6.  In-Band Gain Vs. Frequency Limits For Input Section...................................................3-27
Figure 3-7.  In-Band Gain Vs. Frequency Limits For Overall Transponder.............................................3-28
Figure 3-8.  Group Delay Vs. Frequency Limits For Input Section....................................................3-30
Figure 3-9.  Group Delay Vs. Frequency Limits For Overall Transponder..............................................3-31
Figure 8-1.  Temperature Margins for Internal Mainbody and Thermally Coupled........................................8-2
Figure 8-2.  Temperature Margins for Exterior Thermally Isolated Equipment..........................................8-3
</TABLE>




                                       vii

<PAGE>



                                     TABLES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE                                                                                                              PAGE
<S>   <C>                                                                                                          <C>
Table 2-1.  Estimated Probability of Survival.......................................................................2-2
Table 3-1.  Definition of Europe Coverage Zones.....................................................................3-6
Table 3-2.  Definition of American Coverage.........................................................................3-7
Table 3-3.  The Minimum Co-Polar Receive Isolations................................................................3-11
Table 3-4.  The Minimum Cross-Polar Receive Isolations.............................................................3-11
Table 3-5.  The Minimum Cross-Polar Discriminations (Transmit & Receive)...........................................3-11
Table 3-6.  Frequency Plan.........................................................................................3-13
Table 3-7.  Transponder Cconnectivity Matrix.......................................................................3-15
Table 3-8.  Minimum G/T Performance................................................................................3-17
Table 3-9.  Maximum Allowable G/T Variation........................................................................3-17
Table 3-10.  SFD Variation.........................................................................................3-18
Table 3-11.  Receive Rejection.....................................................................................3-20
Table 3-12.  Minimum EIRP Performance..............................................................................3-21
Table 3-13.  Key City List.........................................................................................3-22
Table 3-14.  EIRP Variation........................................................................................3-23
Table 3-15.  Spurious Output Levels................................................................................3-24
Table 3-16.  Maximum Gain Slope....................................................................................3-29
Table 3-17.  Group Delay Slope.....................................................................................3-31
Table 3-18.  Third Order Intermodulation Products..................................................................3-32
Table 3-19.  Noise Power Ratio*....................................................................................3-32
Table 3-20.  Out-Of-Band Response..................................................................................3-33
Table 4-1.  Accuracy Requirements...................................................................................4-8
</TABLE>


<PAGE>








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                           THROUGH 11-1 OF THIS PART]





<PAGE>




                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.




                                     ORION 2

                       RADIATION ENVIRONMENT SPECIFICATION

                                PART 3(A) ANNEX A



                               DATED: 11 MAY 1998



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.



<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

SECTION                                                                     PAGE

1        INTRODUCTION..........................................................1
2        SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT CONDITIONS..........................................2
         2.1      ELECTRONS....................................................2
         2.2      PROTONS......................................................4
         2.3      ALPHA PARTICLES..............................................6
         2.4      COSMIC RAY RADIATION.........................................6
         2.5      ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION........................................7
         2.6      PLASMA.......................................................9
         2.7      MICROMETEROIDS..............................................10
3        TRANSFER ORBIT CONDITIONS............................................11
         3.1      TRANSFER ORBIT ELECTRON FLUX VALUES.........................11
         3.2      TRANSFER ORBIT PROTON FLUX VALUES...........................11


                                  ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE                                                                      PAGE
3.1-1         Transfer Orbit Electron Flux....................................12
3.2-1         Transfer Orbit Proton Flux......................................13

                                     TABLES

TABLE                                                                       PAGE
2.1-1         Time - Averaged Integral Flux Spectrum...........................2
2.1-1a        Time-Averaged Integral Flux Spectrum  For Trapped Electrons
              (For Solar Array) (12 W).........................................3
2.2-1         Time Averaged Integral Flux Spectrum For Trapped Protons.........4
2.2-2         Proton Fluence (Including solar Flares) and Alpha Particles......5
2.2-3         Solar Flare Proton Models  To Use For Solar Array Designs........5
2.4-1         GCR Constants For GCR Energy Distribution........................6
2.4-2         Relative Abundance Of Cosmic Rays................................8
2.5-1         UV Spectrum......................................................9
2.7-1         Flux Of Penetrating Micrometeroids..............................10



<PAGE>







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                            THROUGH 13 OF THIS PART]







<PAGE>




                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.





                                     ORION 2

                    SPACECRAFT PRODUCT ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

                                    PART 3(B)



                               Dated: 11 May 1998




- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       i


            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.


<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                                                                 PAGE
<S>     <C>                                                                             <C>
1        INTRODUCTION....................................................................1-1
         1.1      SCOPE..................................................................1-1
         1.2      PRODUCT ASSURANCE OBJECTIVES...........................................1-1
2        PRODUCT ASSURANCE REQUIREMENTS..................................................2-1
         2.1      PRODUCT ASSURANCE PLAN.................................................2-1
         2.2      ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT............................................2-1
         2.3      REPORTING..............................................................2-1
         2.4      NON-CONFORMANCE........................................................2-2
         2.5      WAIVERS AND DEVIATIONS.................................................2-2
3        REVIEWS AND AUDITS..............................................................3-1
         3.1      MRBsAND FRBs...........................................................3-1
         3.2      MRB AND FRB DOCUMENTATION..............................................3-1
         3.3      PROGRAM AUDITS.........................................................3-2
         3.4      ORION RIGHT OF ACCESS..................................................3-2
4        SUBCONTRACTOR AND SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT...........................................4-1
         4.1      SUBCONTRACTOR/SUPPLIER PRODUCT ASSURANCE PLAN..........................4-1
         4.2      REQUIREMENTS...........................................................4-1
         4.3      REVIEWS AND CONTROLS...................................................4-1
5        RELIABILITY ASSURANCE...........................................................5-1
         5.1      RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT.................................................5-1
         5.2      PARTS DERATING AND STRESS ANALYSIS.....................................5-2
         5.3      FAILURE MODES, EFFECTS, AND CRITICALITY ANALYSES.......................5-2
         5.4      WORST-CASE ANALYSIS (WCA)..............................................5-2
         5.5      LIFETIME...............................................................5-3
         5.6      CRITICAL ITEMS CONTROL.................................................5-3
         5.7      RESERVED...............................................................5-4
         5.8      QUALIFICATION STATUS LIST REPORT (QSLR)................................5-4
6        QUALITY ASSURANCE...............................................................6-1
         6.1      QUALITY ASSURANCE......................................................6-1
         6.2      PROCUREMENT AND FABRICATION............................................6-1
         6.3      TEST AND INSPECTION....................................................6-1
         6.4      WORKMANSHIP STANDARDS..................................................6-2
         6.5      QUALITY RECORDS AND TRACEABILITY.......................................6-2
         6.6      NON-CONFORMANCE CONTROL................................................6-2
</TABLE>


                                       ii

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>     <C>                                                                             <C>
                  6.6.1     Non-Conformance Reporting....................................6-2
                  6.6.2     Non-Conformance/Failure Review and Disposition...............6-3
                  6.6.3     Failure Analysis and Corrective Action.......................6-3
                  6.6.4     Trend Analysis...............................................6-3
         6.7      QUALITY PROGRESS REPORTING.............................................6-3
7        PARTS PROCUREMENT...............................................................7-1
         7.1      PARTS PROCUREMENT AND CONTROL..........................................7-1
         7.2      ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES......................................7-1
         7.3      SELECTION AND APPLICATION..............................................7-1
         7.4      QUALITY PROVISIONS.....................................................7-2
         7.5      RADIATION..............................................................7-3
         7.6      TRACEABILITY...........................................................7-3
         7.7      HYBRIDS, BATTERY CELLS, TWTS, AND MAGNETICS............................7-3
         7.8      PARTS DOCUMENTATION....................................................7-3
8        MATERIALS AND PROCESSES.........................................................8-1
         8.1      MATERIALS AND PROCESS CONTROL..........................................8-1
         8.2      ORGANIZATION...........................................................8-1
         8.3      CRITICAL MATERIALS AND PROCESSES.......................................8-1
         8.4      MATERIALS AND PROCESS SELECTION........................................8-1
         8.5      MATERIALS AND PROCESS DOCUMENTATION....................................8-1
9        SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE......................................................9-1
         9.1      SOFTWARE QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN........................................9-1
         9.2      SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT...................................................9-1
         9.3      CONFIGURATION CONTROL..................................................9-1
         9.4      VERIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE TESTING....................................9-1
         9.5      NON-CONFORMANCE CONTROL................................................9-2
10       CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT.......................................................10-1
         10.1     CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT..............................................10-1
         10.2     CONFIGURATION IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL..............................10-1
         10.3     CHANGE CONTROL........................................................10-2
         10.4     CONFIGURATION VERIFICATION............................................10-2
         10.5     CONFIGURATION STATUS ACCOUNTING AND
                  DOCUMENTATION.........................................................10-2
11       SAFETY.........................................................................11-1
         11.1     SYSTEM SAFETY.........................................................11-1
         11.2     HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS..................................................11-1
         11.3     SAFETY AND HAZARD ANALYSES............................................11-1
</TABLE>


                                      iii

<PAGE>







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                           THROUGH 11-1 OF THIS PART]







<PAGE>


                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS INC.





                                     ORION 2

                              SPACECRAFT ON-GROUND

                                TEST REQUIREMENTS

                                    PART 3(C)



