SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-KSB
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(Mark One) [X] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __ to __
Commission file number 0-24034
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
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(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
Delaware 13-3722117
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(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. employer identification no.)
of incorporation or organization)
405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(212) 972-0070
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(Issuer's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A Common Stock,
$.001 par value per share,
one Redeemable Class A Warrant and one Redeemable Class B Warrant
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(Title of class)
Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value per share
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(Title of class)
Redeemable Class A Warrants, each Redeemable Class A Warrant entitling the
holder to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock and one
Redeemable Class B Warrant
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(Title of class)
Redeemable Class B Warrants, each Redeemable Class B Warrant
entitling the holder to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock
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(Title of class)
Check whether the Issuer: (1) has filed all reports in response to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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
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Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-B contained in this form, and no disclosure will 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-KSB or any
amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [x]
The issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year (year ended December
31, 1996) were $ None.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the issuer held by
non-affiliates of the Issuer on March 14, 1997 was approximately $1,391,000
based upon the closing price of such stock on that date.
As of March 14, 1997, 2,271,883 shares of Class A Common Stock and 855,367
of Class B Common Stock of the issuer were outstanding. See "Market for Common
Equity and Related Stockholder Matters."
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes No X
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
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PART I
Item 1. Description of Business
(a) Business Development
Skysat Communications Network Corporation (the "Company" or "Skysat") is a
Delaware corporation incorporated in July 1992. The Company, which is engaged in
research and development of both conventionally powered and microwave powered
unmanned aircraft/airship systems (collectively, the "Skysat System" or the
"System") for commercial applications in the telecommunications industry,
completed its initial public offering ("IPO") in June 1994 and July 1994,
resulting in net proceeds (after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and expenses of the IPO) of approximately $6,090,000 from the sale
of 1,265,000 Units (the "Units"), including exercise of the underwriter's
overallotment option. Each Unit consisted of one share of Class A Common Stock,
$.001 par value (the "Class A Common Stock"), one Redeemable Class A Warrant
(the "Class A Warrants") and one Redeemable Class B Warrant (the "Class B
Warrants"). Each Class A Warrant entitles the holder to purchase, at an exercise
price of $7.75 (subject to adjustment), one share of Class A Common Stock and
one Class B Warrant, and each Class B Warrant entitles the holder to purchase,
at an exercise price of $12.50 (subject to adjustment), one share of Class A
Common Stock, in each case until June 15, 1999. The Company's principal
executive office is located at 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10174
and its telephone number is (212) 972-0070.
The Company is currently seeking additional financing or a strategic or
other arrangement in order to continue its planned activities for the current
fiscal year. See Item 6, "Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of
Operation."
(b) Business of Issuer
General
The Skysat System is intended to consist of three primary components, (1) an
unmanned airship or other similar vehicle which will be able to remain on
station for long periods of time (the "Platform"), (2) a ground control station
which will have three principal functions (a) to relay communication signals to
and from the ground communications network, (b) to provide command and control
functions to the Platform and (c) to monitor the systems and components of the
platform to insure efficient operations and to avoid malfunctions (the "Ground
Station") and (3) initially a wireless telecommunications payload. The Company's
plans provide that the Platform will hover at an altitude of approximately
70,000 feet and will carry communications payloads primarily for use with mobile
cellular or personal communication services ("PCS"), fixed wireless services,
and eventually with television and radio broadcasting.
The telecommunications industry currently employs several methods to
transmit telephone, television and digital data signals from one point to
another. Such methods include copper wire, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables,
microwave networks, cellular transmitter/receivers located on
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buildings or on towers and communications satellites. The Company believes that
if successfully developed, the Skysat System may offer a more cost-effective,
and in certain instances, more economical alternative to these current
transmission methods. The Skysat System may be used by telecommunications
providers to offer service to areas which are currently not accessible, either
because there are an insufficient number of users to justify the construction of
a telecommunications infrastructure utilizing currently available technology or
the geographic terrain inhibits the effectiveness of the currently available
technology. The Company also believes that the Skysat System may be used as a
repeater point (a device which automatically retransmits received signals
generally in an amplified form) for high capacity telecommunications service
providers. In addition, the Skysat System may also be utilized as part of a
Fast-Start program, allowing for quicker implementation and penetration into
certain markets.
Based on its research and development, the Company's primary focus has
evolved from its initial research and development of a microwave powered
aircraft Platform to a conventionally powered aircraft Platform to a
conventionally powered airship Platform. It is the Company's belief that the use
of an airship as the primary Platform is the most economically viable approach
and the one which will be the first to be deployed commercially.
The Company entered into an agreement (the "JPL Agreement") with the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory ("JPL"), an affiliate of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration ("NASA")/California Institute of Technology ("Caltech")
under which, in April 1994, JPL commenced research relating to certain aspects
of the first phase of development of the Skysat System ("Phase I").
During Phase I, JPL (I) developed detailed specifications and prepared a
conceptual design of the System, which includes a version where the Platform is
powered by a microwave beam transmitted from the Ground Station, and (ii)
generated an implementation plan for the second phase of development of the
Skysat System ("Phase II"), including estimates of the time and costs necessary
to complete Phase II. Phase I was completed during 1996 and a final completed
report was delivered to Skysat during 1996. The Company has reviewed the
implementation plan and determined to proceed with Phase II, focusing primarily
on the utilization of a conventionally powered airship as the primary Platform.
Phase II activities are expected to include (I) generating a detailed design of
the Skysat System utilizing the airship and (ii) building a pre-production
Skysat System in accordance with such design. Accordingly, in order to conduct
any future development of the Skysat System, the Company will require
substantial additional funds and a new agreement with JPL or other entities
capable of conducting such activities. In the event Phase II activities are
completed successfully, the Company would commence commercial operations. During
1996, JPL was also tasked by the Company to do research and development work on
telecommunications payload development with regard to utilization in a
conventionally- powered airship Platform as well as a microwave-powered
Platform. The Company paid JPL $331,000 in 1995 and $50,000 in 1996.
In July, 1994, the Company entered into an agreement with B&R Designs,
Inc. (the "B&R Designs Agreement"), pursuant to which B&R Designs agreed to
construct a platform based on glider technology. Under the B&R Designs
Agreement, Skysat will retain all intellectual property rights in and to the
Platform. Due to cost overruns, work by B&R Designs under the B&R Designs
Agreement was scaled back and ultimately suspended entirely during 1995. In
March 1997, the Company and B&R Designs entered into a settlement agreement
under which B&R will provide to Skysat a comprehensive report detailing the
research and development at B&R.
In March 1996, the Company entered into a Cooperative Agreement with
Av-Intel
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Inc., ("Av-Intel") - a research and development company which has developed
lighter than air technology that could be applied to airborne platforms with a
capability to fly at altitudes above 50,000 feet for periods of several months
(the "Av-Intel Agreement"). These airships have certain characteristics that
would make them effective as communications platforms. Skysat and Av-Intel are
working together to verify the viability and cost-effectiveness of the Av-Intel
designed airship platform. Under the Av-Intel Agreement, the Company and
Av-Intel will establish a joint venture company to complete a comprehensive
design leading to a telecommunications production prototype.
In 1996, the Company and Av-Intel modified the Av-Intel Agreement. As
additional consideration for a monthly fee of $38,000 paid to Av-Intel by
Skysat, Av-Intel granted to Skysat a royalty of three percent of the gross
revenues of any exploitation of the Av-Intel technology, which shall remain in
effect until a definitive joint venture agreement is signed. The Company and
Av-Intel are currently negotiating the terms of a definitive joint-venture
agreement.
The Company has also utilized the services of consultants and other
entities on a limited basis.
Most of the components of the Skysat System are commercial products and
all of the components have had limited testing for use in the airship platform.
The Skysat System will still require additional development and testing and
substantial additional financing and will need to overcome substantial
regulatory and technical burdens before the Company will be in a position to
commence commercial activities. Because of the development that must be
conducted with respect to the Skysat System during Phase II, the Company cannot
accurately predict at this time how much time or funding will be necessary to
complete the development or commercialization of the Skysat System.
Industry Background
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the telecommunications industry
experienced significant growth. Advances in technology have lowered per-unit
communications costs and increased product reliability. As a result, new service
providers and new and enhanced products and services have emerged, providing an
increasingly broad range of voice, data, video and multi-media communications
services. In addition, regulatory initiatives have enhanced competition,
permitting the opening of new markets and providing incentives for the
development of new products. Dramatic advances have occurred in the fixed and
mobile transmission media, which have substantially affected telecommunications
services and, to a lesser extent, television and radio broadcasting. Fixed
Transmission Media
Several methods are currently available to transmit telecommunications
information between two points including, among others, copper wires, coaxial
cable, fiber optic cable, satellite systems mobile cellular systems and
land-based fixed wireless systems. Each method has distinct costs and advantages
over currently available transmission media to stationary (fixed) locations.
Copper wires are the traditional transmission media most familiar to consumers.