                               Dated: 11 May 1998




- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                                                                                            PAGE
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
1 --INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1-1
2 --GENERAL COMMENTS................................................................................................2-1
         2.1 TEST PHILOSOPHY........................................................................................2-1
         2.2 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................2-1
         2.3 GENERAL TEST REQUIREMENTS..............................................................................2-2
                  2.3.1 Basic Requirements..........................................................................2-2
                  2.3.2 Test Equipment and Test Facility Requirements...............................................2-4
                  2.3.3 Zero-G Testing..............................................................................2-4
                  2.3.4 Acceptance Tests............................................................................2-4
                  2.3.5 Protoflight Tests...........................................................................2-5
                  2.3.6 Qualification Tests.........................................................................2-5
         2.4 WITNESSING OF TESTS....................................................................................2-6
         2.5 UNIT/SUBSYSTEM/SYSTEM TEST DATA........................................................................2-6
         2.6 SUBSYSTEM/SYSTEM TEST REVIEWS..........................................................................2-7
         2.7 DOCUMENTATION..........................................................................................2-7
         2.8 ORGANIZATION...........................................................................................2-7
3 --UNIT, SUBSYSTEM AND SPACECRAFT TEST PROGRAM.....................................................................3-1
         3.1 EQUIPMENT CATEGORIZATION...............................................................................3-1
         3.2 TEST PROGRAM OVERVIEW..................................................................................3-2
4 --PROTOFLIGHT TESTS...............................................................................................4-1
         4.1 UNIT PROTOFLIGHT TESTS.................................................................................4-1
         4.2 SUBSYSTEM PROTOFLIGHT TESTS............................................................................4-7
                  4.2.1 Repeater Subsystem..........................................................................4-7
                  4.2.2 Antenna Subsystem...........................................................................4-7
                  4.2.3 Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) Subsystem..........................................4-10
                  4.2.4 ADCS Subsystem Protoflight Test............................................................4-10
                            4.2.4.1 ADCS SCE In-the-Loop Test......................................................4-10
                            4.2.4.2 ADCS Servo Table Test (Already Completed)......................................4-11
                  4.2.5 Propulsion Subsystem.......................................................................4-11
                  4.2.6 Power Subsystem............................................................................4-12
                            4.2.6.1 Solar Array....................................................................4-12
                            4.2.6.2 Battery Assembly...............................................................4-12
                  4.2.7 Structure Subsystem Protoflight Test.......................................................4-13
                  4.2.8 Thermal Subsystem Protoflight Test.........................................................4-13
         4.3 SPACECRAFT PROTOFLIGHT TEST...........................................................................4-14
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                                                             <C>
                  4.3.1 Integration Tests..........................................................................4-14
                  4.3.2 Initial Reference Performance Test.........................................................4-14
                  4.3.3 Thermal Balance/Thermal Vacuum Test........................................................4-16
                  4.3.4 Spacecraft Alignments......................................................................4-20
                  4.3.5 Sinusoidal Vibration.......................................................................4-20
                  4.3.6 Acoustic Vibration Test....................................................................4-21
                  4.3.7 Shock and Deployment Tests.................................................................4-21
                  4.3.8 Spacecraft Mass Properties Measurements....................................................4-21
                  4.3.9 Final Performance Testing..................................................................4-22
                  4.3.10 RF Range Test.............................................................................4-22
                  4.3.11 Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Test.................................................4-23
5 --FLIGHT ACCEPTANCE TESTS.........................................................................................5-1
         5.1 UNIT ACCEPTANCE TESTS..................................................................................5-1
                  5.1.1 Power Handling and Passive Intermodulation (PIM)............................................5-2
                  5.1.2 Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers Burn-In......................................................5-2
         5.2 SUBSYSTEM  ACCEPTANCE TESTS............................................................................5-3
                  5.2.1 Antenna Subsystem...........................................................................5-3
                  5.2.2 ADCS........................................................................................5-4
                  5.2.3 Power Subsystem.............................................................................5-4
                  5.2.4 Structure Subsystem Acceptance Tests........................................................5-4
                  5.2.5 Thermal Subsystem...........................................................................5-4
                  5.2.6 Spacecraft  Harness.........................................................................5-4
         5.3 SPACECRAFT ACCEPTANCE TEST.............................................................................5-4
6 --LIFE TESTS......................................................................................................6-1
7 --DEVELOPMENT AND QUALIFICATION TEST..............................................................................7-1
         7.1 COMMUNICATIONS SUBSYSTEM TESTS.........................................................................7-1
                  7.1.1 Antenna Unit and Subsystem Test.............................................................7-1
                  7.1.2 Thermal Distortion..........................................................................7-1
                  7.1.3 Repeater Tests..............................................................................7-2
         7.2 STRUCTURE SUBSYSTEM QUALIFICATION TESTS................................................................7-2
         7.3 ATTITUDE DETERMINATION AND CONTROL SUBSYSTEM (ADCS) QUALIFICATION TESTS................................7-2
         7.4 PROPULSION SUBSYSTEM QUALIFICATION TESTS...............................................................7-2
                  7.4.1 General.....................................................................................7-2
                  7.4.2 Thrusters...................................................................................7-3
                  7.4.3 Main Spacecraft Thruster....................................................................7-3
                  7.4.4 Propellant Tanks............................................................................7-3
         7.5 THERMAL SUBSYSTEM QUALIFICATION TESTING................................................................7-3
         7.6 MECHANISMS.............................................................................................7-3
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                <C>
8 --INTERFACE COMPATIBILITY TEST....................................................................................8-1
         8.1 GROUND CONTROL SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY....................................................................8-1
         8.2 LAUNCH VEHICLE COMPATIBILITY...........................................................................8-1
9 --LAUNCH PREPARATION TEST.........................................................................................9-1
         9.1 GENERAL................................................................................................9-1
         9.2 LAUNCH BASE SPACECRAFT FUNCTIONAL TESTS (IN PPF).......................................................9-1
         9.3 SPACECRAFT-LAUNCH VEHICLE COMBINED OPERATIONS..........................................................9-2
         9.4 LAUNCH COMPLEX OPERATIONS..............................................................................9-2
10 -- COMPLIANCE MATRIX............................................................................................10-1
11 --PAYLOAD TEST CONFIGURATION MATRICES REQUIREMENT...............................................................11-1
         11.1 INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................11-1
         11.2 OVERALL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................11-1
                  11.2.1 Payload Panel.............................................................................11-1
                  11.2.2 Spacecraft Level..........................................................................11-1
                  11.2.3 RF Link Calibrations......................................................................11-2
                  11.2.4 Performance Parameters....................................................................11-2
         11.3 ANTENNA TEST CONFIGURATIONS..........................................................................11-3
                  11.3.1 Unit/Subsystem Level......................................................................11-3
                  11.3.2 Spacecraft Level..........................................................................11-4

                                  ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE                                                                                                             PAGE
3-1           ORION 2 Protoflight Spacecraft Assembly, Integration and Test Flow....................................3-8
4-1           ORION 2 Antenna Subsystem Test Flow...................................................................4-9
4-2           Temperature Profile during Spacecraft Level Thermal Vacuum Testing...................................4-17

                                     TABLES

TABLE                                                                                                              PAGE
3-1           Unit Qualification Matrix.............................................................................3-3
6-1           Unit Life Test/Orbit Life Comparison..................................................................6-2
10-1          Compliance Matrix....................................................................................10-2
10-2          System Test Matrix..................................................................................10-15
10-3          Test Procedure......................................................................................10-20
10-4          Mechanical Test Decriptions........................................................................10-29a
</TABLE>



<PAGE>






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                           THROUGH 11-4 OF THIS PART]




<PAGE>


                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.



                                     ORION 2

                           IN-ORBIT COMMISSIONING AND

                          ACCEPTANCE TEST REQUIREMENTS

                                    PART 3(D)



                               Dated: 11 May 1998


- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.


<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                                                                                            PAGE
<S>                                                                                                                  <C>
1 --SCOPE.............................................................................................................i
2 --DEFINITIONS.......................................................................................................1
3 --INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................2
4 --COMMISSIONING.....................................................................................................4
         4.1 COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES.................................................................................4
         4.2 DOCUMENTATION............................................................................................5
5 --ACCEPTANCE TESTING................................................................................................6
         5.1 AGGREGATE PREDICTED TRANSPONDER LIFE.....................................................................6
         5.2 TRANSPONDER ACCEPTANCE TESTS.............................................................................7
         5.3 DETERMINATION OF OTHER SPACECRAFT PARAMETERS............................................................10
                  5.3.1 Battery Capacity.............................................................................10
                  5.3.2 Predicted Propellant Life....................................................................11
                  5.3.3 Solar Array Power............................................................................11
         5.4 DOCUMENTATION...........................................................................................13
                  5.4.1 In-Orbit Acceptance Test Plan................................................................13
                  5.4.2 In-Orbit Facility Definition Document........................................................13
                  5.4.3 In-Orbit Acceptance Test Procedure...........................................................14
                  5.4.4 In-Orbit Acceptance Test Report..............................................................14
                  5.4.5 Spacecraft In-Orbit Configuration............................................................15
6 --POST-ACCEPTANCE TRANSPONDER TESTING..............................................................................16
ANNEX A     COMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES.................................................................................17
ANNEX B      TRANSPONDER PERFORMANCE TESTS...........................................................................22

                                  ILLUSTRATIONS

FIGURE                                                                                                             PAGE
5-1           Illustration of the Assessment of the Aggregate  Predicted Transponder Life.............................7
5-2           Illustration of the variation in the number of operating  Transponders which the available array
              power will support.....................................................................................12

                                     TABLES

TABLE                                                                                                              PAGE
5-1           Transponder Acceptance Test Program.....................................................................9
6-1           Post Acceptance Transponder Test Program...............................................................16
A-1           Primary Transponder Commissioning Tests................................................................18
A-2           Platform Commissioning Activities......................................................................19
</TABLE>



<PAGE>








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                            THROUGH 24 OF THIS PART]







<PAGE>



                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.


                                     ORION 2

                   DYNAMIC SPACECRAFT SIMULATOR SPECIFICATION

                                    PART 3(E)




                               DATED: 11 MAY 1998



- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.


<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

SECTION                                                                     PAGE
1 --DYNAMIC SPACECRAFT SIMULATOR GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS.....................1-1
2 --REAL-TIME SIMULATION COMPUTER AND PERIPHERALS............................2-1
3 --GROUND STATION INTERFACE.................................................3-1
4 --SIMULATOR MODELING.......................................................4-1
         4.1 ADCS PROCESSOR EMULATION........................................4-1
         4.2 ATTITUDE DYNAMIC MODELING.......................................4-1
         4.3 PROPULSION MODEL................................................4-2
         4.4 T&C SUBSYSTEM MODEL.............................................4-2
                  4.4.1 Caribou Decryptor Modeling...........................4-3
         4.5 ORBIT & EPHEMERIS MODEL.........................................4-3
         4.6 EMULATION OF THE SECOND SPACECRAFT SCE PROCESSOR................4-4
         4.7 DYNAMIC POWER MODEL.............................................4-4
         4.8 DYNAMIC THERMAL MODEL...........................................4-4
         4.9 COMMUNICATIONS PAYLOAD MODEL....................................4-5
         4.10 FAILURE MODELS.................................................4-5
5 --FAST MODE SIMULATION.....................................................5-1
6 --SIMULATOR USER INTERFACE.................................................6-1
7 --POST-PROCESSING PLOTTING.................................................7-1
8 --DESIGN REVIEWS...........................................................8-1
9 --SIMULATOR TEST AND VALIDATION............................................9-1
10 --DOCUMENTATION..........................................................10-1
11 --DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION..............................................11-1
12 --TRAINING...............................................................12-1
13 --WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE.................................................13-1


<PAGE>







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<PAGE>

================================================================================
SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL                                                  DOC CODE SE
3825 Fabian Way                                        Specification No. E191269
Palo Alto, California 94303-4697                                    Revision N/C
CAGE ODJH2



                                   PART 3 (F)
                       ORION 2 SPACECRAFT SCF AND SOFTWARE
                           REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATION



                          LORAL PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

This data is being furnished  pursuant to the provisions of the ORION 2 Purchase
Contract.  ORION shall have the right to duplicate,  use or disclose the data to
the extent specified in the Purchase Contract.

================================================================================
PROGRAM                                    PRIME CONTRACT NUMBER

ORION 2

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TCR SIMULATOR ENGINEER                     TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Kam Wong                                   James Marshburn

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROUND SYSTEM ENGINEER                     PROGRAM OFFICE

Howard Silsdorf                            Jo Stiles

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROUND SYSTEMS HW SUPERVISOR               PRODUCT ASSURANCE

Joe Hauser                                 Thuy Thi Do

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROUND SYSTEM ENG. MGR                     RELEASE

Rich Yarrington                            DATE
                                                                  Page 1  of  77
================================================================================


                                      1-i

<PAGE>



                             DOCUMENT CHANGE RECORD

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       NUMBER
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                                      1-ii

<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                                                                                PAGE
<S>     <C>                                                                                            <C>
1        SCOPE..........................................................................................1-1
         1.1      STANDARDS.............................................................................1-1
2        APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS...........................................................................2-1
         2.1      DATA TRANSMISSION STANDARD............................................................2-1
         2.2      SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL DOCUMENTS.........................................................2-1
         2.3      TIME GENERATION AND FREQUENCY REFERENCING STANDARDS...................................2-1
         2.4      PROTOCOLS.............................................................................2-1
3        TELEMETRY & COMMAND SIMULATOR..................................................................3-1
         3.1      SECTION SCOPE.........................................................................3-1
         3.2      REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................3-1
                  3.2.1     Functional Requirements.....................................................3-1
                            3.2.1.1      General Telemetry Simulation Functions.........................3-3
                            3.2.1.2      System Functions...............................................3-5
                  3.2.2     Interface Requirements......................................................3-5
                            3.2.2.1      General User Interface Requirements............................3-5
                            3.2.2.2      Information Organization Requirements..........................3-6
                            3.2.2.3      General Remote Interface Requirements.........................3-18
                            3.2.2.4      Local Area Network Interface Requirements.....................3-19
                            3.2.2.5      Signal Interface Requirements.................................3-19
         3.3      CHARACTERISTICS......................................................................3-20
                  3.3.1     Performance Requirements...................................................3-20
                            3.3.1.1      IF Command and Ranging Requirements...........................3-20
                            3.3.1.2      IF Telemetry and Ranging Requirements.........................3-21
                            3.3.1.3      Baseband Telemetry Requirements...............................3-22
                            3.3.1.4      Command Decryptor Interface Requirements......................3-22
                            3.3.1.5      Ethernet Requirements.........................................3-23
                            3.3.1.6      Power Requirements............................................3-23
                  3.3.2     Physical Requirements......................................................3-24
                  3.3.3     Reliability................................................................3-24
                  3.3.4     Maintainability............................................................3-24
                  3.3.5     Environmental Characteristics..............................................3-24
                  3.3.6     Transportability...........................................................3-24
         3.4      DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION..............................................................3-24
                  3.4.1     Parts, Materials, and Processes............................................3-24
                  3.4.2     Electrical Design..........................................................3-25
                  3.4.3     Mechanical Design..........................................................3-25
</TABLE>