However, for high-volume and long-distance transmissions, copper wires have more
limited capacity, cost and reliability and may not be as cost effective as other
methods. Fiber optic cable is best suited to high-volume, point-to- point, short
or long distance links where its advantages in capacity, quality and security
justify the long lead time and high cost to obtain rights of way and equip and
install a network. Satellite systems are often a preferred media for
transmitting to a large geographical or multipoint area. Satellite systems use
very low level microwave power transmission technology and are well suited for
rapid
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introduction of service in remote areas or where land-based alternatives, such
as copper wire or fiber optic cable are unavailable. However, satellite systems
require a sizable initial capital investment to build and launch. Land-based
mobile cellular and fixed wireless radio systems can be quickly and easily
installed, require relatively low initial capital investment and can be upgraded
and expanded over time. However, land-based cellular and fixed wireless systems
typically require signal repeater towers every 20 to 30 miles, and are subject
to extensive government licensing and frequency coordination to prevent signal
interference among various users. Increasing cellular fixed wireless systems are
being used in areas where wired or cable systems are uneconomical to deploy.
Complete communications systems are rarely based solely on one of the
above-described media. Transmission is normally routed through a combination of
systems to increase cost effectiveness within the telecommunications network.
Mobile Transmission Media
New and emerging mobile services including cellular telephone service, PCS
and satellite-based voice and data services have triggered rapid growth in
mobile telephone service during the last 15 years. Mobile cellular telephone
service is one of the fastest growing market segments within the wireless
communications industry.
The United States wireless communications industry was established as a
result of FCC action during the 1980s to provide high-quality, high-capacity
communications services to vehicle-mounted and hand-held portable telephones and
other two-way radio units. Today, cellular telephone service is capable of
providing high-quality, high-capacity communications to and from vehicle-mounted
and hand-held mobile telephones. A large, properly designed cellular system is
capable of handling thousands of telephone calls at any given time, and is
therefore capable of servicing hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Depending
upon system design and interference from topographical and man-made obstacles,
cellular telephone systems generally are capable of providing transmission
quality within their service area comparable to conventional landline
telephones.
The FCC has licensed PCS, an alternative form of wireless telephone
service. PCS growth and implementation is expected to be similar to the current
generation of portable telephones. The FCC also recently authorized the use of a
mobile satellite system. This satellite system is expected to deliver voice and
data services to mobile subscribers in geographic areas not served by cellular
or other land-based mobile radio services. In addition, several companies are
preparing to provide wireless phone, data and facsimile service by relaying
wireless signals off already orbiting satellites and linking telephones,
computers and pagers almost anywhere on earth.
The Skysat System
The Skysat System will consist of three primary components, the Platform
and the Ground Station, and initially, a Wireless Telecommunications Payload.
The initial platform will be powered by conventional engines which will provide
long duration flight which could last up to 90 days, at an altitude of
approximately 70,000 feet. The Company anticipates that each Skysat System will
have a communications coverage area of up to 125,000 square miles and the
ability to carry at least 2,000 pounds of payload.
The Platform is a geostationary, unmanned flexible airship on which
wireless telecom systems for analog and digital wireless technology can be
deployed depending on regional market
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demand. On-going industry advances in smart antennas and low weight components
provide the opportunity to serve over 10,000 simultaneous users (300,000
subscribers) from a single antenna on the Airship at very low capital and
operating costs compared to satellite or ground based wireless or wireline
services. Users of the Skysat System will be able to communicate directly with
the Platform using existing low cost handsets and terminals over a 125,000
square mile area (200 mile radius from the Airship). Coverage to the full 300
mile line of sight (280,000 square miles) can be provided with a hybrid network
incorporating cellular towers or low power VSATs that relay calls to the
Platform. A regional Skysat System will incorporate two Platforms, one in
geostationary position at approximately 70,000 feet and the other at a mooring
site/ground operating location ready to replace the first Platform on station.
Ground operations include airship operations management, maintenance and
upgrading of the airship, telecom system switching and operations, and
interconnection to the local telecom network. The Skysat System is estimated to
provide wireless services for approximately $200 capital cost per subscriber
with wireless telephone services of approximately ten cents per minute.
Company Development Strategy
During Phase I, the Company in conjunction with JPL, developed the
detailed specifications (functional and performance) and prepared a conceptual
design of Skysat System and generated an implementation plan for Phase II,
including estimates as to the amount of time and costs required to complete
Phase II. Phase II is currently underway with the development of detailed
specifications and a plan to build a pre-production prototype.
Based on its research and development, the Company's primary focus has
evolved from its initial research and development of a microwave powered
aircraft Platform to a conventionally powered aircraft Platform to a
conventionally powered airship Platform. It is the Company's belief that the use
of an airship as the primary Platform is the most economically viable approach
and the one which will be the first to be deployed commercially.
In addition, the Company is (I) developing plans for complying with
government regulations and for obtaining approvals required to proceed with the
development and testing of the Skysat System, (ii) continuing business
development activities and (iii) seeking additional financing and additional
technologies either through joint ventures, licensing, other collaborative
arrangements, debt or equity financing or otherwise.
The Company believes that if the Skysat System is successfully developed,
its initial application will be in the telecommunications industry and it is
possible that the System may be utilized for various telecommunication,
surveillance, and other activities as follows:
Fixed Communications
Markets are emerging in both developed and developing countries where
advances in communications are directly linked with improved standards of
living. These countries represent target markets where Skysat plans to develop
partnerships with local governments and/or the existing communications
suppliers. With partnerships established, Skysat will deliver, install and
operate Systems. Recent breakthroughs in wireless technology and enlightened
government policies are creating the necessary conditions for highly profitable
telecommunications investment opportunities throughout the world. For example,
there are more than 80 countries where telecommunication
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penetration is less than 1%. These countries represent a potential multi-billion
dollar marketplace for new wireless networks. These opportunities are made more
attractive by World Bank and IMF policies which foster economic liberalization
and encourage governments to seek outside investments. This evolving economic
environment coupled with higher costs and the longer lead time for installing
land-based networks in less densely populated markets provides unique
opportunities in which the Skysat system will be particularly effective and
profitable. In relation to telephone use, the capital cost of the Skysat system
compared with satellite or land-based wireless systems shows that the capital
cost per subscriber in less densely populated regions is about $200 compared to
approximately $1000 for these other systems. The comparison with conventional TV
and cable broadcast services also shows significant economic advantages.
The Skysat System is intended to operate at a significantly lower altitude
than satellite systems thereby shortening the time, distance and power required
to send and receive signals. In addition, the Company believes that the lower
altitude of the Skysat System (compared to satellites) may also significantly
reduce the costs of both the requisite airborne and ground radio equipment.
Further, the Skysat System's technology should be simpler and less expensive
than satellite systems.
The Company believes that the Skysat System could offer potential cost
savings and be simpler to construct than conventional ground based cellular and
microwave systems. Cellular and microwave systems require repeater tower
locations at least every 20 to 30 miles and more in densely populated areas. It
is time consuming, expensive and often geographically impossible to obtain real
estate for microwave repeaters that are properly positioned and free from
electronic interference.
Mobile Communications
The Company believes that the Skysat System may be able to be used as an
adjunct or as an alternative to mobile radio systems in unserved areas or for
carrying transmissions between cell sites of mobile radio systems. The Skysat
System may also have potential applications for use in the PCS infrastructure.
PCS utilizes low power, high frequency radio microwaves to transmit voice
signals to and from battery operated phones. PCS technology requires a
significant number of cells within an area to provide adequate coverage. PCS
signals are sent to and from transmitter antenna stations which are smaller,
cheaper and easier to install than cellular stations. These transmitter/antenna
sites take months to acquire and build into a viable core network before service
can begin. In addition, the location of these sites is currently not done on a
cost-effective basis relating to traffic density. The Skysat System could be
used as a Fast-Start Network while the land-based sites are built. Sales would
be commenced earlier, and as calling patterns and traffic density are
determined, this information would help determine the location of ground-based
sites more effectively.
Television and Radio Programming
The Company believes that the Skysat System may also be used to broadcast
television and radio signals to receivers located within a 600 mile diameter
below the Platform. Using the Skysat System for broadcasting could be a
less-expensive alternative to satellite-based broadcasting. The Skysat System is
expected to require lower power levels and smaller, less expensive antennas for
subscribers and to a more selective area than existing satellite systems. In
underdeveloped areas, such as third world countries and Latin America, the
Skysat System is expected to be an economically viable alternative or complement
to satellite systems. The Company also believes that the Skysat System could be
competitive with television and radio stations because of its potential ability
to
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transmit a greater number of programs to a broader coverage area than a single
television or radio station.
Surveillance and Other Activities
The Company believes that the Skysat System may also have potential
applications in surveillance, early warning, emergency communications, drug
enforcement, military surveillance and reconnaissance and imaging (mapping)
activities. The Skysat System could be used along international borders or
crisis areas to monitor indications of early warning of hostile activities. The
Skysat System could provide a less-expensive, safer and more mobile alternative
to current surveillance systems. The Skysat System's 24-hour constant monitoring
capability will be an added advantage.
Manufacturing and Suppliers
The Company does not own or lease any manufacturing or assembly facilities
and has little current manufacturing or assembly experience or capabilities. The
Company intends to manufacture subsystems of the Skysat System through
arrangements with others. The Company intends to assemble the Skysat System
directly, and will be required to raise substantial additional capital, attract
and retain experienced personnel, acquire or lease an assembly facility,
purchase or lease equipment and comply with government regulations with respect
to its assembly and test facilities. The Company will continue to depend upon
subcontractors to manufacture and deliver certain components of the Skysat
System in a timely and satisfactory manner. If the Company retains third parties
for manufacturing of the Skysat System or any of its components, which is
currently likely, it will be substantially dependent upon such third parties to
develop and deliver the Skysat System in a timely manner and on a competitive
basis. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in entering
into any such arrangements with others on acceptable terms or at all.