                                     1-iii

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<S>     <C>                                                                                            <C>
                  3.4.4     Workmanship................................................................3-25
                  3.4.5     Safety.....................................................................3-26
                  3.4.6     Interchangability..........................................................3-26
                  3.4.7     Human Engineering..........................................................3-26
         3.5      DOCUMENTATION........................................................................3-27
                  3.5.1     Drawings...................................................................3-27
                  3.5.2     Technical Manuals..........................................................3-27
                  3.5.3     Firmware Documentation.....................................................3-27
                  3.5.4     Operational Support Documentation..........................................3-27
4        BASEBAND SUBSYSTEM.............................................................................4-1
         4.1      EQUIPMENT OVERVIEW....................................................................4-1
         4.2      PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS............................................................4-1
                  4.2.1     TCRU........................................................................4-1
                            4.2.1.1      Downlink PM Signal Reception...................................4-2
                            4.2.1.2      Uplink Signal Generation.......................................4-2
                            4.2.1.3      Normal Telemetry Processing....................................4-4
                            4.2.1.4      Dwell Telemetry Stream Processing..............................4-5
                            4.2.1.5      Satellite Telecommanding.......................................4-5
                            4.2.1.6      Satellite Ranging..............................................4-7
                            4.2.1.7      Telemetry Simulation...........................................4-7
                  4.2.2     Interfaces to the RF/Antenna Subsystem......................................4-9
                  4.2.3     Interfaces with the SCC.....................................................4-9
                  4.2.4     TCRU Maintainability........................................................4-9
                  4.2.5     GPS Receiver and Time Code Generator........................................4-9
                  4.2.6     Maintainability.............................................................4-9
         4.3      ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS..........................................................4-9
                  4.3.1     Operating Temperature.......................................................4-9
                  4-4.3.2   Humidity....................................................................4-9
         4.4      POWER REQUIREMENTS....................................................................4-9
5        ORION 2 COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM AUGMENTATION (CCSA).........................................4-1
         5.1      CCSA OVERVIEW.........................................................................5-1
         5.2      TELEMETRY REQUIREMENTS................................................................5-1
                  5.2.1     Telemetry Overview..........................................................5-1
                  5.2.2     Telemetry Reception.........................................................5-1
                  5.2.3     Raw Telemetry Archiving and Retrieval.......................................5-2
                            5.2.3.1      Rockville......................................................5-2
                            5.2.3.2      Mt. Jackson....................................................5-2
                            5.2.3.3      Hawley.........................................................5-3
                  5.2.4     Summary Data Archival.......................................................5-3
</TABLE>

                                      1-iv


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>     <C>                                                                                            <C>
                  5.2.5     Telemetry Data Conversion...................................................5-3
                  5.2.6     Pseudo PIDS.................................................................5-4
                  5.2.7     Data Export.................................................................5-4
         5.3      COMMANDING............................................................................5-4
                  5.3.1     Automated Command Procedures................................................5-4
                  5.3.2     Command Execution...........................................................5-4
         5.4      RANGING...............................................................................5-5
         5.5      GROUND MONITOR AND CONTROL (M&C)......................................................5-5
         5.6      DYNAMIC SATELLITE SIMULATOR (DSS) INTERFACE...........................................5-6
         5.7      CCSA USER INTERFACE PRESENTATION......................................................5-6
         5.8      PRESENTATION FUNCTIONS................................................................5-6
                  5.8.1     Multi-window monitor displays...............................................5-6
                  5.8.2     Printing Function...........................................................5-7
6        VERIFICATION OF REQUIREMENTS...................................................................6-1
         6.1      FACTORY ACCEPTANCE TEST...............................................................6-1
         6.2      SS/L ACCEPTANCE TEST..................................................................6-1
7        QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS...................................................................7-1
         7.1      GENERAL...............................................................................7-1
         7.2      TEST READINESS REVIEW.................................................................7-1
         7.3      TEST NOTIFICATION.....................................................................7-1
         7.4      ADJUSTMENT AND/OR REPAIR..............................................................7-1
         7.5      CHANGES TO TEST PROCEDURES............................................................7-1
                  7.5.1     Authority...................................................................7-1
         7.6      NON-CONFORMANCE REPORTING.............................................................7-2
                  7.6.1     Test Failures...............................................................7-2
                  7.6.2     Test Failure Definition.....................................................7-2
                  7.6.3     Test Failure Procedures.....................................................7-2
         7.7      TEST ACCEPTANCE.......................................................................7-3
                  7.7.1     Engineering Review..........................................................7-3
                  7.7.2     Product Assurance Review....................................................7-3
         7.8      DISPOSITION OF TEST DATA..............................................................7-3
8        PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY.......................................................................8-1
9 --     ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS LIST................................................................9-1
</TABLE>

                                      1-v

<PAGE>








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<PAGE>


                        LORAL ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.



                                     ORION 2

                             SATELLITE STORAGE PLAN

                                     PART 5



                               Dated: 11 May 1998





- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This document contains data and information  proprietary to Space Systems/Loral.
This data shall not be disclosed,  disseminated,  or reproduced,  in whole or in
part, without the express prior written consent of Space Systems/Loral.
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


            Use or disclosure of the data contained on this sheet is
                  subject to the restriction on the title page.


<PAGE>



                                    CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                                                                        PAGE
<S>     <C>                                                                                    <C>
1        STORAGE AND POST-STORAGE PLAN..........................................................1-1
         1.1      GENERAL REQUIREMENTS..........................................................1-1
         1.2      ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS......................................................1-1
         1.3      ACCESS CONTROL................................................................1-2
         1.4      MONITORING....................................................................1-2
         1.5      DOCUMENTATION.................................................................1-2
2        FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT...............................................................2-1
         2.1      FACILITIES....................................................................2-1
         2.2      STORAGE EQUIPMENT.............................................................2-1
3        STORAGE OPERATIONS.....................................................................3-1
         3.1      SATELLITE CONFIGURATION FOR STORAGE...........................................3-1
         3.2      SATELLITE PREPARATION FOR SHORT-TERM STORAGE..................................3-2
         3.3      SATELLITE PREPARATION FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE...................................3-2
                  3.3.1     Satellite Preparation...............................................3-2
                  3.3.2     Storage Container Preparation.......................................3-2
                  3.3.3     Satellite Installation into Protective Cover........................3-2
                  3.3.4     Final Storage Preparation...........................................3-2
         3.4      SATELLITE MONITORING..........................................................3-3
         3.5      FLIGHT BATTERY STORAGE........................................................3-3
         3.6      SOLAR ARRAY STORAGE...........................................................3-3
         3.7      GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT......................................................3-3
4        POST-STORAGE OPERATIONS................................................................4-1
         4.1      CALLUP SCHEDULE...............................................................4-1
         4.2      UNIT PREPARATION..............................................................4-1
         4.3      SATELLITE PREPARATION.........................................................4-2
         4.4      SATELLITE INTEGRATION AND TEST ACTIVITY.......................................4-2
                  4.4.1     One Month to Six Months Satellite Post Storage Operations...........4-2
                  4.4.2     Greater Than Six Months Satellite Post Storage Operations...........4-2

                                     TABLES

TABLE                                                                                          PAGE
1             Storage Facilities................................................................1-1
2             Storage Monitoring Matrix.........................................................2-1
</TABLE>


<PAGE>







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<PAGE>
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
                      ORION-Z SPACECRAFT PURCHASE CONTRACT
                                     BETWEEN
                         LORAL ORION SERVICES, INC. AND
                            SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC.

     THIS  AMENDMENT  No. 1 to the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  Purchase  Contract  (the
"Amendment")  effective  this 29th day of December,  1998,  by and between Loral
Orion Services, Inc. (formerly known as Loral Orion Network Services,  Inc."), a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware,  U.S.A. ("ORION")
and Space  Systems/Loral,  Inc., a corporation  organized and existing under the
laws of Delaware, U.S.A. ("Contractor").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS,  the Parties entered into the ORION-Z Spacecraft Purchase Contract
dated May 15, 1998 (the  "Contract"),  for  Contractor's  in-orbit  provision to
ORION of the ORION-Z Spacecraft  consisting of thirty-either (38) 54 MHz Ku-band
transponders; and

     WHEREAS, ORION and Contractor have agreed to increase the Contract Price as
set forth herein for the scope of work described in the Contract;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing,  the covenants,  and
agreements  set forth  herein  and  intending  to be  legally  bound,  ORION and
Contractor agree to amend the Agreement as follows:

1. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have
the meanings given those terms in the Contract.

2. Paragraph 4.2, Contract Price. The Contract Price for the ORION-Z  Spacecraft
delivered  in-orbit  (including cost of Ariane 44LP Launch  Vehicle,  any Launch
Services, Data and Documentation, Operations Training, Mission Specific Hardware
and  Software,  and the  Dynamic  Software  Simulator)  shall  be  increased  by
Fifty-Eight Million Seven Hundred Eighty One Thousand Dollars ($58,781,000) (the
"Contract  Price  Increase") to a total Contract  Price of Two Hundred  Fourteen
Million Three Hundred Eleven Thousand Dollars ($214,311,000).  The Parties agree
to negotiate in good faith a reasonable  payment schedule for the Contract Price
Increase,  the terms of which will thereafter be  incorporated,  as appropriate,
into a revised Part 1(B), Payment Schedule and Part 1(C), Termination Liability.

3.  ORION and  Contractor  have  participated  jointly  in the  negotiation  and
drafting  of  this  Amendment.   If  an  ambiguity  or  question  of  intent  or
interpretation  arises,  this Amendment shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by both Parties and no  presumption  or burden of proof shall arise  favoring or
disfavoring either Party because of the authorship


<PAGE>



of any of the  provisions of this  Amendment.  Any reference to any law shall be
deemed also to refer to all rules,  regulations,  orders or decrees  promulgated
thereunder,  unless the context requires  otherwise.  The word "including" shall
mean including without limitation.  Each  representation,  warranty and covenant
contained herein shall have independent  significance.  If either Party breaches
in any respect  any  representation,  warranty,  covenant,  or other  obligation
contained  herein  or  created  hereby,  the  fact  that  there  exists  another
representation,  warranty,  covenant, or obligation relating to the same subject
matter  (regardless of the relative  levels of  specificity)  which has not been
breached  shall detract from or mitigate the  consequences  of such breach.  The
Parts specified in this Amendment are incorporated  herein by reference and made
a part hereof.

4. Except as amended  herein,  the  Contract and any prior  amendments  thereto,
shall remain in full force and effect in all respects, including but not limited
to price, delivery, schedule, and performance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  ORION and Contractor have each duly executed this Amendment
No. 1 to the ORION-Z  Spacecraft  Purchase Contract as of the day and year first
written above.

LORAL ORION SERIVCE, INC.                    SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL, INC.

By: /s/ Denis J. Curtin                      By: /s/ R.O. Hel
   ----------------------------                 ----------------------------

Date: 1/27/99                                Date:    1/11/99
     --------------------------                   --------------------------





                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18


                                AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                           LORAL ORION SERVICES, INC.

                                       AND

                           LORAL SPACECOM CORPORATION

                        CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

                  This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its final
signature by and between Loral Orion Services, Inc., a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its primary place of
business at 2440 Research Boulevard, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850 (hereinafter
referred to as "LORAL ORION" which  expression  shall include its successors and
permitted assigns) and Loral SpaceCom  Corporation,  a corporation organized and
existing  under  the  laws of the  State of  Delaware  doing  business  as Loral
Skynet(R) 2 and having a place of business at 500 Hills Drive,  Bedminster,  New
Jersey 07921 (hereinafter referred to as "SKYNET" which expression shall include
its successors and permitted assigns).

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, SKYNET and LORAL ORION are both subsidiaries of Loral
Space & Communications Corporation;

                  WHEREAS, SKYNET has many years experience and expertise in the
management of  communications  satellite  services and  transponders,  including
performing tracking, telemetry and control services; and

                  WHEREAS,  LORAL ORION  desires to take  advantage  of SKYNET'S
experience and expertise for the benefit of LORAL ORION'S business.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  LORAL ORION and SKYNET,  in consideration of
the mutual covenants expressed herein, agree as follows:






- - ----------------
1 Skynet is a registered trademark of Loral SpaceCom  Corporation.
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 1
                            APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY OF
                       CONTRACTOR AND DUTIES OF CONTRACTOR

                  A.  APPOINTMENT - LORAL ORION hereby engages SKYNET to perform
the  services  provided  for herein  including  but not  necessarily  limited to
Telemetry Tracking & Control (TT&C) Services and the Program  Performance Review
Services set forth in Exhibit A, Statement of Work  (hereinafter  referred to as
"Service" or "Services"),  attached hereto and made a part hereof, in connection
with the satellites  known as Orion 1, 2 and 3 and such other  satellites as the
parties  shall  mutually  agree  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  "Satellite"  or
"Satellites") and SKYNET accepts such engagement to render such Services for the
compensation herein provided.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Performance Review
Services are only applicable to satellites know as Orion 2 and 3.

                  B. AUTHORITY OF CONTRACTOR - LORAL ORION hereby engages SKYNET
on the  terms and  conditions  set forth  herein as an  independent  contractor.
SKYNET and LORAL  ORION  hereby  acknowledge  and agree  that  SKYNET is engaged
solely as an  independent  contractor and that SKYNET shall have no authority to
bind LORAL ORION in connection with the Services provided hereunder.

                  C. DUTIES OF  CONTRACTOR - SKYNET  shall  provide the Services
set forth herein and in Exhibit A, Statement of Work, to LORAL ORION.