After completion of the design and testing of the Skysat System the
Company intends to develop production contracts with subsystem subcontractors.
The Company's ability to meet customers' schedule for delivery of the Skysat
System will depend upon whether the suppliers of such components and subsystems
can manufacture the components and subsystems in a timely manner. In addition,
the Company currently does not have written agreements with any suppliers of
components and subsystems. The Company may encounter shortages in parts,
components, or other elements vital to the manufacture, assembly and sale of the
Skysat System. Although the Company believes there are a number of manufacturers
of such components and subsystems, there can be no assurance that such
components and subsystems will be of acceptable quality and available to the
Company in sufficient quantity or at acceptable prices. Furthermore, there can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to establish a commercial
relationship with any such supplier of the necessary components or subsystems in
which case it may be required to suspend or curtail the manufacture of the
Skysat System which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Marketing
The Company may market, sell or lease the Skysat System directly or
through contractual arrangements with others to major telecommunications and
broadcast companies and equipment manufacturers in the United States and
internationally for use in connection with, among others, cellular or PCS
communications and television and radio broadcasting. In addition, the
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Company will rely on telecommunications equipment companies for the development
of the payload technology and such efforts may be substantial and create delays
in the Company's efforts to complete the Skysat System. In connection with the
Company's proposed sale or lease of the Skysat System to third world countries,
the Company may seek to have the Skysat System certified by the World Bank or
regional development banks to qualify for infrastructure development financing.
The Company believes that such qualification will increase the possibility of
utilizing the Platform for government sponsored communications infrastructure
projects in developing countries. While the Company believes the Skysat System,
when commercially available, will be usable in the telecommunications area, and
possibly in other areas, there can be no assurance that the Skysat System will
ever be utilized for such applications or that the Company will be successful in
entering any of these markets.
Competition
The Company is aware of a number of large, well-capitalized companies
which are developing alternative aircraft and communications systems which would
be competitive with the Skysat System. Competition is increasing among providers
of aircraft and telecommunications equipment and systems and the Company
believes that new competitors will emerge in the future. However, the Company is
not aware of any competitor which is currently developing or marketing a product
similar to the Skysat System for telecommunications or any other applications.
However, the Skysat System and the services expected to be provided will compete
with alternative telecommunications transmission methods, including among
others, fiber optic cable, land-based microwave systems, broadcasting stations,
mobile radio systems and satellites. Many of the Company's potential
competitors, both domestic and international, have significantly greater
financial, technological, manufacturing, marketing, operating and other
resources and stronger proprietary positions than the Company. In addition,
certain of the Company's potential competitors, including large providers of
telecommunications services to which the Company intends to market its services,
may have technological capabilities that would allow them to develop new systems
or to modify or expand their current systems rather than utilize the Skysat
System. Furthermore, the Company's business may be adversely affected if
potential competitors begin operations or expand existing operations into the
Company's proposed markets before it is able to commercialize the Skysat System.
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid change and is characterized
by constant technological innovation. There can be no assurance that future
technological advances will not result in improved products or services that
could adversely affect the Company's proposed business or that the Company will
be able to develop and introduce competitive uses for the Skysat System and to
bring such uses to market in a timely manner.
The Company believes that the Skysat System, if successfully developed,
may be a cost competitive and reliable adjunct systems or alternatives to many
transmission media and providers of telecommunications services. The Skysat
System could offer (I) lower initial capital expenditures compared to
conventional telecommunications services, particularly in less densely populated
regions, (ii) a potential link in the cellular chain and augmentation of
existing systems, and (iii) the ability to provide a Fast-Start capability to
cellular and PCS license holders to generate revenue while they build out their
ground-based infrastructure.
The Company believes one of the advantages that may be offered by the
Skysat
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System is that the cost should be less than certain other current communications
systems including land-based microwave systems, satellite systems and land-based
broadcast systems. The Company also believes that other potential advantages of
the Skysat System could be that (I) its payload can be easily maintained,
modified and reconfigured for different applications and for changing customer
needs, (ii) it will not require a space launch thereby eliminating launch risks,
(iii) it may be retrieved and relaunched (unlike satellites), (iv) it will be
able to be quickly deployed, and (v) it should be able to emit comparatively
stronger signals with less time delay due to its lower altitude than satellites.
Patents and Proprietary Rights
Patent Applications
The Company has filed two United States patent applications relating to
the Skysat System, one related to the Microwave Platform (the "Aircraft
Application") and a second application related to the entire Skysat System (the
"System Application"). The Aircraft Application is directed to a
microwave-powered, high-altitude aircraft having a specific configuration for
efficient flight with low power requirements. The Aircraft Application,
therefore, relates to the Microwave Platform. The System Application is directed
to an overall Skysat System including the combination of an aircraft, or high
altitude communication platform, and microwave-powered system for the aircraft
and communication platform. The Company also intends to file other patent
applications on inventions developed in the course of continuing research and
development efforts, in particular the research and development efforts
conducted by the Company in conjunction with JPL. Such applications will either
be owned by or licensed to the Company.
The Company is the owner of the Aircraft and System Applications. Both
applications were filed on October 28, 1993 with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office ("USPTO"). In October 1994, foreign patent applications for the
Aircraft and Systems Applications were applied for pursuant to the Patent
Cooperation Treaty. In 1996, the Company received notification that the Aircraft
Application was allowed by the USPTO and it was issued as a patent. The Company,
due to financial considerations, elected to let the System Application lapse.
There can be no assurance that the claims in the United Stated System
Application and the foreign applications (or any other application filed by or
on behalf of the Company) will be allowed or result in an issued patent. In
addition, even with these patents issued, there can be no assurance that others
have not misappropriated the Skysat System technology without the Company's
knowledge, or that others have not independently developed similar technology
before their issuance, or that others will not design around the issued claims
resulting from such applications. Caltech Agreement
Caltech Agreement
The Company has entered into an agreement with the California Institute of
Technology (the "Caltech Agreement") in connection with the JPL Agreement. Under
the JPL Agreement, Caltech may elect to retain title to certain innovations,
inventions, discoveries or improvements (collectively, "Subject Inventions")
made in connection with the JPL Agreement. The Caltech license divides Subject
Inventions into the following categories: (I) Subject Inventions attributable to
Caltech employees (the "Caltech Inventions"), and (ii) Subject inventions
jointly attributable to the Company's employees and Caltech employees ("Joint
Inventions"). Under the Caltech license, the Company will be granted an
irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license to
Caltech Inventions and a royalty-free, exclusive, worldwide license
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to Joint Inventions. In addition, the Company has an option to acquire an
exclusive, worldwide license to any Caltech Inventions. Such exclusive license
would be royalty bearing (at the rate of two percent of the selling price
attributable to the portion of the components of the Skysat System utilizing
such Caltech Inventions). With respect to the Subject Inventions, Caltech has
reserved an irrevocable royalty-free, nonexclusive, nontransferable license in
favor of itself, including JPL, for education and research purposes and in favor
of the United States government and on behalf of any foreign government where
certain treaties apply, for non-commercial and governmental purposes.
Rectenna Technology
The Company is aware that a company holds a patent on a Rectenna
technology relating to reception of microwave energy by antennas and the
conversion of such energy to electrical power. The Company has not yet designed
the Rectennas to be used in the Skysat System and does not know to what extent
it will be limited by such patent in its ability to develop an adequate Rectenna
which will be suitable for use in the Skysat System. There can be no assurance
that the Company and JPL will be able to develop a suitable Rectenna without
infringing such patent. In the event that the Company's Rectenna infringes such
patent, the Company will be required to obtain a license from such other company
and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain such a
license on acceptable terms or at all. If the Company is unable to either
develop a Rectenna without infringing such patented technology, or license the
necessary technology, the Company may be unable to successfully develop the
Skysat System.
Rectenna Patents
In 1995, Caltech filed a patent application which is currently pending
with the USPTO related to Rectenna technology regarding a dual polarized heat
spreading rectenna. In 1996, Caltech filed a second patent application in
connection with the Rectenna technology regarding controlling multiple ground
antennas to produce maximum powered on a microwave powered airplane.
Even though a patent may be issued to or for the benefit of the Company
(i.e., a patent owned by another but licensed, exclusively or non-exclusively to
the Company), challenges may be instituted by others as to the validity or
enforceability of such patent. Such challenges may arise in the federal courts
or in the USPTO. The cost of litigation to uphold the validity and
enforceability of a patent can be substantial. In addition, since patent
applications are maintained in secrecy until the patents issue, and since
publication of discoveries in the scientific literature tends to lag behind
actual discoveries and the filing of patent applications (although no exhaustive
search of prior art has been conducted), there can be no assurance that Skysat
was the first inventor of the inventions described in the patent applications.
There can be no assurance that the Skysat System or any application of the
Company's technology will not infringe the patents or proprietary rights of
others, or that licenses can be obtained by the Company under reasonable terms.
Further, there can be no assurance that challenges will not be instituted
against the Company for infringement of the patents or proprietary rights of
others, or that it will not be necessary to institute actions to defend or
enforce the patent and proprietary rights of the Company against others. The
cost of any such litigation can be substantial.
The Company believes that obtaining foreign patents may be more difficult
than obtaining domestic patents because of differences in patent laws. The
Company recognizes that its patent position may be stronger in the United States
than abroad. In addition, the protection provided
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by foreign patents, if obtained, may not provide the level of protection
provided by domestic patents. In some cases, the Company may rely on trade
secrets to protect its innovations. There can be no assurance that trade secrets
will be established or that others will not independently develop similar or
superior technology. The Company requires employees, directors, consultants and
others to whom confidential information has been or will be disclosed, to agree
to keep the Company's proprietary information confidential. However, there can
be no assurance that such agreements will be complied with or will be
enforceable.
Trade name, Trademark and Service Mark Rights
The Company is the owner of the trade name Skysat Communications Network
Corporation. On July 9, 1993, the Company filed an intent-to-use application in
the USPTO to register the service mark Skysat for use in connection with
communications, surveillance, and atmospheric and environmental monitoring
services. The application must undergo examination by the USPTO both at the
intent-to-use stage, and again following the Company's submission of proof of
use of the mark. In addition, third parties can oppose registration of the
Company's service mark. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company
will receive a registration. Furthermore, even after the Company does receive a
service mark registration, third parties may still seek to cancel such
registration on the basis, inter alia, of prior rights established in the
service mark or a mark confusingly similar thereto.
In November 1993, the Company received a letter from counsel for SkyTel
Corporation ("SkyTel") challenging the Company's right to use the SKYSAT service
mark. Counsel for the Company contacted counsel for SkyTel Corporation in an
attempt to resolve the dispute, however, SkyTel never responded with information
to support its claim, and the Company did not pursue the matter further. On
January 24, 1995, the Company's mark was published for opposition. SkyTel has
filed an extension of time to oppose the Company's application and has contacted
the Company requesting that the Company withdraw its application or limit the
scope of services covered by the application. The Company believes that SkyTel
does not have a valid claim. The Company is currently negotiating with SkyTel to
resolve this matter and may have to agree to limit its use of the service mark
in connection with a settlement agreement. If a resolution cannot be reached,
there is a risk that SkyTel would oppose the Company's registration of SKYSAT or
would initiate litigation to prevent its use. If necessary, the Company could
change its name without serious consequences. SkyTel has asserted its right to
bring an action against the Company to enjoin the Company's use of the Skysat
mark, but expressed its willingness to amicably resolve the matter. However, if
SkyTel were to prevail in any action commenced against the Company, the Company
would have to change its name and may be liable to SkyTel for damages and
attorneys' fees.
Government Regulation
The Company's research and development activities are, and the production,
marketing and operation of the Skysat System will be, subject to regulation by
numerous governmental authorities in the United States including the FCC and the
FAA. Foreign governments will also regulate the development, production,
marketing and operation of the Skysat System in their countries. In addition,
the Skysat System must conform to domestic and international requirements
established to avoid interference among users of microwave frequencies and to
permit interconnection of equipment.
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A. Federal Communications Commission
In the United States, radio emissions are regulated by the FCC pursuant to
the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. All radio emissions must be licensed
by the FCC. The FCC has allocated radio emissions in the frequency bands between
10 kilohertz and 400 gigahertz to various services and uses and has adopted
rules governing the technical and operating characteristics of such services.
The Company or its customers will need to obtain FCC licenses for its proposed
communications services, as well as the command and control telemetry links. It
is anticipated that most of the Company's customers will already have a license
for the telecommunications service to be deployed on the Platform. However,
there can be no assurance that any required FCC or foreign government approvals
for use of required frequencies will be granted. The process of obtaining
approvals from the FCC or other regulatory authorities can be costly, time
consuming, and subject to unanticipated delays. In addition, the extent of
potentially adverse government regulations which might arise from future
administrative action or legislation cannot be predicted. Any failure to obtain,
or delay in obtaining such approvals, could adversely affect the Company's
ability to market or operate the Skysat System.
The degree of difficulty in obtaining these licenses will vary with the
type of service proposed. In some cases, the existing frequency allocations of
the FCC may allow the type of services proposed by the Company and the degree of
difficulty in obtaining FCC permission to use such frequency allocations may be
minimal. The Company believes, for example, that point-to-point communications
for long distance telephoning and for intermediate links in cellular and PCS
networks may fall within the category of minimal rule changes. The FCC's
processes, however, permit intervention by private companies which could create
delay and uncertainty. In other cases, such as some of the services that may be
delivered directly to end users including broadcast television and cellular and
PCS mobile radio services, the FCC may have to conduct extensive rulemaking
proceedings to allocate the spectrum and to adopt rules. Those processes could
be lengthy. Competitors of the Company could intervene and create delay and
uncertainty. There can be no assurance that such rules will be adopted at all or
in a timely manner.
B. Federal Aviation Administration
Under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (the "Act"), the FAA
has broad jurisdiction to regulate air commerce to promote safety. The Company
would be subjected to FAA regulation governing the design, materials,
workmanship, construction and performance of airships, civil aircraft, aircraft
engines, propellers and appliances and components. Pursuant to Title VI of the
Act, the FAA has the authority to, among other things, establish standards and
regulations, (I) which apply to any civil aircraft/airships to be operated in
air commerce, (ii) governing the inspection, servicing and overhaul of
aircraft/airships, and (iii) governing the activities of airmen who operate or
work on aircraft/airships. Under other provisions of the Act, the FAA has the
authority to regulate the National Air Space System and the Air Traffic Control
System ("ATC"). The Act also provides for the regulation of aircraft which are
manufactured in foreign countries but operated in United States air commerce.
The United States is a party to international bilateral and multilateral
treaties and executive agreements governing the operation of aircraft/airships
and restricting or limiting economic opportunities in foreign countries which
need to be examined on a country by country basis before planning to use
aircraft/airships for commercial purposes in any foreign country. The Company
will need certificates and approvals from the FAA for testing and commercial
use.
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C. Environmental Considerations
Microwave transmissions associated with the microwave powered version of
the Skysat System may affect human health and the environment. The Company does
not believe that any federal environmental permits or approvals are required
under current law for such microwave transmission; however, microwave
transmissions may be considered to significantly affect the quality of the human
environment under the NEPA process. The Company cannot, however, predict whether
it may be required to comply with standards which may be promulgated in the
future under the Federal Clean Air Act or other federal environmental statutes
with respect to microwave transmissions. The Company may also be required to
obtain environmental permits or approvals from individual states, to comply with
federal or state health and safety requirements and to obtain state or local
building or zoning permits or approvals. The Company cannot predict whether and
to what extent state or federal agencies will impose such permit or approval
requirements. In addition, the effects of nonionizing radiation on human health
have been the subject of personal injury claims against the operators of
electric transmission facilities. Similar claims could be brought against
operators of microwave transmission facilities.
Product Liability
The Company's business may expose it to potential product liability risks
which are inherent in the testing, manufacturing, marketing, sale and lease of
the Skysat System. If available, product liability insurance generally is
expensive. The Company does not currently have any product liability insurance
and there can be no assurance that it will be able to obtain or maintain such
insurance on acceptable terms or that any insurance, if obtained, will provide
adequate protection against potential liability. In the event of a successful
suit against the Company, a lack or insufficiency of insurance coverage could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operations. If the
Company enters into a joint venture or other arrangement with respect to the
Skysat System or if the Company licenses the Skysat System, the Company intends
to require such joint ventures or licensees to maintain product liability
insurance. However, there can be no assurance that such joint venturers or
licensees will agree or will be able to obtain or maintain insurance on
acceptable terms, or that if such insurance is obtained, it will be adequate to
cover the Company's potential liability.
Research and Development; Collaborative Agreements
The Company has expensed approximately $2,034,000 and $976,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995, respectively, on research
and development. In 1996 and 1995, the Company paid $50,000 and $331,000,
respectively, to JPL under the JPL Agreement relating to research and
development for the Skysat System, which is being amortized over the term of the
JPL Agreement. In 1996, the Company paid $331,000 to Av-Intel under the Av-
Intel Agreement. Substantially all of the Company's research and development
expenditures to date have related to the development of the Skysat System.
During 1997, JPL will continue to provide technical support related to the
Platform and telecommunications development.
In 1995, the Company paid $250,000 to B&R Designs under the B&R Designs
Agreement, relating to the work performed on the Platform. The expenditures
incurred with respect
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to the Platform, including the amounts pursuant to the B&R Designs Agreement,
had been capitalized and not expensed as research and development costs, as the
Company believed the Platform to have alternative future uses. Under the
settlement agreement, B&R Designs was granted full rights to the equipment
purchased and developed under the B&R Designs Agreement. Therefore, the
capitalized costs of the physical equipment, $1,354,000 were expensed in 1996.
On May 1, 1995, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement (the
"Cambridge Joint Venture") with Cambridge Research Associates ("Cambridge"), a
high technology research and development company based in McClean, Virginia.
Under the Cambridge Joint Venture, the Company and Cambridge will develop and
demonstrate a conventionally powered unmanned aircraft vehicle for commercial
use in the areas of point-to-point communications and remote sensing and
geo-information exploitation. Cambridge initially contributed to the joint
venture, under which the Company and Cambridge are equal partners, a third party
contract whose potential gross proceeds of up to $32 million dollars would be
used toward the implementation of such a program. During 1995, the Company
received $145,000 under the Cambridge Joint Venture, and received an additional
$150,000 in 1996. In March 1996, the Company received notice that the third
party contract was terminated. However, negotiations are underway for a new
contract with the same third party.