                                    ARTICLE 2
                                  COMPENSATION

                  The charge  for  providing  the  Services  hereunder  shall be
SKYNET'S cost plus five (5) percent on top of such costs per month provided that
the cost shall have been  reasonably  incurred by SKYNET in connection  with its
performance of Services hereunder.



<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE 3
                          INVOICING, PAYMENT AND AUDIT


                  SKYNET shall  invoice  LORAL ORION for the  Services  provided
hereunder on the first business day of each month for the  compensation  for the
Services  provided  hereunder  set forth in Article 2 and LORAL  ORION shall pay
such  invoice  on or before  thirty  (30) days from the date  specified  on such
invoices.

                  SKYNET  shall use  reasonable  commercial  efforts to maintain
accurate  records  of all the costs  billed  hereunder.  LORAL  ORION,  once per
calendar year, at its sole expense,  during normal business  hours,  upon thirty
(30) days'  prior  written  notice to SKYNET,  shall have the right to conduct a
financial audit of all such records.


                                    ARTICLE 4
                         DOCUMENTS FORMING THE CONTRACT

                  This Agreement consists of the following:

                  A. The provisions in ARTICLES 1 through 9 in Section I of this
Agreement and ARTICLES 1 through 17 in Section II of this Agreement.

                  B.  EXHIBIT A - Statement of Work

                  In the event of any  inconsistency  among or between the parts
of this  Agreement  set forth  above,  such  inconsistency  shall be resolved by
giving precedence in the order of the parts set forth above.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                                    DURATION

                  This Agreement applies to all the Services performed by SKYNET
that are  described in EXHIBIT A,  beginning on the date of its final  signature
("Effective  Date"),  whether  performed in  anticipation  of or  following  the
execution of this Agreement, and shall, subject to the provisions of Articles 11
and 12 of the General Terms and Conditions appended hereto, continue through the
End Of Life ("EOL") of the  Satellites  that are the subject of this 



<PAGE>

Agreement.  For the purposes of this Agreement End Of Life or EOL shall mean: i)
the  ejection of the  Satellite  from the orbital arc; or ii) the failure of the
Satellite; or (iii) the sale of the Satellite, whichever occurs first.


                                    ARTICLE 6
                        PARTY REPRESENTATIVES AND NOTICES

                  SKYNET'S Technical Representative is:

                           Mr. John Brown
                           Vice President, Satellite Engineering and Operations
                           500 Hills Drive
                           P. O. Box 7018
                           Room 3A24
                           Bedminster, NJ 07921
                           Phone 908 470-2305
                           Fax 908 470-2457

                  SKYNET'S Contract Representative is:

                           Mr. R. J. DeMartini, C.P.M.
                           Director, Contracts
                           500 Hills Drive
                           P.O. Box 7018
                           Room 3A15
                           Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
                           Phone 908 470-2360
                           Fax   908 470-2453

                  LORAL ORION'S Technical Representative is:

                           Mr. Dennis Curtin
                           Senior Vice President, Engineering
                           2440 Research Boulevard
                           Rockville, MD 20850
                           Suite 400
                           Phone 301 258-3201
                           Fax   301 258-3222
<PAGE>

                  LORAL ORION'S Contract Representative is:

                           Mr. Dick Shay
                           Senior Vice President and General Counsel
                           2440 Research Boulevard
                           Rockville, MD 20850
                           Suite 400
                           Phone 301 258-3209
                           Fax   301 258-3360


                  Any notice or demand  which under the terms of this  Agreement
or under any statute must or may be given or made by LORAL ORION or SKYNET shall
be in writing and shall be given or made by telegram,  tested  telex,  confirmed
facsimile, or similar communication or by certified or registered mail addressed
to the Contract  Representatives  designated in this Agreement,  as amended from
time to time.


                                    ARTICLE 7
                         INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS STATUS

                  This  Agreement  is  intended  to  create,   and  creates,   a
contractual  relationship  for  Services to be rendered by SKYNET  acting in the
ordinary course of its business as an independent contractor and is not intended
to create, and does not create, a partnership, joint venture, agency or any like
relationship  between the parties  hereto.  Moreover,  nothing  herein  shall be
construed  to  imply  a  partnership,   joint  venture,  commercial  agency,  or
employer/employee  relationship  between the  parties.  All persons  employed by
SKYNET in connection with this Agreement shall be considered employees or agents
of  SKYNET  only,  and  shall  in no way,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  be
considered  employees  or  agents  of LORAL  ORION.  LORAL  ORION  shall  not be
obligated to pay commissions,  salaries or other payments or benefits to parties
with whom SKYNET may deal in connection with its Services hereunder,  and SKYNET
hereby agrees not to make any representations,  directly or by implication, that
any such obligation on the part of LORAL ORION exists or will exist.


                                    ARTICLE 8
                                      TAXES

                  A. Except as set forth in the following sentence, SKYNET shall
be  financially  responsible  for, and shall pay, any Tax  liability  arising in
connection  with any payment made by 

<PAGE>

LORAL  ORION to  SKYNET  pursuant  to  Article 3 herein.  LORAL  ORION  shall be
financially responsible for all sales, use, transfer or similar consumption-type
tax  arising  in  connection  with any  payment  made by LORAL  ORION to  SKYNET
pursuant to Article 3 herein.

                  B.  LORAL  ORION  and  SKYNET  shall  cooperate  and use their
respective best efforts in connection with contesting any Tax liability  imposed
in connection with the Services or the Satellite capacity.

                  C. For  purposes  of this  Section  14,  the term Tax or Taxes
includes,  without  limitation,  any federal,  state,  local,  or foreign income
(including  income  tax or amounts  on  account  of income  tax  required  to be
deducted or withheld  from or accounted  for in respect of any  payment),  gross
receipts, corporation, advance corporation,  license, payroll, employment, wage,
excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall, profits, environmental,
customs  duties,  capital stock,  franchise,  withholding,  social  security (or
similar),  unemployment,  disability,  real property,  personal property, sales,
use,  transfer,  registration,  value  added,  alternative  or  add-on  minimum,
estimated,  capital gains,  development land,  inheritance,  national  insurance
contributions,  capital  duty,  stamp duty,  stamp duty reserve  tax,  duties or
customs and excise, all taxes, duties or charges replaced by or replacing any of
them, and all levies,  imposts,  duties,  charges or  withholdings of any nature
whatsoever  chargeable  by  any  Governmental   Authority,   together  with  all
penalties,  charges and interest relating thereto.  For purposes of this Article
8, the term Governmental  Authority shall mean any federal,  state,  provincial,
local,  tribal,  foreign  or  other  governmental  agency,  department,  branch,
commission,  board, bureau, court,  instrumentality or body, including,  without
limitation,  any taxing or other authority (whether within or without the United
States) competent to impose any tax liability.


                                    ARTICLE 9
                                ENTIRE AGREEMENT

                  This Agreement , shall constitute the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject  matter of this  Agreement and shall not
be modified or rescinded,  except by a writing signed by LORAL ORION and SKYNET.
Additional  or different  terms  inserted in this  Agreement by LORAL ORION,  or
deletions


<PAGE>
thereto, whether by alterations, addenda, or otherwise, shall be of no force and
effect,  unless expressly  consented to by SKYNET in writing.  The provisions of
this Agreement supersede all contemporaneous  oral agreements and all prior oral
and written  quotations,  communications,  agreements and  understandings of the
parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

ACCEPTED:


LORAL ORION SERVICES, INC.                   LORAL SPACECOM CORPORATION


By: ________________________                 By: _______________________
    Name: Mr. W. Neil Bauer                      Name: Mr. Terry J. Hart
    Title: President & CEO                       Title: President
    Date:                                        Date:



<PAGE>

                          GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   ARBITRATION

                  All disputes arising in connection with the present  Agreement
shall be finally settled under the Rules of Conciliation  and Arbitration of the
American  Arbitration  Association  ("AAA  Rules")  by one or  more  arbitrators
appointed in accordance with said Rules. The arbitration shall take place in New
York City,  United  States of America,  and shall be conducted  in English.  The
arbitrator  shall apply the  substantive  (not the  conflicts)  law of the state
specified in the choice of law provision set forth  elsewhere in this Agreement.
The arbitrator shall not limit,  expand or modify the terms of the Agreement nor
award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party waives any claim
to such excess damages.  The award shall be in United States  dollars.  Judgment
upon the award  rendered in the  arbitration  may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction  thereof.  Each  Party  shall  bear  its  own  expenses  (including
attorney's  fees) and an equal share of the expenses of the  arbitrator  and the
fees of the arbitration. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed to preclude
any party from seeking  injunctive relief in order to protect its rights pending
arbitration.  A request by a party to a court for such  injunctive  relief shall
not be deemed a waiver of the obligation to arbitrate.


                                    ARTICLE 2
                                   ASSIGNMENT

                  LORAL  ORION  acknowledges  and  agrees  that  notwithstanding
anything  to the  contrary  contained  in the  Agreement,  LORAL ORION shall not
transfer or assign any of its rights or  obligations  under the Agreement to any
third  parties  without  SKYNET'S  consent,  which may be given or  withheld  at
SKYNET'S sole  discretion.  SKYNET expressly shall have the right to subcontract
any of the  Services  required  hereunder  to a third party  and/or  assign this
Agreement including its rights, duties and obligations hereunder,  to its parent
corporation  or any present or future  affiliate or subsidiary of SKYNET capable
of fully providing the Services  hereunder,  or in connection with its merger or
acquisition.  All the Services performed hereunder by SKYNET'S  subcontractor(s)
at any tier shall be deemed to be Services  performed  by SKYNET for purposes of
this Agreement.
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 3
                                    CAPTIONS

                  The captions in this  Agreement  are included for  convenience
only and  shall  not be  construed  to  define  or limit  any of the  provisions
contained herein.


                                    ARTICLE 4
                                     CHANGES

                  LORAL ORION may at any time during the term of this  Agreement
require  additions  to  or  alterations  of or  deductions  or  deviations  (all
hereinafter  referred to as a "Change") from the Services  called for by EXHIBIT
A. No Change shall be considered as an addition or alteration to or deduction or
deviation from the Services called for by EXHIBIT A nor shall SKYNET be entitled
to any  compensation  for the Services done pursuant to or in contemplation of a
Change,  unless made  pursuant to a written  Change Order issued by LORAL ORION.
Within  twenty (20) days after a request  for a Change,  SKYNET  shall  submit a
proposal  to LORAL ORION that  includes  any  increases  or  decreases  in LORAL
ORION'S costs or changes in the delivery  schedule  necessitated  by the Change.
LORAL ORION shall,  within ten (10) days of receipt of the proposal,  either (i)
accept the  proposal,  in which event  LORAL ORION shall issue a written  Change
Order  directing  SKYNET to  perform  the  Change or (ii)  advise  SKYNET not to
perform the Change in which event  SKYNET  shall  proceed  with the  Services as
originally  described in EXHIBIT A. SKYNET at its sole  discretion  reserves the
right to reject any such request for Change.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                                  CHOICE OF LAW

                  The  construction,  interpretation  and  performance  of  this
Agreement  and all  transactions  under it shall be  governed by the laws of the
State  of New  York  excluding  its  choice  of laws  rules  and  excluding  the
Convention for the International Sales of Goods.

<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE 6
                                  FORCE MAJEURE

                  SKYNET  shall not be liable  for any  loss,  damage,  or delay
caused by strikes, picketing, labor disturbances, riots, fires, insurrection, or
the elements,  embargoes, failure of carriers, inability to obtain facilities or
to obtain materials,  Government Regulations or requirements, acts of God or the
public  enemy,  or any cause  beyond its  control  whether or not similar to the
foregoing ("Force Majeure  Condition").  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  SKYNET
agrees  to  use  reasonable  commercial  efforts  to  continue  to  perform  the
TT&CServices that it is required to furnish  hereunder.  Such efforts will be no
less in scope then the  efforts  that  SKYNET  will  employ to perform  the TT&C
Services  for its own  spacecraft,  in the  event  that any such  Force  Majeure
Condition  may occur and impede  SKYNET'S  ability to  perform  such  telemetry,
tracking and control services for such spacecraft.



                                    ARTICLE 7
                                    PUBLICITY

                  LORAL ORION agrees to submit to SKYNET all advertising,  sales
promotion,  press releases, and other publicity matters relating to the material
furnished or the  Services  performed  by SKYNET  under this  Agreement  wherein
SKYNET'S names or marks are mentioned or language from which  connection of said
names or marks  therewith  may be inferred or implied;  and LORAL ORION  further
agrees not to publish or use such advertising,  sales promotion, press releases,
or publicity matters without SKYNET'S prior written approval.


                                    ARTICLE 8
                                  RELEASES VOID

                  Neither  party  shall  require  (i) waivers or releases of any
personal  rights or (ii)  execution of  documents in conflict  with the terms of
this Agreement, from employees,  representatives of the other in connection with
visits to its premises and both parties agree that no such releases,  waivers or
documents shall be pleaded by them or third persons in any action or proceeding.

<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE 9
                         RIGHT OF ENTRY AND PLANT RULES

                  Each party shall have the right to enter premises of the other
party  during  normal  business  hours with respect to the  performance  of this
Agreement, subject to all plant rules and regulations,  security regulations and
procedures and U.S. Government clearance requirements if applicable.


                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  SEVERABILITY

                  In the event that any one or more of the provisions  contained
herein shall for any reason be held to be unenforceable in any respect under the
law of any state or of the United States of America, such unenforceability shall
not affect any other provision of this Agreement,  but this Agreement shall then
be construed as if such  unenforceable  provision or  provisions  had never been
contained herein.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                                   TERMINATION

                  [                               *





<PAGE>
                                            ]


                                   ARTICLE 12
                             TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT

                  [                               *

















<PAGE>
                                                                            ]


                                   ARTICLE 13
                          NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

                  13.1       Each party to this Agreement may find it beneficial
                             to  disclose to the other  party  documentation  or
                             other   information   which  the  disclosing  party
                             considers   proprietary    ("Information").    Such
                             Information  may include but is not limited to, its
                             engineering,  hardware, software or other technical
                             information, and financial, accounting or marketing
                             reports,   analysis,   forecasts,   predictions  or
                             projections.

                  13.2       It  is  specifically  understood  and  agreed  that
                             Information  disclosed  pursuant to this  Agreement
                             shall be considered  proprietary  either because 1)
                             it has been developed  internally by the disclosing
                             party,  or because 2) it has been  received  by the
                             disclosing party subject to a continuing obligation
                             to maintain the confidentiality of the Information.

                  13.3       Information  that is  provided  in a tangible  form
                             shall be marked in a manner to indicate  that it is
                             considered  proprietary  or  otherwise  subject  to
                             limited  distributions   provided  herein.  If  the
                             Information  is  provided  orally,  the  disclosing
                             party   shall   clearly   identify   it  as   being
                             proprietary at the time of  disclosure,  and within
                             fifteen  (15)  working  days  of  such  disclosure,
                             confirm  the  disclosure  in  writing  to the other
                             party.

                  With respect to Information, the party to whom the Information
is disclosed and its employees shall:

                           a.       hold  the   Information  in  confidence  and
                                    protect it in  accordance  with the security
                                    regulations  by  which it  protects  its own
                                    proprietary  or  confidential   information,
                                    which it does not wish to disclose;
<PAGE>

                           b.       restrict   disclosure  of  the   Information
                                    solely  to  those  employees  with a need to
                                    know  and  not  disclose  it  to  any  other
                                    persons;

                           c.       advise those employees of their  obligations
                                    with respect to the Information; and

                           d.       use the Information  only in connection with
                                    implementing    this    Agreement   and   in
                                    continuing   discussions  and   negotiations
                                    between the parties  concerning the Service,
                                    except as may  otherwise  be agreed  upon in
                                    writing.

                  13.4       In the event a party to whom  Information  has been
                             disclosed  proposes to disclose that Information to
                             an outside consultant or agent, it shall obtain the
                             written   consent   of  the  party  from  whom  the
                             Information was originally received and arrange for
                             the  execution  by the  consultant  or agent  for a
                             nondisclosure   agreement  in  a  form   reasonably
                             satisfactory to the party from whom the Information
                             was originally received.

                  13.5       The party to whom  Information  is disclosed  shall
                             have no  obligations  to preserve  the  proprietary
                             nature of any Information that:

                              a.      was  previously  known  to it  free of any
                                      obligations to keep it confidential;
                              b.      is  disclosed  to  third  parties  by  the
                                      disclosing party without restriction;
                              c.      is or becomes publicly  available by other
                                      than unauthorized disclosure; or
                              d.      is   independently    developed   by   the
                                      receiving party.

                  The Information shall be deemed the property of the disclosing
party and,  upon request the other party will  promptly  return all  Information
that  is  in  tangible  form  to  the  disclosing  party  or  destroy  all  such
information.

<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE 14
                             LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

                  OTHER  THAN  for  damages  resulting  from  skynet's  willfull
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence, SKYNET SHALL HAVE NO Liability With
respect  to any claim or suit,  by LORAL  ORION or by any  others,  for  damages
associated with the MATERIAL or SERVICES FURNISHED  HEREUNDER.  FURTHER,  SKYNET
WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL,  CONSEQUENTIAL,  SPECIAL,  DIRECT OR INDIRECT
DAMAGES  WHETHER  ARISING  OUT  OF  BREACH  OF  WARRANTY,  BREACH  OF  CONTRACT,
NEGLIGENCE,  STRICT TORT  LIABILITY,  OR OTHERWISE.  IN NO EVENT SHALL SKYNET BE
LIABLE FOR DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT.



                                   ARTICLE 15
                            DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

              SKYNET  WARRANTS  TO LORAL  ORION THAT  SKYNET  WILL  PERFORM  THE
SERVICES DEFINED HEREIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERALLY ACCEPTED INDUSTRY STANDARDS
AND THAT SUCH SERVICE  SHALL BE FIT FOR ITS INTENDED  PURPOSE AS  IDENTIFIED  IN
EXHIBIT A, STATEMENT OF WORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS
AGREEMENT,   SKYNET,  ITS  PARENT,  THEIR  SUBSIDIARIES  AND  THEIR  AFFILIATES,
SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE
PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE OR WARRANTY AGAINST PATENT, TRADEMARK,  COPYRIGHT, OR
TRADE  SECRET   INFRINGEMENT,   AND   SPECIFICALLY   DISCLAIM  ANY  WARRANTY  OF
MERCHANTABILITY.



<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 16
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

                  LORAL ORION shall  indemnify and save harmless  SKYNET and its
affiliates  and  its  customers  and  their  respective   officers,   directors,
employees,  successors and assigns from and against, any and all losses, claims,
damages,  liabilities  or expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and
expenses)  (collectively  "Losses") resulting from any claim, demand, action, or
suit resulting from the  performance of Services by SKYNET under this Agreement,
other than Losses  resulting  from SKYNET'S  willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or
gross negligence.


                                   ARTICLE 17
                                     WAIVER

                  The  failure of either  party at any time to enforce any right
or remedy  available  to it under this  Agreement  with respect to any breach or
failure by the other party shall not be  construed  to be a waiver of such right
or remedy with respect to any other breach or failure by the other party.



<PAGE>
================================================================================


                                Statement of Work

                                LORAL ORION FLEET

                 PART 1, TRACKING, TELEMETRY & CONTROL SERVICES

================================================================================


     Overview

SKYNET'S technical support is comprised of three main areas:

  o  Planning Support

     SKYNET will perform all necessary  SATELLITE  coordination  with the proper
     regulatory   authorities,   including   but  not  limited  to  the  Federal
     Communications  Commission (FCC) and the  International  Telecommunications
     Union (ITU).

  o  GCE/Satellite TT&C Baseband Maintenance and Support

     SKYNET will provide  maintenance support for the GCE hardware and SATELLITE
     TT&C  baseband  hardware  and  software  located on SKYNET  property and at
     remote earth  stations  used to support the TT&C services  associated  with
     this program.

  o  TT&C Services & Payload Management

     SKYNET will provide TT&C services upon take over of the  SATELLITE(S)  from
     the   LORAL   ORION  and  the   Spacecraft   manufacturer.   Primary   TT&C
     responsibilities  will remain with  SKYNET,  as well as  management  of the
     Satellite payload.


     The  following  provides more detail on each of the three areas of SKYNET'S
     support:


<PAGE>



PLANNING SUPPORT

SKYNET will, perform the payload coordination of the LORAL ORION SATELLITE fleet
with all applicable  regulatory  agencies,  including but not limited to the FCC
and the ITU.


GCE/SATELLITE TT&C BASEBAND MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT

Under  the   provisions   of  this   Statement  of  Work,   SKYNET  will  assume
responsibility  for  maintenance  of GCE and SATELLITE  TT&C baseband  equipment
directly or through subcontractors. Such maintenance activities will include but
not be limited to:

o   Monitor the  performance of the equipment  twenty-four  hours per day, seven
    days per week.
o   Upon detection of a fault, isolate the cause of the fault and repair the GCE
    and SATELLITE TT&C baseband equipment as needed.
o   Perform  preventative  maintenance  on the equipment per the  manufacturer's
    specifications.

SKYNET will be  responsible  for operating  all GCE and SATELLITE  TT&C baseband
equipment  located on SKYNET  property  and at the remote TT&C  stations,  in an
environment that follows manufacturer specifications and/or SKYNET'S operational
guidelines.  For  that  equipment,   SKYNET  will  provide  both  protected  and
unprotected electrical power and conditioned environments,  that meets the needs
of the equipment.



<PAGE>


TT&C SERVICES

SKYNET will provide LORAL ORION  spacecraft  operations  services in the form of
spacecraft  payload and bus analysis  and  configuration  management,  SATELLITE
control, and orbital determination and analysis.

LORAL ORION'S  Spacecraft  operations will be performed on a day-by-day basis by
an experienced  SKYNET staff.  This staff will operate the SATELLITE(S) with the
same  procedures and diligence  SKYNET applies to its Telstar fleet.  The entire
SATELLITE  control staff from both the Hawley and Three Peaks facilities will be
trained to control the LORAL ORION  fleet.  The LORAL ORION  SATELLITES  will be
integrated  into the SKYNET fleet and enjoy the same coverage,  from both Hawley
and  Three  Peaks,  that the  Telstar  fleet  does.  The  demonstration  of this
diligence will be through  periodic health and status reports  provided to LORAL
ORION.

The SKYNET satellite control staff will develop appropriate plans and procedures
for  maintaining  the  proper  Spacecraft  orbits,   monitoring  the  telemetry,
responding  to alarms,  investigating  and  resolving  Spacecraft  anomalies and
commanding the SATELLITE to the proper configuration for service.

SKYNET will provide TT&C services,  as described below,  after SKYNET takes over
LORAL ORION'S first SATELLITE and additional SATELLITE(S) from the manufacturer.


The following provides details of the TT&C service that SKYNET will initiate and
continue to provide throughout the life of the SATELLITE(S):



<PAGE>


o    PAYLOAD AND BUS ANALYSIS AND CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

     SKYNET  will  execute  the  following  tasks  on  each of the  LORAL  ORION
     SATELLITES:

1.   ANALYSIS OF SATELLITE TELEMETRY DATA TO DETERMINE  SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM
     TRENDS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH OF THE SATELLITE SUB-SYSTEMS.

2.   Review and analysis of any SATELLITE anomalies.  The SKYNET staff will work
     with LORAL ORION and the manufacturer,  if necessary,  in the resolution of
     any Spacecraft anomalies.

3.   SKYNET will  determine,  establish and administer all operating  limits and
     deltas necessary for the quality operation of the Spacecraft(s).


o    Satellite Control

     SKYNET  Satellite  Controllers will be available on a twenty-four (24) hour
     per  day,  seven  (7)  day  per  week  basis  to  continually  monitor  the
     performance  of LORAL  ORION'S  SATELLITE(S).  During  the  course  of this
     monitoring the Satellite Controller will:

1.   Continually  scan for Spacecraft  alarms and check the health and status of
     LORAL  ORION'S  Spacecraft  by reviewing  telemetry  data received from the
     Spacecraft.

2.   Execute  spacecraft  procedures  as designed and  specified  by  spacecraft
     engineer(s)   and   Orbital   Analyst(s)   assigned   to  the  LORAL  ORION
     spacecraft(s).  The LORAL ORION  SATELLITE(S) will be routinely assigned to
     different  analysts and  engineers on the SKYNET staff to ensure our entire
     staff is always familiar with the configuration and operations of the LORAL
     ORION SATELLITE(S).

3.   Execute spacecraft procedures and payload configuration changes.

<PAGE>

4.   Execute spacecraft procedures as needed in response to spacecraft alarms.

5.   Generate ranging data as required.


o    Maneuver Planning, Orbital Determination And Analysis

     SKYNET  will see that each LORAL  ORION  SATELLITE  operated by SKYNET will
     have the  following  activities  conducted by the SKYNET  orbital  analysis
     staff.

1.   Analysis  of  SATELLITE  ranging  data  and  determination  of all  orbital
     elements associated with current and projected SATELLITE positioning.