In March 1996, the Company entered into a Cooperative Agreement with
Av-Intel Inc., ("Av-Intel") - a research and development company which has
developed lighter than air technology that could be applied to airborne
platforms with a capability to fly at altitudes above 50,000 feet for periods of
several months (the "Av-Intel Agreement"). These airships have certain
characteristics that would make them effective as communications platforms.
Skysat and Av-Intel are currently working together over the next several months
to verify the viability and cost- effectiveness of the airship Platform. Under
the Av-Intel Agreement, the Company and Av-Intel will establish a joint venture
and develop a comprehensive design leading to a telecommunications
pre-production airship.
In 1996, the Company and Av-Intel modified the Av-Intel Agreement. As
additional consideration for a monthly fee of $38,000 paid to Av-Intel by
Skysat, Av-Intel granted to Skysat a royalty of three percent of the gross
revenues of any exploitation of the Av-Intel technology, which shall remain in
effect until a definitive joint venture agreement is signed. The Company and
Av-Intel are currently negotiating the terms of a definitive joint-venture
agreement.
In August, 1996 the Company entered into an agreement with Thomas Kornell
to act as a technical advisor regarding avionics and other matters. Mr.
Kornell's hourly fee is paid in the form of stock options.
In September 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Siscorp,
Inc., to assist the Company in locating possible government funding for airship
business opportunities. The agreement is for a one year term at a monthly rate
of $10,000, and a grant of 25,000 stock options exercisable at $1.00 for a five
year period.
Employees
As of December 31, 1996, the Company had five full time employees,
including Martin D. Fife, its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, President and Chief Operating
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Officer. During 1997, the Company intends to hire additional employees and
retain consultants to supplement its full time work force. No employee of the
Company is currently represented by a labor union. Management considers its
employee relations to be good. The Company believes that the future success of
the Company is dependent to a significant degree on its being able to continue
to attract and retain skilled personal.
Item 2. Description of Property
The Company subleases approximately 2,500 square feet of office space in
New York City for a current base annual rental of approximately $60,000. The
existing lease expires on November 7, 1997 and may be renewed at the Company's
option for an additional year at a current base annual rental of approximately
$65,000. The Company has renewed the space on such terms. The Company believes
that this space is suitable and adequate for its current needs. The Company may,
in the future, require additional space to expand its operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company was sued on December 4, 1995, in a case styled Don L. Bouquet
v. Howard A. Foote, Martin D. Fife and Skysat Communications Network
Corporation, N.Y.Co. Civ No. 95-121604. Plaintiff claims that the Company and
two of its officers wrongfully excluded plaintiff from participating in the
Company upon its formation. The Company's time to answer against the Complaint
has been extended by stipulation to April 23, 1997. The Company is currently in
settlement negotiations with opposing counsel.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Annual Meeting
On December 30, 1996, the Company held its annual shareholder's meeting in
New York. At that meeting the shareholders elected five (5) directors for a term
of one (1) year and until the election and qualification of their successors.
The Directors elected at that meeting were Martin D. Fife, Buster Glosson,
Walter J. Burmeister, Burton I. Edelson and Coy Eklund:
For Against Abstain
--- ------- -------
Martin D. Fife 3,819,006 128,000 126,000
Buster Glosson 3,819,006 128,000 126,000
Walter J. Burmeister 3,819,006 128,000 126,000
Burton I. Edelson 3,819,006 128,000 126,000
Coy Eklund 3,819,006 128,000 126,000
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<PAGE>
Shareholders next considered management's request that the appointment of
Richard A. Eisner & Company, LLP as independent auditors for fiscal 1997, and on
the motion duly made and seconded, the shareholders ratified such appointment.
For Against Abstain
--- ------- -------
Reappointment of Richard 3,947,006 -0- -0-
A. Eisner and Company, LLP as independent Auditors
The Chairman stated that the next item of business was formal
consideration of an amendment to the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan, to
increase the shares authorized to be issued to 1,180,000, and on the motion duly
made and seconded, the shareholders ratified such appointment.
For Against Abstain
--- ------- -------
Approval of the 3,807,906 131,000 126,000
Amendment to the 1994 Stock Option Plan
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
(a) Market Information
The Company's Equity Units, Class A Common Stock, Class A Warrants and
Class B Warrants traded separately on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market under the
symbols SKATU, SKATA, SKATW, SKATZ, respectively, since the IPO was declared
effective on June 16, 1994 through March 31, 1997. Prior to that date, there had
been no public trading market for the Company's equity securities. Effective
April 1, 1997, the Company's securities were deleted from the NASDAQ Stock
Market, due to lack of compliance with both total assets and capital and surplus
requirements. The following sets forth the high and low bid price for the period
commencing January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996 as reported by NASDAQ.
Quotations reflect interdealer prices without retail mark-up, mark-down or
commission, and may not represent actual transactions.
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Units: High Low
---- ---
First Quarter ended March 31, 1996 ................. 2 3/4 3/4
Second Quarter ended June 30, 1996 ................. 2 1/2 1 3/8
Third Quarter ended September 30, 1996 ............ 1 5/8 1/2
Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 1996 ............. 1 5/8 1/2
Class A Common:
First Quarter ended March 31, 1996 ................. 1 1/2 1/2
Second Quarter ended June 30, 1996 ................ 1 3/4 7/8
Third Quarter ended September 30, 1996 ............. 15/16 3/8
Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 1996 ............. 1 1/2 7/16
Class A Warrants:
First Quarter ended March 31, 1996 ................. 13/16 3/16
Second Quarter ended June 30, 1996 ................. 13/32 3/16
Third Quarter ended September 30, 1996 ............. 5/16 1/16
Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 1996 ............ 1/8 1/32
Class B Warrants:
First Quarter ended March 31, 1996 ................. 3/8 1/8
Second Quarter ended June 30, 1996 ................. 1/4 1/8
Third Quarter ended September 30, 1996 ............. 3/16 1/16
Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 1996 ............. 3/32 1/32
Each Unit consists of one share of Class A Common Stock, one redeemable
Class A Warrant which entitled the holder to purchase one share of Class A
Common Stock at $7.75 per share and includes one redeemable Class B warrant)
and, one redeemable Class B Warrant (which entitles the holder to purchase one
share of Class A Common Stock at $12.50 per share). The warrants are exercisable
until June 15, 1999 and are subject to redemption by the Company at $.05 per
warrant, upon 30 days' written notice, based upon certain closing bid prices
over certain periods of time.
There is no established public trading market for the Company's Class B Common
Stock.
(b) Approximate Number of Equity Stockholders
Based upon information supplied from the Company's transfer agent,
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the Company believes that the number of record holders of the Company's equity
securities as of March 14, 1997 is approximately as follows:
Title of Class Number of Record Holders
-------------- ------------------------
Class A Common Stock 22
Class B Common Stock 25
Class A Warrants 13
Class B Warrants 14
The Company believes that the number of beneficial holders of the
Company's Class A Common Stock as of March 14, 1997 is in excess of 300.
(c) Dividends
The Company has never paid a cash dividend on any class of its common
stock and anticipates that for the foreseeable future any earnings will be
retained for use in its business, and accordingly the Company does not
anticipate the payment of cash dividends.
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
(A) MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Safe Harbor Statements
Any statements contained herein by the Company with regard to its
expectations as to financial results and other aspects of its business may
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company makes such
statements based on assumptions which it believes to be reasonable, the
Company's business is subject to significant risks and there can be no assurance
that actual results will not differ materially from the Company's expectations.
Accordingly, the Company hereby identifies the following important factors,
among others, which could cause its results to differ from any results which
might be projected, forecasted or estimated by the Company in any such
forward-looking statements: (i) the timely development and acceptance of the
Company's product, (ii) the achievement of development milestones by the
Company, (iii) the timely receipt of regulatory clearances required to market
the Company's proposed product, and (iv) the Company's ability to enter into
arrangements with corporate partners.
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Results of Operations - Fiscal 1996 versus Fiscal 1995
The Company is a development stage company. Since its inception in July
1992, the Company's efforts have been principally devoted to research and
development of the Skysat System and raising capital. The Company's net loss
increased by approximately $1,331,000 or 80% from $1,654,000 in fiscal 1995 to
$2,985,000 in fiscal 1996. This increase resulted from expenditures in
connection with the Av-Intel Agreement which commenced during fiscal 1996, the
write-off of previously capitalized equipment and patent costs totaling
$1,449,000, and general and administrative activities, including legal and
professional activities relating to the JPL and Av-Intel agreements, fees to
consultants and costs of raising capital which are continuing to date.
Research and development expenses increased by approximately $1,102,000 or
113% from $977,000 in fiscal 1995 to $2,079,000 in fiscal 1996. This increase
resulted from the write-off of previously capitalized equipment costs of
$1,354,000 and expenditures in connection with the Av-Intel Agreement.
General and administrative expenses increased by $189,000 or 26% from
$741,000 in fiscal 1995 to $930,000 in fiscal 1996. This increase resulted
primarily from the write-off of previously capitalized patent costs of $95,000
and increases in legal and consulting fees, insurance costs and costs of raising
capital.