2.   Design all maneuvers for the SATELLITE(S) to see that SATELLITE(S) are kept
     within  limits  authorized  per  the  SATELLITE   operating  license,   FCC
     requirements,  ITU  requirements  and LORAL ORION'S  reasonable and written
     expectations.

3.   Monitor all SATELLITE flight dynamics during maneuvers to see that maneuver
     plans were executed as designed.

4.   Perform   post-maneuver   analysis  of   SATELLITE(S)   to  determine  fuel
     consumption  during maneuver and prepare  semi-annual end of life estimates
     for each SATELLITE.

5.   Monitor  short-term and long-term  performance  trends of each Spacecraft's
     attitude control and propulsion subsystems.


SKYNET will also perform management of the payload including Satellite access.

Each  maneuver  will have a primary  analyst  who has the  support of the entire
staff.  Again,  the entire  orbital  dynamics  staff will receive all  necessary
training to conduct  operations  for the LORAL ORION fleet.  In order to provide


<PAGE>

the TT&C services  described  above,  SKYNET will augment its present staff with
sufficient payload and bus analysis and configuration managers, orbital analysts
and satellite controllers to operate LORAL ORION'S SATELLITES in the same SKYNET
operates its satellites.


Depending upon the context,  in this Part 1 of this Exhibit A "Spacecraft" shall
have the same  meaning as ascribed to the term  "Satellite"  in Article 1. A. of
Section I of this Contract.




<PAGE>
================================================================================
PART 2,  SATELLITE PROGRAM PERFORMANCE REVIEW
================================================================================


OVERVIEW

This Section 2 defines all services,  data and  documentation to be performed by
SKYNET on behalf of LORAL  ORION for the Orion  satellite(s)  (depending  on the
context,  hereinafter  referred  to as  "Satellite,  Satellites,  Spacecraft  or
Spacecrafts")  programs.  SKYNET will be responsible for review and confirmation
of deliverance of the Satellites in accordance with the specifications agreed to
between the manufacturer and LORAL ORION.

     BASIC PROGRAM CONTENT

     SKYNET will provide experienced and competent personnel to review,  analyze
     and report to LORAL ORION via written reports concerning:

     1.  The acceptability of unit level performance data received directly from
         the manufacturer or from the  manufacturer's  subcontractors  for items
         associated  with the  Spacecrafts'  antenna  subsystem,  communications
         subsystem,  telemetry command and ranging subsystems, buses subsystems,
         spacecraft control electronics, propulsion subsystems, electrical power
         subsystems,  thermal  control  subsystems,  structures  and  mechanisms
         subsystems.

     2.  Support  LORAL ORION in arriving at a  satisfactory  resolution  of any
         unit level tests that suggest the Satellites will not meet  performance
         specifications as outlined in the technical  specifications  section of
         the contract between the manufacturer and LORAL ORION.

     3.  The acceptability of subsystem level performance data received from the
         manufacturer  during the  integration  and assembly of  subsystems  for
         items   associated   with   the   Spacecrafts'    antenna   subsystems,
         communications  subsystems,  telemetry command and ranging  subsystems,
         buses   subsystems,   spacecraft   control   electronics,    propulsion
         subsystems, electrical

<PAGE>
         power subsystems, thermal control subsystems, structures and mechanisms
         subsystems.

     4.  Support  LORAL ORION in arriving at a  satisfactory  resolution  of any
         subsystem level  performance tests that suggest the Satellites will not
         meet   performance   specifications   as  outlined  in  the   technical
         specifications  section of the contract  between the  manufacturer  and
         LORAL ORION.

     5.  The  acceptability  of system level  performance data received from the
         manufacturer  during the thermal vacuum and temperature  cycling of the
         Satellites  for  items   associated  with  the   Spacecrafts'   antenna
         subsystems,  communications  subsystems,  telemetry command and ranging
         subsystems,   buses   subsystems,   spacecraft   control   electronics,
         propulsion  subsystems,  electrical power  subsystems,  thermal control
         subsystems, structures and mechanisms subsystems.

     6.  Support  LORAL ORION in arriving at a  satisfactory  resolution  of any
         system level  performance  tests that suggest the  Satellites  will not
         meet   performance   specifications   as  outlined  in  the   technical
         specifications  section of the contract  between the  manufacturer  and
         LORAL ORION.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

LORAL  ORION,  at its option may request  that SKYNET  provide  experienced  and
competent  personnel  to review,  analyze  and report to LORAL ORION via written
report on the health and status of the Satellites:

1.   During pre-launch activities.

2.   During in orbit testing (IOT) of the Spacecrafts'  buses and communications
     payloads.

     LORAL ORION, at its option may also request that SKYNET provide experienced
     and  competent  personnel to review,  analyze and report to LORAL ORION via
     written report on

<PAGE>

     the  health and  status of the  Satellites'  launch  programs.  SKYNET,  in
     undertaking this task would:

1.   Review  pre-launch  plans and procedures of the launch vehicle provider and
     recommend  corrective actions to prevent or eliminate  performance problems
     and protect schedules.

2.   Track activities of launch vehicle provider.

3.   Review  final  launch  vehicle  readiness  to  launch  of the  LORAL  ORION
     Spacecrafts.

4.   Review mission plans and procedures  including orbit raising and deployment
     of solar arrays and antennas.


DELIVERABLES

The  services,  data and  documentation  to be provided  by SKYNET are  provided
herein. Such services data and documentation provided by SKYNET will include but
not be limited to written reports and compliance matrices which document results
of analysis,  and summary descriptions of the necessary resolution.  SKYNET will
also provide written reports and compliance  matrices which document  results of
all scheduled testing.

o    UNIT AND SUB ASSEMBLIES

     SKYNET will provide  in-process  inspections  or witness  unit  assembly at
     subcontractor.  Data, if provided by a subcontractor  of the  manufacturer,
     would  accompany the unit as an  associated  data package or be obtained at
     the subcontractor's  facility.  Data for units and sub-assemblies  directly
     manufactured  by the  manufacturer  would  be  found  at the  manufacturing
     facility.  All  data  for  analysis  must be  made  available  through  the
     manufacturer's Program Office.


<PAGE>


o    SPACECRAFT INTEGRATION TEST RESULTS

     Such tests will be performed at the manufacturer's facility. SKYNET will be
     present  during the  performance  of such tests.  SKYNET will support LORAL
     ORION  in  reviewing  test  procedures  and  witnessing  the  vendors  (the
     manufacturer) performance of such tests and data collected. Such tests will
     include  but  not  be  limited  to:  panel  integration  tests,   reference
     performance  tests,  thermal  vacuum  testing,  sine vibration and acoustic
     testing,  compact  antenna range testing  (CATR) and final bus testing.  In
     addition  to  supporting  the above  tests,  SKYNET  will also  provide the
     following:

1.   COMMUNICATIONS  SUBSYSTEMS  ANALYSIS

     SKYNET will prepare a complete and comprehensive  Communications Subsystems
     Performance report.  This report will summarize  important  characteristics
     and  parameters  of the  Communications  Subsystems  as it  relates  to the
     performance  specifications  found in the contract between the manufacturer
     and LORAL ORION for the construction of the Satellites.

2.   ELECTRICAL  POWER  SYSTEMS  ANALYSIS  

     SKYNET  will  prepare  a  complete  and   comprehensive   Electrical  Power
     Subsystems   Analysis   report.   This  report  will  summarize   important
     characteristics  and  parameters of the electrical  power  subsystems as it
     relates to the performance specifications found in the contract between the
     manufacturer and LORAL ORION for the construction of the Satellites.

3.   SPACECRAFT  PRE-SHIPMENT  REVIEW 

     SKYNET will witness  pre-shipment  review  conducted by the manufacturer to
     assure that all of the Satellites'  subsystems are in conformance  with all
     requirements  of the  performance  specifications  found  in  the  contract
     between  the  manufacturer  and  LORAL  ORION for the  construction  of the
     Satellites.


<PAGE>

4.   SATELLITE POST SHIPMENT INSPECTION

     SKYNET will review or witness  post-shipment  validation tests conducted by
     the manufacturer to demonstrate that all of the Satellites'  subsystems are
     in conformance  with all  requirements  of the  performance  specifications
     found in the  contract  between  the  manufacturer  and LORAL ORION for the
     construction of the Satellites and has not degraded as a result of shipment
     to the launch site.

5.   SATELLITE LAUNCH READINESS REVIEW

     SKYNET will  participate in the Launch  Readiness  Review of the Satellites
     which will be held not later than ten (10) working days prior to the launch
     date of the Satellites.  SKYNET will expressly concentrate on the readiness
     of satellite  subsystems.  SKYNET, in performance of this review along with
     the  manufacturer,  will  advise  LORAL  ORION  on  the  condition  of  the
     Spacecrafts  prior to LORAL ORION  giving  final  GO/NOGO  authority to the
     manufacturer.

6.   IN-ORBIT TEST REVIEW/SATELLITE ACCEPTANCE

     SKYNET will  participate in the In-Orbit Test review of the Satellites that
     will be held at a location  to be  selected  by LORAL  ORION.  SKYNET  will
     expressly concentrate on the in orbit performance of all of the Satellites'
     Subsystems.   SKYNET,   in  performance  of  this  review  along  with  the
     manufacturer,  will advise LORAL ORION on the condition of the  Spacecrafts
     prior to final acceptance of the Satellites by LORAL ORION.









                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19



                                AGREEMENT BETWEEN

                           LORAL ORION SERVICES, INC.

                                       AND

                           LORAL SPACECOM CORPORATION

                        CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

                  This Agreement shall become effective on the date of its final
signature by and between Loral Orion Services, Inc., a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its primary place of
business at 2440 Research Boulevard, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850 (hereinafter
referred to as "LORAL ORION" which  expression  shall include its successors and
permitted assigns) and Loral SpaceCom  Corporation,  a corporation organized and
existing  under  the  laws of the  State of  Delaware  doing  business  as Loral
Skynet(R) 1 and having a place of business at 500 Hills Drive,  Bedminster,  New
Jersey 07921 (hereinafter referred to as "SKYNET" which expression shall include
its successors and permitted assigns).

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, SKYNET and LORAL ORION are both subsidiaries of Loral
Space & Communications Corporation;

                  WHEREAS, SKYNET has many years experience and expertise in the
marketing and sales of communications satellite services and transponders; and

                  WHEREAS,  LORAL ORION  desires to take  advantage  of SKYNET'S
experience and expertise for the benefit of LORAL ORION'S business.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  LORAL ORION and SKYNET,  in consideration of
the mutual covenants expressed herein, agree as follows:








- - -------------
1 Skynet is a registered trademark of Loral SpaceCom Corporation.
<PAGE>


                                    ARTICLE 1

                            APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY OF
                       CONTRACTOR AND DUTIES OF CONTRACTOR

                  A.  APPOINTMENT - LORAL ORION hereby engages SKYNET to perform
the services provided for herein including but not necessarily  limited to sales
and marketing set forth in Exhibit A, Statement of Work (hereinafter referred to
as  "Service"  or  "Services"),  attached  hereto  and  made a part  hereof,  in
connection  with  the  satellites  known  as  Orion  1, 2 and 3 and  such  other
satellites  as the parties  shall  mutually  agree  (hereinafter  referred to as
"Satellite" or  "Satellites")  and SKYNET accepts such engagement to render such
Services  for  the  compensation  herein  provided.  SKYNET  may,  at  its  sole
discretion, perform the Services pursuant to this Agreement as a disclosed agent
or an undisclosed agent.

                  B. AUTHORITY OF CONTRACTOR - LORAL ORION hereby engages SKYNET
on the  terms and  conditions  set forth  herein as an  independent  contractor.
SKYNET and LORAL  ORION  hereby  acknowledge  and agree  that  SKYNET is engaged
solely as an independent contractor and that SKYNET shall have authority to bind
LORAL ORION and to execute  contracts  or other  documents in the name of, or on
behalf of,  LORAL ORION in  connection  with the  Services  provided  hereunder,
provided that,  such authority shall be exercisable by SKYNET only in the United
States.

                  C. DUTIES OF  CONTRACTOR - SKYNET  shall  provide the Services
set forth herein and in Exhibit A, Statement of Work, to LORAL ORION.


                                    ARTICLE 2
                                  COMPENSATION

                  The charge to LORAL ORION for providing the Services hereunder
shall be  SKYNET'S  cost plus five (5)  percent  on top of such  costs per month
provided  that the cost  shall  have  been  reasonably  incurred  by  SKYNET  in
connection with its performance of Services hereunder.


<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE 3
                          INVOICING, PAYMENT AND AUDIT

                  SKYNET shall  invoice  LORAL ORION for the  Services  provided
hereunder on the first business day of each month for the  compensation  for the
Services  provided  hereunder  set forth in Article 2 and LORAL  ORION shall pay
such  invoice  on or before  thirty  (30) days from the date  specified  on such
invoices.

                  SKYNET  shall use  reasonable  commercial  efforts to maintain
accurate  records  of all the costs  billed  hereunder.  LORAL  ORION,  once per
calendar year, at its sole expense,  during normal business  hours,  upon thirty
(30) days'  prior  written  notice to SKYNET,  shall have the right to conduct a
financial audit of all such records.


                                    ARTICLE 4
                         DOCUMENTS FORMING THE CONTRACT

                  This Agreement consists of the following:

                  A. The  provisions  in  ARTICLES  1 through 10 in Section I of
this Agreement and ARTICLES 1 through 17 in Section II of this Agreement.

                  B. EXHIBIT A - Statement of Work.

                  In the event of any  inconsistency  among or between the parts
of this  Agreement  set forth  above,  such  inconsistency  shall be resolved by
giving precedence in the order of the parts set forth above.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                                    DURATION

                  This Agreement applies to all the Services performed by SKYNET
that are  described in EXHIBIT A,  beginning on the date of its final  signature
(Effective  Date"),  whether  performed  in  anticipation  of or  following  the
execution of this Agreement, and shall, subject to the provisions of Articles 11
and 12 of the General Terms and Conditions appended hereto, continue through the
End Of Life ("EOL") of the  Satellites  that are the subject of this 

<PAGE>

Agreement. For the purposes of this Agreement, End Of Life or EOL shall mean: i)
the  ejection of the  Satellite  from the orbital arc; or ii) the failure of the
Satellite; or (iii) the sale of the Satellite, whichever occurs first.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                        PARTY REPRESENTATIVES AND NOTICES

                  SKYNET'S Technical Representative is:

                           Ms. Joan Byrnes
                           Vice President,  Sales
                           500 Hills Drive
                           P.O. Box 7018
                           Room 3B28
                           Bedminster, NJ 07921
                           Phone 908 470-2323
                           FAX 908 470-2451

                  SKYNET'S Contract Representative is:

                           Mr. R. J. DeMartini, C.P.M.
                           Director, Contracts
                           500 Hills Drive
                           P.O. Box 7018
                           Room 3A15
                           Bedminster, New Jersey 07921
                           Phone 908 470-2360
                           FAX   908 470-2453

                  LORAL ORION'S Technical Representative is:

                           Mr. Edward DiCarlo
                           Vice President, Marketing
                           2440 Research Boulevard
                           Rockville, MD 20850
                           Suite 400
                           Phone 301 670-6598
                           Fax   301 590-7430

                  LORAL ORION'S Contract Representative is:

                           Mr. Dick Shay
                           Senior Vice President and General Counsel
                           2440 Research Boulevard

<PAGE>
                           Rockville, MD 20850
                           Suite 400
                           Phone 301 258-3209
                           Fax   301 258-3360

                  Any notice or demand  which under the terms of this  Agreement
or under any statute must or may be given or made by LORAL ORION or SKYNET shall
be in writing and shall be given or made by telegram,  tested  telex,  confirmed
facsimile, or similar communication or by certified or registered mail addressed
to the Contract  Representatives  designated in this Agreement,  as amended from
time to time.


                                    ARTICLE 7
                         INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS STATUS

                  This  Agreement  is  intended  to  create,   and  creates,   a
contractual  relationship  for  Services to be rendered by SKYNET  acting in the
ordinary course of its business as an independent contractor and is not intended
to create, and does not create, a partnership, joint venture, agency or any like
relationship  between the parties  hereto.  Moreover,  nothing  herein  shall be
construed  to  imply  a  partnership,   joint  venture,  commercial  agency,  or
employer/employee  relationship  between the  parties.  All persons  employed by
SKYNET in connection with this Agreement shall be considered employees or agents
of  SKYNET  only,  and  shall  in no way,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  be
considered  employees  or  agents  of LORAL  ORION.  LORAL  ORION  shall  not be
obligated to pay commissions,  salaries or other payments or benefits to parties
with whom SKYNET may deal in connection with its Services hereunder,  and SKYNET
hereby agrees not to make any representations,  directly or by implication, that
any such obligation on the part of LORAL ORION exists or will exist.
<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE 8
                                      TAXES

                  A. Except as set forth in the following sentence, SKYNET shall
be  financially  responsible  for, and shall pay, any Tax  liability  arising in
connection  with any payment made by LORAL ORION to SKYNET pursuant to Article 3
herein.  LORAL  ORION  shall be  financially  responsible  for all  sales,  use,
transfer or similar  consumption-type Tax arising in connection with any payment
made by LORAL ORION to SKYNET pursuant to Article 3 herein.

                  B. LORAL ORION shall be financially responsible for, and shall
pay, all Taxes not payable by a customer attributable to the Satellite capacity.
Without  limiting the generality of the  foregoing,  SKYNET shall (i) include in
all customer  contracts that customer shall be financially  responsible for, and
shall pay, any sales, use, transfer,  VAT or other consumption-type Tax and (ii)
use its best efforts to structure  customer  contracts for Satellite capacity in
such a way as to minimize the potential imposition of any Taxes on LORAL ORION.

                  C.  LORAL  ORION  and  SKYNET  shall  cooperate  and use their
respective best efforts in connection with contesting any Tax liability  imposed
in connection with the Services or the Satellite capacity.

                  D. For  purposes  of this  Section  14,  the term Tax or Taxes
includes,  without  limitation,  any federal,  state,  local,  or foreign income
(including  income  tax or amounts  on  account  of income  tax  required  to be
deducted or withheld  from or accounted  for in respect of any  payment),  gross
receipts, corporation, advance corporation,  license, payroll, employment, wage,
excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall, profits, environmental,
customs  duties,  capital stock,  franchise,  withholding,  social  security (or
similar),  unemployment,  disability,  real property,  personal property, sales,
use,  transfer,  registration,  value  added,  alternative  or  add-on  minimum,
estimated,  capital gains,  development land,  inheritance,  national  insurance
contributions,  capital  duty,  stamp duty,  stamp duty reserve  tax,  duties or
customs and excise, all taxes, duties or charges replaced by or replacing any of
them, and all levies,  imposts,  duties,  charges or  withholdings of any nature
whatsoever  chargeable  by  any  Governmental   Authority,   together  with  all
penalties,  charges and interest relating thereto.  For purposes of 

<PAGE>

this Article 8, the term  Governmental Authority shall mean any federal,  state,
provincial,  local, tribal,  foreign or other governmental  agency,  department,
branch,  commission,  board, bureau, court,  instrumentality or body, including,
without limitation, any taxing or other authority (whether within or without the
United States) competent to impose any tax liability.


                                    ARTICLE 9
                                CUSTOMER BILLING

                  SKYNET will  assign a unique  Master  Customer/Account  No. to
each LORAL ORION  customer and invoice each customer  monthly.  Monthly  charges
will be billed in advance, except where prohibited by law. For billing purposes,
each month will be considered  to have thirty (30) days.  Payment will be due on
or before the first day of each month for services to be provided in that month,
as specified on the bill.  Service may be discontinued  for nonpayment of a bill
ten (10) days beyond notice.

                  The bill form will contain essentially the same information as
the bills previously issued to customers by LORAL ORION.

                  The customer will have an option to forward their payment to a
lock box by mail or by overnight  carrier or  electronically  by wire  transfer.
LORAL ORION shall have sole authority to withdraw amounts from the lock box. Any
late payments by customer of amounts due and payable (including, but not limited
to, specified payments,  damages, and indemnification)  will be with interest at
the rate specified in the customer contract,  or the highest legally permissible
rate of interest,  whichever is lower, and all interest or discounting  shall be
compounded on a monthly basis. Such late payments,  including interest,  will be
payable with the amount due and  calculated  from the date payment was due until
the date it is received in the lock box.

                  SKYNET will report the total amount of  collected  receivables
to LORAL ORION on a monthly basis.

                  SKYNET  shall  use  its  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to
collect overdue  invoice amounts from LORAL ORION customers  provided that LORAL
ORION  hereby  acknowledges  and agrees that SKYNET  shall have no  liability or
obligation to LORAL ORION or any other person for customer payment defaults.

<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE 10
                                ENTIRE AGREEMENT

                  This Agreement,  shall constitute the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject  matter of this  Agreement and shall not
be modified or rescinded,  except by a writing signed by LORAL ORION and SKYNET.
Additional  or different  terms  inserted in this  Agreement by LORAL ORION,  or
deletions thereto, whether by alterations, addenda, or otherwise, shall be of no
force and  effect,  unless  expressly  consented  to by SKYNET in  writing.  The
provisions of this Agreement supersede all  contemporaneous  oral agreements and
all  prior  oral  and  written   quotations,   communications,   agreements  and
understandings  of the  parties  with  respect  to the  subject  matter  of this
Agreement.


ACCEPTED:


LORAL ORION SERVICES, INC.                 LORAL SPACECOM CORPORATION


By: _______________________                  By: ______________________
    Name: Mr. W. Neil Bauer                      Name: Mr. Terry J. Hart
    Title: President & CEO                       Title: President
    Date:                                        Date:


<PAGE>

                          GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   ARBITRATION

                  All disputes arising in connection with the present  Agreement
shall be finally settled under the Rules of Conciliation  and Arbitration of the
American  Arbitration  Association  ("AAA  Rules")  by one or  more  arbitrators
appointed in accordance with said Rules. The arbitration shall take place in New
York City,  United  States of America,  and shall be conducted  in English.  The
arbitrator  shall apply the  substantive  (not the  conflicts)  law of the state
specified in the choice of law provision set forth  elsewhere in this Agreement.
The arbitrator shall not limit,  expand or modify the terms of the Agreement nor
award damages in excess of compensatory damages, and each party waives any claim
to such excess damages.  The award shall be in United States  dollars.  Judgment
upon the award  rendered in the  arbitration  may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction  thereof.  Each  Party  shall  bear  its  own  expenses  (including
attorney's  fees) and an equal share of the expenses of the  arbitrator  and the
fees of the arbitration. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed to preclude
any party from seeking  injunctive relief in order to protect its rights pending
arbitration.  A request by a party to a court for such  injunctive  relief shall
not be deemed a waiver of the obligation to arbitrate.


                                    ARTICLE 2
                                   ASSIGNMENT

                  LORAL  ORION  acknowledges  and  agrees  that  notwithstanding
anything  to the  contrary  contained  in the  Agreement,  LORAL ORION shall not
transfer or assign any of its rights or  obligations  under the Agreement to any
third  parties  without  SKYNET'S  consent,  which may be given or  withheld  at
SKYNET'S sole  discretion.  SKYNET expressly shall have the right to subcontract
any of the  Services  required  hereunder  to a third party  and/or  assign this
Agreement including its rights, duties and obligations hereunder,  to its parent
corporation  or any present or future  affiliate or subsidiary of SKYNET capable
of fully providing the Services  hereunder,  or in connection with its merger or
acquisition.  All the Services performed hereunder by SKYNET'S  subcontractor(s)
at any tier shall be deemed to be Services  performed  by SKYNET for purposes of
this Agreement.
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 3
                                    CAPTIONS

                  The captions in this  Agreement  are included for  convenience
only and  shall  not be  construed  to  define  or limit  any of the  provisions
contained herein.


                                    ARTICLE 4
                                     CHANGES

                  LORAL ORION may at any time during the term of this  Agreement
require  additions  to  or  alterations  of or  deductions  or  deviations  (all
hereinafter  referred to as a "Change") from the Services  called for by EXHIBIT
A. No Change shall be considered as an addition or alteration to or deduction or
deviation from the Services called for by EXHIBIT A nor shall SKYNET be entitled
to any  compensation  for the Services done pursuant to or in contemplation of a
Change,  unless made  pursuant to a written  Change Order issued by LORAL ORION.
Within  twenty (20) days after a request  for a Change,  SKYNET  shall  submit a
proposal  to LORAL ORION that  includes  any  increases  or  decreases  in LORAL
ORION'S costs or changes in the delivery  schedule  necessitated  by the Change.
LORAL ORION shall,  within ten (10) days of receipt of the proposal,  either (i)
accept the  proposal,  in which event  LORAL ORION shall issue a written  Change
Order  directing  SKYNET to  perform  the  Change or (ii)  advise  SKYNET not to
perform the Change in which event  SKYNET  shall  proceed  with the  Services as
originally  described in EXHIBIT A. SKYNET at its sole  discretion  reserves the
right to reject any such request for Change.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                                  CHOICE OF LAW

                  The  construction,  interpretation  and  performance  of  this
Agreement  and all  transactions  under it shall be  governed by the laws of the
State  of New  York  excluding  its  choice  of laws  rules  and  excluding  the
Convention for the International Sales of Goods.