The Company's research and development and general and administrative
expenses will be substantial in the foreseeable future, including substantial
expenses for the payment of salaries to officers and employees, consulting fees
and expenses related to development, including additional contemplated work with
respect to the Av-Intel Agreement and the development and construction of the
Platform. Accordingly, the Company expects to continue to incur operating losses
for the foreseeable future.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company had a working capital deficit of $(106,000) as of December 31,
1996. The Company has had no revenue and has incurred a cumulative loss through
December 31, 1996 of $7,422,000. In March 1996, the Company completed a One
Million Dollar private placement with Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
("Palomar"), whose principal business is the manufacture and marketing of
lasers, delivery systems and related products for use in medical and surgical
procedures and manufacture of electronic products. Palomar purchased 500,000
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock and a five-year Warrant to purchase
up to 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per
share.
In February 1997, the Company commenced selling in a private placement
(the "1997 Private Placement") shares of Class A Common Stock. Through April 1,
1997, 870,000
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shares of Class A Common Stock had been subscribed to at $.50 per share for a
total of $435,000 from a group of individuals, including Messrs. Fife and
Asterita, officers of the Company. For each share of stock to be issued, the
subscriber will also receive two warrants to purchase shares of Class A Common
Stock at exercise prices of One Dollar and One Dollar and Fifty Cents,
respectively. The Company expects to complete the 1997 Private Placement during
April 1997.
In the event that the Company's internal estimates relating to its planned
expenditures prove materially inaccurate, the Company may be required to
reallocate funds among its planned activities and curtail certain planned
expenditures. In any event, the Company anticipates that it will require
additional financing during fiscal 1997. There can be no assurance as to the
availability or terms of any required additional financing, when and if needed.
In the event that the Company fails to raise any funds it requires, it may be
necessary for the Company to cease operations or severely limit growth.
In connection with the IPO, certain stockholders of the Company have
agreed to transfer an aggregate of 127,875 shares of Class A Common Stock and
872,125 shares of Class B Common Stock to the Company if the Company does not
attain certain minimum earnings thresholds or if the Company's Class A Common
Stock does not meet certain minimum bid prices. The Securities and Exchange
Commission's position with respect to the release of these restrictions on the
shares held by these stockholders who are officers and other employees of the
Company is that the release of these restrictions will be treated, for financial
reporting purposes only, as compensation expense to the Company. Accordingly,
the Company will, in the event of the release of the restrictions, recognize
during the period in which the earning thresholds are met or probable of being
met or the Company's Class A Common Stock meets or is probable of meeting the
minimum bid prices, what could be a substantial one-time charge which would have
the effect of substantially increasing the Company's loss or reducing or
eliminating earnings, if any, at such time. The amount of compensation expense
recognized by the Company will not affect the Company's total stockholders'
equity. The amount of compensation expense will not be deductible to the Company
for income tax purposes. During 1997, the Company is committed to pay
approximately $310,000 as compensation for its current executive officers and
approximately $60,000 for lease payments on its facilities. At December 31,
1996, the Company had a net operating loss tax benefit carry forward for Federal
income tax purposes of approximately $2,378,000 expiring through 2011.
(B) PLAN OF OPERATION
During fiscal 1997, the Company intends to continue to conduct significant
additional research, development and testing activities related to the JPL
Agreement and the Av- Intel Agreement and additional activities in connection
with the development of the Skysat System. The development will include the
completion and testing of a pre-production airship Platform and development of
an initial customer base which is expected to result in substantially higher
operating losses. The Company does not expect to generate any revenues
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<PAGE>
until such time as the Skysat System becomes commercially available which cannot
occur until it has, among other things, obtained substantial additional funds,
completed development of the Skysat System. The Company is currently seeking
additional financing and a strategic or other arrangement in order to continue
its planned activities for the current fiscal year.
Item 7. Financial Statements
See Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1.
Item 8. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.
None.
PART III
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons, Compliance
with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
The Company's Directors and executive officers are as follows:
Name Age Position with Company
- ---- --- ---------------------
Martin D. Fife 70 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, President and Chief
Operating Officer, Treasurer
and Director
Buster Glosson 54 Vice Chairman of the Board
Anthony J. Asterita 57 Vice President - Program Development
Eddy W. Friedfeld 35 Vice President - Business Affairs, Assistant
to the Chairman and Secretary
Walter J. Burmeister 58 Director
Coy Eklund 81 Director
Burton I. Edelson 70 Director
Martin D. Fife has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since its inception and was appointed President
and Chief Operating Officer in March 1996 and Chief Financial Officer in July
1996. Mr. Fife is also a principal stockholder of the Company. Since September
1988, Mr. Fife has also served as a director of Projectavision, Inc., a public
company that developed and patented a depixilization system for use in all
large-screen rear and front view projection televisions. In 1987, Mr. Fife
founded and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Magar Inc., a private
investment
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company specializing in the development of early stage companies and management
and consulting services. From 1986 to January 1989, Mr. Fife was President of
Agremp Holdings Incorporated, an operator of storage elevators. In 1960, Mr.
Fife founded and until 1986 served as President of Fife Associates, Inc. and a
number of affiliated companies, including Galaxy Universal, Ltd., which was
engaged in the sale of chemicals and synthetic plastics. In addition, since
August 1995, Mr. Fife has been a director of Asta Funding, Inc., a company
engaged in the business of purchasing and servicing retail installment sales
contracts originated by automobile dealers. Mr. Fife is the Chief Financial
Officer of Alliance Partners, Inc., a New York and Charlotte, North
Carolina-based firm that focuses on financing international oil and power
production projects. Since January 1974, Mr. Fife has served as a director or
trustee of 13 investment funds advised by The Dreyfus Corporation.
General Buster Glosson (Ret.) has been a director and Vice Chairman of the
Board of the Company since August 1996. He has been President of Eagle, Ltd., a
venture capital and consulting firm, since September 1994. He served as an
officer in the United States Air Force from January 1965 until he retired in
September 1994. From June 1992 to September 1994, he was Deputy Chief of Staff
for Plans and Operations. From May 1991 to May 1992, he was Legislative Liaison
and director of the Air Force Issues Team. From August 1990 to May 1991, he
commanded the Air Division and was Director of Campaign Plans for United States
Central Command Air Forces, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. General Glosson is also the
Chairman and CEO of Alliance Partners, Inc.
Anthony J. Asterita has served as Vice President, Program Development of
the Company since June 1993. From December 1989 until joining the Company, Mr.
Asterita was Director of Marketing and Sales and Director of Business
Development for Ball Aerospace. From 1979 to December 1989, Mr. Asterita was
Manager of Program Development for Litton Amecom. From 1970 to 1979, Mr.
Asterita was a Program Manager at Headquarters, United States Air Force,
Pentagon and the Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Force Systems Command. Mr.
Asterita holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the
Air Force Institute of Technology and a Master of Science Degree in Systems
Management from University of Southern California.
Eddy W. Friedfeld has served as Vice President, Business Affairs,
Assistant to the Chairman and Secretary of the Company since January 1993. Since
May 1987, Mr. Friedfeld has been an attorney specializing in corporate and
securities law. Mr. Friedfeld holds a Juris Doctor degree from New York
University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College.
Walter J. Burmeister has served as a director of the Company since
February 1994 and as a consultant to the Company since January 1993. Since May
1995, Mr. Burmeister has been the President of FCI Facilicom International, LLC.
From April 1992 through May 1995, Mr. Burmeister served as the Chairman of the
Telecommunications Marketing Group, Inc. Mr. Burmeister has 30 years of
experience in the telecommunications industry, encompassing general management,
international business development, sales, information systems, network
operations, network planning and general engineering. From July 1990 to March
1992, Mr. Burmeister was Vice President for business development for Bell
Atlantic in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa where he supervised the
group responsible for worldwide sales of software and consulting services. Prior
to that, Mr. Burmeister headed the Bell of Pennsylvania sales organization,
supervised information systems operations for Bell Atlantic Corporation
telephone operating companies and headed the C&P Telephone operations staff.
From 1982 to June 1983, Mr. Burmeister worked at American Telephone & Telegraph
Corporation General Departments and Bell Communications Research (the successor
to Bell Labs for the Regional Bell Operating Companies) in distribution services
planning and in network
23
<PAGE>
planning.
Coy Eklund has served as a director of the Company since February 1994.
Since August 1987, Mr. Eklund has served as the Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Trivest Financial Services, a company engaged in the television
business. From 1938 to April 1983, Mr. Eklund served in various capacities at
the Equitable Life Assurance Society and from April 1975 to April 1983 was its
Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Eklund is also a director of Life Medical Sciences,
Inc., a public company engaged in the research and development of technologies
for use in medical applications.
Burton I. Edelson has served as a director of the Company since June 1994.
Since December 1990, Dr. Edelson has been a Research Professor and Director of
the Institute for Applied Space Research at George Washington University. He is
currently a trustee of the United States Naval Academy Foundation, a trustee of
the University Space Research Association, and a member of the Board of Advisors
of Esprit Telecom, Ltd. From August 1987 to August 1993, Dr. Edelson was a
Fellow of the Johns Hopkins Foreign Policy Institute. From 1982 to 1987, Dr.
Edelson was the Associate Administrator for the Space Science and Applications
of NASA. From 1968 to 1982, Dr. Edelson held executive positions at the
Communications Satellite Corporation. From 1947 to 1967, Dr. Edelson served as a
naval officer including several research and engineering positions.