<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE 6
                                  FORCE MAJEURE

                  SKYNET  shall not be liable  for any  loss,  damage,  or delay
caused by strikes, picketing, labor disturbances, riots, fires, insurrection, or
the elements,  embargoes, failure of carriers, inability to obtain facilities or
to obtain materials,  Government Regulations or requirements, acts of God or the
public  enemy,  or any cause  beyond its  control  whether or not similar to the
foregoing ("Force Majeure Condition").


                                    ARTICLE 7
                                    PUBLICITY

                  LORAL ORION agrees to submit to SKYNET all advertising,  sales
promotion,  press releases, and other publicity matters relating to the material
furnished or the  Services  performed  by SKYNET  under this  Agreement  wherein
SKYNET'S names or marks are mentioned or language from which  connection of said
names or marks  therewith  may be inferred or implied;  and LORAL ORION  further
agrees not to publish or use such advertising,  sales promotion, press releases,
or publicity matters without SKYNET'S prior written approval.


                                    ARTICLE 8
                                  RELEASES VOID

                  Neither  party  shall  require  (i) waivers or releases of any
personal  rights or (ii)  execution of  documents in conflict  with the terms of
this Agreement, from employees,  representatives of the other in connection with
visits to its premises and both parties agree that no such releases,  waivers or
documents shall be pleaded by them or third persons in any action or proceeding.



<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 9
                         RIGHT OF ENTRY AND PLANT RULES

                  Each party shall have the right to enter premises of the other
party  during  normal  business  hours with respect to the  performance  of this
Agreement, subject to all plant rules and regulations,  security regulations and
procedures and U.S. Government clearance requirements if applicable.


                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  SEVERABILITY

                  In the event that any one or more of the provisions  contained
herein shall for any reason be held to be unenforceable in any respect under the
law of any state or of the United States of America, such unenforceability shall
not affect any other provision of this Agreement,  but this Agreement shall then
be construed as if such  unenforceable  provision or  provisions  had never been
contained herein.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                                   TERMINATION

                  [                          *

















<PAGE>


                ]


                                   ARTICLE 12
                             TERMINATION FOR DEFAULT

                  [                                            *
















<PAGE>
                                                                         ]

                                   ARTICLE 13
                          NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

                  13.1       Each party to this Agreement may find it beneficial
                             to  disclose to the other  party  documentation  or
                             other   information   which  the  disclosing  party
                             considers   proprietary    ("Information").    Such
                             Information  may include but is not limited to, its
                             engineering,  hardware, software or other technical
                             information, and financial, accounting or marketing
                             reports,   analysis,   forecasts,   predictions  or
                             projections.

                  13.2       It  is  specifically  understood  and  agreed  that
                             Information  disclosed  pursuant to this  Agreement
                             shall be considered  proprietary  either because 1)
                             it has been developed  internally by the disclosing
                             party,  or because 2) it has been  received  by the
                             disclosing party subject to a continuing obligation
                             to maintain the confidentiality of the Information.

                  13.3       Information  that is  provided  in a tangible  form
                             shall be marked in a manner to indicate  that it is
                             considered  proprietary  or  otherwise  subject  to
                             limited  distributions   provided  herein.  If  the
                             Information  is  provided  orally,  the  disclosing
                             party   shall   clearly   identify   it  as   being
                             proprietary at the time of  disclosure,  and within
                             fifteen  (15)  working  days  of  such  disclosure,
                             confirm  the  disclosure  in  writing  to the other
                             party.

                  With respect to Information, the party to whom the Information
is disclosed and its employees shall:

                           a.       hold  the   Information  in  confidence  and
                                    protect it in  accordance  with the security
                                    regulations  by  which it  protects  its own
                                    proprietary  or  confidential   information,
                                    which it does not wish to disclose;
<PAGE>

                           b.       restrict   disclosure  of  the   Information
                                    solely  to  those  employees  with a need to
                                    know  and  not  disclose  it  to  any  other
                                    persons;

                           c.       advise those employees of their  obligations
                                    with respect to the Information; and

                           d.       use the Information  only in connection with
                                    implementing    this    Agreement   and   in
                                    continuing   discussions  and   negotiations
                                    between the parties  concerning the Service,
                                    except as may  otherwise  be agreed  upon in
                                    writing.

                  13.4       In the event a party to whom  Information  has been
                             disclosed  proposes to disclose that Information to
                             an outside consultant or agent, it shall obtain the
                             written   consent   of  the  party  from  whom  the
                             Information was originally received and arrange for
                             the  execution  by the  consultant  or agent  for a
                             nondisclosure   agreement  in  a  form   reasonably
                             satisfactory to the party from whom the Information
                             was originally received.

                  13.5       The party to whom  Information  is disclosed  shall
                             have no  obligations  to preserve  the  proprietary
                             nature of any Information that:

                            a.      was  previously  known  to it  free  of  any
                                    obligations to keep it confidential;
                            b.      is  disclosed   to  third   parties  by  the
                                    disclosing party without restriction;
                            c.      is or becomes  publicly  available  by other
                                    than unauthorized disclosure; or
                            d.      is independently  developed by the receiving
                                    party.

                  The Information shall be deemed the property of the disclosing
party and,  upon request the other party will  promptly  return all  Information
that  is  in  tangible  form  to  the  disclosing  party  or  destroy  all  such
information.

<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE 14
                             LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

                  OTHER  THAN  for  damages  resulting  from  skynet's  willfull
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence, SKYNET SHALL HAVE NO Liability With
respect  to any claim or suit,  by LORAL  ORION or by any  others,  for  damages
associated with the MATERIAL or SERVICES FURNISHED  HEREUNDER.  FURTHER,  SKYNET
WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL,  CONSEQUENTIAL,  SPECIAL,  DIRECT OR INDIRECT
DAMAGES  WHETHER  ARISING  OUT  OF  BREACH  OF  WARRANTY,  BREACH  OF  CONTRACT,
NEGLIGENCE,  STRICT TORT  LIABILITY,  OR OTHERWISE.  IN NO EVENT SHALL SKYNET BE
LIABLE FOR DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE STATED IN THIS AGREEMENT.


                                   ARTICLE 15
                            DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

               SKYNET  WARRANTS  TO LORAL  ORION THAT  SKYNET  WILL  PERFORM THE
SERVICES  DEFINED  HEREIN  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  GENERALLY   ACCEPTED   INDUSTRY
STANDARDS. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT, SKYNET,
ITS  PARENT,  THEIR  SUBSIDIARIES  AND  THEIR  AFFILIATES,   SUBCONTRACTORS  AND
SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
SERVICE OR  WARRANTY  AGAINST  PATENT,  TRADEMARK,  COPYRIGHT,  OR TRADE  SECRET
INFRINGEMENT,  AND  SPECIFICALLY  DISCLAIM  ANY WARRANTY OF  MERCHANTABILITY  OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.



<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE 16
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

                  LORAL ORION shall  indemnify and save harmless  SKYNET and its
affiliates  and  its  customers  and  their  respective   officers,   directors,
employees,  successors and assigns from and against, any and all losses, claims,
damages,  liabilities  or expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and
expenses)  (collectively  "Losses") resulting from any claim, demand, action, or
suit resulting from the  performance of Services by SKYNET under this Agreement,
other than Losses  resulting  from SKYNET'S  willful  misfeasance,  bad faith or
gross negligence.

                                   ARTICLE 17
                                     WAIVER

                  The  failure of either  party at any time to enforce any right
or remedy  available  to it under this  Agreement  with respect to any breach or
failure by the other party shall not be  construed  to be a waiver of such right
or remedy with respect to any other breach or failure by the other party.


<PAGE>
                                STATEMENT OF WORK



MARKETING AND SALES FOR LORAL ORION'S SPACE SEGMENT  CAPACITY ON THE  SATELLITES
AS FOLLOWS:


MARKETING SUMMARY

Plans,  directs,  and coordinates the marketing of LORAL ORION'S  organization's
products  and/or  services  in  consideration   with  appropriate   LORAL  ORION
management by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

o    Establish  marketing goals to ensure share of market and  profitability  of
     products and/or services.

o    Ensure revenue commitments and customer  satisfaction goals are met through
     effective marketing and planning.

o    Develop  and  execute  marketing  plans and  programs,  both short and long
     range,  including  market segment plans and strategy,  to ensure the profit
     growth and expansion of company products and/or services.

o    Identify  and  develop  effective   channels  for  distribution  and  sales
     strategy.

o    Research,  analyze, and monitor financial,  technological,  and demographic
     factors so that market  opportunities  may be capitalized on and the effect
     of competitive activity may be minimized .

o    Conduct marketing surveys on current and new product concepts.

o    Develop and  recommend  pricing  strategy for the  organization  which will
     result in the greatest share of the market over the long run.
<PAGE>
o    Define service offers from customer  requirements,  competitive  models and
     market demand.

o    Achieve  satisfactory  profit/loss ratio and share of market performance in
     relation to pre-set standards and to general and specific trends within the
     industry and the economy.

o    Identify and develop trade show participation globally, as required.

o    Evaluate market reactions to advertising  programs,  merchandising  policy,
     and product  packaging and  formulation to ensure the timely  adjustment of
     marketing  strategy  and  plans to meet  changing  market  and  competitive
     conditions.

o    Identify  requirements  for press  releases  and public  messages.  Prepare
     external executive and marketing presentations.

o    Identify opportunities for industry positioning and speaker opportunities.

o    Develop and execute the communications plan for the company in concert with
     other marketing team members.

o    Ensure effective  control of marketing  results and that corrective  action
     takes place to be certain that the achievement of marketing  objectives are
     within designated budgets.

o    Recommend changes in basic structure and organization of marketing group to
     ensure the effective  fulfillment of objectives  assigned to it and provide
     the  flexibility  to move  swiftly in relation to  marketing  problems  and
     opportunities.

o    Prepare  marketing  activity  reports,  revenue  reports and all  marketing
     budgets.  Act as interface to the business  manager on sales and  marketing
     metrics.

<PAGE>
SALES SUMMARY

Manages all sales  activities,  after  consultation with appropriate LORAL ORION
management,  primarily on the LORAL ORION fleet,  by  performing  the  following
duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

o    Develop  and update all account  plans for  customers  in  assigned  market
     segment.

o    Update sales funnel weekly. Ensure sales funnel adequately represents sales
     opportunities and quota attainment.

o    Prepare sales call plans prior to every customer meeting.

o    Develop  and  deliver   comprehensive  account  reviews  for  Loral  senior
     management to enhance executive positioning within the segment.

o    Effectively utilize sales automation tools to ensure successful  management
     of sales segment.

o    Prepare comprehensive  proposals for sales opportunities or as responses to
     formal Requests for Proposals (RFP's) or Requests for Information (RFI's).

o    Prepare and present  executive  level proposals to clients and senior Loral
     executives.

o    Attain revenue commitment and sales quota.

o    Lead  complex  negotiations  and provide  leadership  and  direction to the
     customer focused team in contract completion and implementations.

o    Direct the  activities  of the customer  focused  team to address  customer
     needs,  develop customer specific offers,  discuss and analyze customer and
     industry trends and opportunities, and resolve issues.

o    Direct  staffing,  training,  and  performance  evaluations  to develop and
     manage sales program.
<PAGE>

o    Coordinate sales distribution by establishing segments,  quotas, and goals,
     and work with  marketing team to advise  distribution  channels about sales
     and promotional techniques.

o    Assign  segment  responsibility  and  provide  sales  leadership  to  sales
     directors.

o    Analyze  sales  statistics  to formulate  policy and to assist in promoting
     sales.

o    Review market analyses to determine  customer needs,  volume  potential and
     develop sales campaigns to accommodate goals of company.

o    Articulate customer requirements to other departments in the company.

o    Represent  company  at trade  association  meetings  to  promote  satellite
     services.

o    Analyze and control expenditures to conform to budgetary requirements.

o    Assist  other  departments  within  organization  to  prepare  manuals  and
     technical  publications,  as well as sales tools,  customer  and  marketing
     communications documentation.

o    Prepare periodic sales report showing sales volume and potential sales.

o    Recommend  or  approve,   in  consultation  with  appropriate  LORAL  ORION
     management,   budget,   expenditures,   and   appropriations   for  service
     development work.





<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     (Replace this text with the legend)
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0001029850
<NAME>                        Loral Orion
<MULTIPLIER>                                     1,000
<CURRENCY>                                         US$
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          35,861
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   16,311
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,019
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               105,632
<PP&E>                                         639,446
<DEPRECIATION>                                (38,706)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,417,504
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           86,603
<BONDS>                                        931,669
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     399,091
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,417,504
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                83,398
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  151,066     
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   120
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              52,905
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              (120,693)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (1,033)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          (119,660)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 (119,660)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        


</TABLE>


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