All directors of the Company are elected by the stockholders, or in the
case of a vacancy, by the directors then in office, to hold office until the
next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company and until their successors
are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Officers are elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
Item 10. Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the aggregate cash compensation (all of
which represented salary in a each year) paid by the Company for the past two
fiscal years to Martin D. Fife, its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer. No other executive officer's
annual compensation exceeded $100,000 for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1996 and 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Compensation
Awards Securities
Other Annual Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation ($) Options/SARs (#) Compensation($)
- --------------------------- ----- ------- ------ ---------------- ---------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Martin D. Fife 1996 $120,000 -- 25,000 -- --
Chairman of the Board, CEO, 1995 $120,000 -- -- -- --
COO and Chief Financial Officer
No options or SARs have been exercised.
</TABLE>
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, the executive officers in the
aggregate were paid $310,000. No bonuses were granted in 1996.
24
<PAGE>
Director Compensation
Each of the Company's non-employee directors are paid $500 for each board
meeting. All directors are reimbursed for ordinary and necessary travel expenses
incurred in attendance at each board or committee meeting. During 1996, Mr.
Burmeister was issued 10,000 options to purchase Class A Common Stock at an
exercise price of $1.00 per share.
Employment Agreements
On April 11, 1994 the Company entered into employment agreements with
Martin D. Fife to serve as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, Anthony J. Asterita to serve as Vice President, Program Development
of the Company and Eddy W. Friedfeld to serve as Vice President, Business
Affairs, Assistant to the Chairman and as Secretary of the Company. Each
agreement is for a three year term terminating during April 1997, subject to
automatic annual renewal. Under the agreements, Messrs. Fife, Asterita and
Friedfeld receive a yearly base salary of $120,000, $90,000 and $100,000,
respectively, subject to an annual cost of living increase.
The employment agreements with Messrs. Fife, Asterita and Friedfeld
provide that each such agreement may be terminated by the Company only if such
executive officer has materially breached his obligations under the agreement,
engaged in willful misconduct against the Company or is found guilty of a felony
by a court of competent jurisdiction which, in the discretion of the Board of
Directors, will interfere with the performance of such executive officer's
duties and responsibilities or will materially adversely affect the Company.
The agreements with each of Messrs. Fife, Asterita and Friedfeld contain
confidentiality and non-competition provisions.
On June 27, 1996, the Company entered into a six month consulting
agreement with Christopher R. Seelbach, under which Mr. Seelbach will receive a
monthly fee of $10,000, and options to purchase 30,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share. Mr. Seelbach's agreement was
renewed under the same terms in December 1996.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of
the Company's Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Such
persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of
all Section 16(a) forms filed by such persons. Each of the executive officers,
directors and beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Company's stock has
complied with the requirements of Section 16(a) during fiscal 1996.
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
25
<PAGE>
The following tables sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Company's common stock as of March 14, 1997 for (i)
each of the Company's directors, (ii) each of the Company's officers, (iii) all
directors and officers of the Company as a group and (iv) each person known by
the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of its
common stock. For purposes of this Form 10-KSB, beneficial ownership is defined
in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
generally means the power to vote and/or dispose of securities regardless of any
economic interest therein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage Ownership of all
Common Stock Outstanding
--------------------------------
Number of Shares Percentage of
Name and Address of Class of of Common Stock Percent Total Class A Percent of
Beneficial Owner or Common Beneficially Owned of and Class B Total Voting
Number in Group Stock (1)(2)(3)(4) Class (3) Common Stock (3) Power (3)
- ------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------------- ----------- -------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Martin D. Fife (5) (6) Class B 494,750 57.84% 15.31% 37.18%
Class A 25,000 1.05% 0.77% 0.38%
Buster Glosson Class A 80,000 3.37% 2.48% 1.20%
Anthony A. Asterita (6) Class A 20,000 0.84% 0.62% 0.30%
Eddy W. Friedfeld (6) Class B 77,000 9.00% 2.38% 5.79%
Walter J. Burmeister (7) Class B 30,000 3.51% 0.93% 2.25%
Class A 30,000 1.26% 0.93% 0.45%
Coy Eklund (8) Class A 20,000 0.84% 0.62% 0.30%
Palomar Technologies, Inc.(4)(9) Class A 500,000 21.04% 15.47% 7.51%
Burton I. Edelson (10) Class A 20,000 0.84% 0.62% 0.30%
Magar, Inc. (5) Class B 494,750 57.84% 15.31% 37.18%
Herbert Moskowitz (5) Class B 494,750 57.84% 15.31% 37.18%
Irwin M. Rosenthal (5) Class B 494,750 57.84% 15.31% 37.18%
Malcolm Adler (11) Class A 247,750 10.42% 7.66% 3.72%
All officer/directors as group Class B 601,750 70.35% 18.62% 45.22%
( 7 persons) Class A 195,000 8.20% 6.03% 2.93%
</TABLE>
(1) All shares are beneficially owned and sole voting and investment power is
held by the persons named, except as otherwise noted. All shares owned are Class
B Common Stock and Class A Common Stock as designated above.
(2) Messers. Burmeister and Friedfeld and Magar, Inc. agreed that approximately
50% of his, her or its shares of Common Stock are subject to transfer to the
Company for no consideration upon the failure of certain conditions to occur by
certain dates. So long as such shares are subject to such conditions, the holder
may vote but not dispose of such shares.
(3) Based upon 2,271,883 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding and 855,367
shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding and includes 105,000 options and
warrants currently exercisable by certain directors and officers. Class B Common
Stock is entitled to five votes per share but is otherwise substantially
identical to the Class A Common Stock, which has one vote per share. Each share
of Class B Common Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock.
(4) Does not include an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
underlying options and warrants currently exercisable.
(5) Messrs. Fife, Moskowitz and Rosenthal are each officers, directors and
principal stockholders of Magar Inc. and own approximately 34%, 33% and 26%,
respectively, of the outstanding stock of such corporation. These individuals
may be considered to beneficially own, and to have shared investment and voting
power with respect to, all shares of Class B Common Stock owned by Magar Inc.
Information relating to shares owned by each of these individuals assumes that
each beneficially owns all shares of Class B Common Stock owned of record by
Magar Inc. The address of Messrs. Moskowitz and Rosenthal is 30 Rockefeller
Plaza, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10112.
(6) The address of Messrs. Fife, Foote, Friedfeld and Asterita is c/o Skysat
Communications Network Corporation, 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10174.
(7) The address of Mr. Burmeister is 6845 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817.
(8) The address of Mr. Eklund is Equitable Life Assurance Society, 787 Seventh
Avenue, New York, New York 10019.
(9) The address of Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. is 66 Cherry Hill Drive,
Beverly, MA 01915.
(10) The address of Mr. Edelson is Department of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052.
(11) The address of Mr. Adler is 2603 Rockefeller Avenue, Pennsauken, NJ 08110.
26
<PAGE>
Item 12. Certain Transactions
In April 1997, Messrs. Fife and Asterita participated in a private
placement in which, as of April 10, 1997, an aggregate of $435,000 was provided
to the Company. Messrs. Fife and Asterita invested $140,000 and $50,000,
respectively, and were issued 280,000 and 100,000 shares of Class A Common
stock, respectively, and 560,000 and 200,000 warrants, respectively, to purchase
Class A Common Stock at equal purchase prices of $1.00 and $1.50.
In February 1997, Messrs. Fife, Asterita, and Friedfeld each agreed to
twenty five percent salary deferments as a means of conserving capital, until
such time as additional capital is raised by the Company. As consideration for
such deferral, Messrs. Fife, Asterita, and Friedfeld were each granted stock and
warrants on the same terms as the 1997 Private Placement for each dollar
deferred. In April 1997, Messrs. Fife, Asterita, and Friedfeld were issued
10,000, 7,400, and 8,333 shares of Class A Common Stock, respectively, and
20,000, 14,800, and 16,667 warrants, respectively, to purchase Class A Common
Stock at equal purchase prices of $1.00 and $1.50.
In 1996, a $30,000 obligation which was owed to Buster Glosson as
consulting fees for services rendered prior to his appointment to the Board of
Directors were satisfied by payment of 30,000 shares of Skysat Class A Common
Stock.
PART IV
Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
See Index to exhibits on Page E-1.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the year
ended December 31, 1996
27
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
- Index -
PAGE
NUMBER
------
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS F-2
BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1996 F-3
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 AND FOR THE PERIOD
FROM COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS (JANUARY 1, 1993)
TO DECEMBER 31, 1996 F-4
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993,
1994, 1995 AND 1996 F-5
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 AND FOR THE PERIOD
FROM COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS (JANUARY 1, 1993)
TO DECEMBER 31, 1996 F-6
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-7
<PAGE>
[Letterhead of Richard A. Eisner & Company, LLP]
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors of
Skysat Communications Network Corporation
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Skysat Communications
Network Corporation (a development stage company) as at December 31, 1996 and
the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 1996 and
for the period from commencement of operations (January 1, 1993) to December 31,
1996. 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 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 enumerated above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Skysat Communications
Network Corporation as December 31, 1996, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31,
1996 and for the period from commencement of operations (January 1, 1993) to
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note A, the Company is
in the development stage and has incurred substantial losses since inception,
such losses are expected to continue for the foreseeable future while the
Company continues in the development stage. The Company will require
significant additional financing to complete its planned activities. These
factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a
going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described
in Note A. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might
result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Richard A. Eisner & Company, LLP
New York, New York
March 15, 1997
F-2
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
A S S E T S
<S> <C>
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................... 21,386
Prepaid expenses & other current assets ............................. 34,720
----------
Total current assets ............................................ 56,106
Equipment, at cost (net of $1,617 accumulated depreciation) ........... 3,193
Patent costs (Note B[6]) .............................................. 89,844
Advances for research and development (Note F) ........................ 56,710
Other ................................................................. 12,025
----------
Total Assets ...................................................... 217,878
==========
L I A B I L I T I E S
Current Liabilities:
Accrued expenses .................................................... 152,027
Contract settlement - currently payable (Note G) .................... 5,000
State taxes payable ................................................. 4,850
----------
Total current liabilities ......................................... 161,877
----------
Contract settlement - due after one year (Note G) ..................... 15,000
----------
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Notes A, B[3], C, D and K)
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 5,000,000 shares
authorized, none issued
Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 2,000,000 shares
authorized; 1,523,117 shares issued, including 872,125 forfeitable
shares and 667,750 treasury shares ................................. 1,523
Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 18,000,000 shares
authorized; 2,271,883 shares issued and outstanding, including
127,875 forfeitable shares .......................................... 2,272
Capital in excess of par value ........................................ 7,443,670
Deficit accumulated during the development stage ...................... (7,422,197)
----------
Sub-total ......................................................... 25,268
Add: stock to be issued in settlement of contract (Note G) ............ 25,313
Less: 667,750 Class B shares held in the treasury, at cost (Note D[6] ) (9,580)
----------
Total stockholders' equity ........................................ 41,001
----------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity ........................ 217,878
==========
</TABLE>
Attention is directed to the foregoing accountant's report
and the accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
Statements of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period from
Commencement
of Operations
(January 1, 1993)
Year Ended December 31, Through
----------------------- December 31,
1995 1996 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Expenses:
Research and development expenses
(Notes B[1] and C[1]) .................... 976,732 2,078,964 4,939,907
General and administrative expenses
(Note C[1]) .............................. 741,078 930,389 2,184,128
---------- ---------- ----------
Total operating expenses ................... 1,717,810 3,009,353 7,124,035
---------- ---------- ----------
Loss from Operations ......................... (1,717,810) (3,009,353) (7,124,035)
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing Costs (Income):
Interest (income) .......................... (63,567) (24,047) (145,405)
Interest expense ........................... 83,317
Amortization of deferred financing costs ... 299,000
Amortization of debt discount .............. 61,250
---------- ---------- ----------
Total financing costs (income) ............. (63,567) (24,047) 298,162
---------- ---------- ----------
NET LOSS ..................................... (1,654,243) (2,985,306) (7,422,197)
========== ========== ==========
Net loss per share of common stock (Note B[3]) (0.73) (1.14) (3.94)
========== ========== ==========
Weighted average number of common shares
and common share equivalents outstanding ..... 2,265,000 2,619,386 1,883,610
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Attention is directed to the foregoing accountant's report and to the
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value
Price ------------------------------------------------------
Per Unit Class A Class B
-------- ------------------------ -----------------------------
Shares Amount Shares Amount
--------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance - December 31, 1992
Issued for cash .............................. 2,000,000 2,000
Services contributed by stockholder ..........
Net loss - 1993 ..............................
---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1993 ................. 2,000,000 2,000
Warrants issued ..............................
Services contributed by stockholder ..........
Public offering:
Net proceeds from the public
offering of securities, June 1994 ....... $6.00 1,100,000 1,100
Conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares .......................... 247,750 248 (247,750) (248)
Net proceeds from exercise of
overallotment option, July 1994 ......... $6.00 165,000 165
Net loss - 1994 ..............................
--------- -------- ---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1994 ................. 1,512,750 1,513 1,752,250 1,752
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares 57,907 58 (57,907) (58)
Net loss - 1995 ..............................
--------- -------- ---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1995 ................. 1,570,657 1,571 1,694,343 1,694
Net proceeds from private offering (Note D[6]) 500,000 500
Issued for consulting services rendered ...... 30,000 30
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares 171,226 171 (171,226) (171)
Net loss - 1996 ..............................
--------- -------- ---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1996 ................. 2,271,883 2,272 1,523,117 1,523
========= ======== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Deficit
Capital Accumulated
In Excess During the
Of Par Development
Value Stage
---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1992
Issued for cash .............................. 243,100
Services contributed by stockholder .......... 12,000
Net loss - 1993 .............................. (184,987)
---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1993 ................. 255,100 (184,987)
Warrants issued .............................. 61,250
Services contributed by stockholder .......... 10,000
Public offering:
Net proceeds from the public
offering of securities, June 1994 ....... 5,224,285
Conversion of Class B shares to
Class A shares ..........................
Net proceeds from exercise of
overallotment option, July 1994 ......... 861,135
Net loss - 1994 .............................. (2,597,661)
---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1994 ................. 6,411,770 (2,782,648)
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares
Net loss - 1995 .............................. (1,654,243)
---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1995 ................. 6,411,770 (4,436,891)
Net proceeds from private offering (Note D[6]) 999,500
Issued for consulting services rendered ...... 32,400
Conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares
Net loss - 1996 .............................. (2,985,306)
---------- ----------
Balance - December 31, 1996 ................. 7,443,670 (7,422,197)
========== ==========
Attention is directed to the foregoing accountant's report and to the
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period from
Commencement
of Operations
(January 1, 1993)
Year Ended December 31, Through
---------------------------- December 31,
1995 1996 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss (1,654,243) (2,985,306) (7,422,197)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 4,800 13,575 24,072
Write off of fixed assets -- 1,353,945 1,353,945
Write off of patents -- 95,000 95,000
Stock to be issued in settlement of contract -- 25,313 25,313
Rent recorded as capital contribution -- -- 22,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs -- -- 360,250
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other receivables 133,303 166,697 0
Organization costs (12,000)
Prepaid expenses & other assets 564,759 65,847 (64,527)
Accounts payable and other liabilities (88,144) 319 176,878
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) operating activities (1,039,525) (1,264,610) (5,441,266)
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed assets (546,701) -- (1,367,414)
Patent costs (9,679) (1,302) (193,620)
Deposits -- -- (9,625)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) investing activities (556,380) (1,302) (1,570,659)
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable -- -- 2,151,000
Repayment of notes payable -- -- (2,450,000)
Net proceeds (deferred costs) from sale of common
stock and options (26,905) 1,032,430 7,337,311
Purchase of treasury stock -- (5,000) (5,000)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (26,905) 1,027,430 7,033,311
----------- ----------- -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,622,810) (238,482) 21,386
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 1,882,678 259,868 0
----------- ----------- -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD 259,868 21,386 21,386
=========== =========== ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Taxes paid $ 14,909 $ 15,314 $ 37,343
Interest paid $ 83,317
Fixed assets exchanged for treasury stock -- $ 4,580 $ 4,580
Supplemental disclosures of noncash financing activities
Warrants issued -- -- $ 61,250
</TABLE>
Attention is directed to the foregoing accountant's report and to
the accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE A) - The Company
Skysat Communications Network Corporation (the "Company") is a development
stage company incorporated in Delaware in July 1992. There were no operations
until January 1993 and accordingly no financial statements have been provided
for any period prior to January 1, 1993. The Company is engaged in the research
and development of a high altitude unmanned aircraft system (the "Skysat System"
or the "System") for commercial application in the telecommunications industry.
During fiscal 1997, the Company intends to continue to conduct significant
additional development and testing activities related to the JPL agreement (Note
F) and additional activities in connection with the development of the Skysat
System, including the completion of and/or the acquisition and testing of a
Platform and the exploration of the technical and economic feasibility and
viability of additional and alternative aerial vehicles, which, together with
other general and administrative expenses, are expected to result in
substantially higher operating losses.
The Company has incurred significant losses to date relating to Phase I of
the Skysat System and will require additional financing in order to continue
development of the System (i.e., Phase II). In addition, the Company has a
working capital deficit at December 31, 1996. This raises substantial doubt
about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company is
currently seeking financing or other arrangements to complete its planned
activities. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments
relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that
might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.
See Note K - Subsequent Events - regarding financing obtained subsequent
to the balance sheet date.
(NOTE B) - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
[1] Research and development:
Expenditures for research and development are charged to operations
as incurred.
[2] Income taxes:
The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.
F-7
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE B) - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (cont.)
[3] Loss per share of common stock:
Net loss per share of common stock is based on the number of common
shares outstanding, excluding forfeitable shares (Note D[5]).
[4] Statement of cash flows:
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers
all highly liquid cash investments with an original maturity of three months or
less to be cash equivalents.
[5] Depreciation and amortization:
Equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life using the
straight-line method. Organization costs are being amortized over their
estimated useful life of 5 years.
[6] Patent costs:
Patent costs are stated at cost less amortization over a 10-year
period. Due to financial considerations, the Company elected to let one
unapproved patent application lapse in 1996. This election resulted in a charge
to operations of $95,000 for previously capitalized costs.
[7] Stock-based compensation plans:
In accordance with the provisions of FAS 123, the Company accounts
for equity issuances to non-employees under stock-based compensation plans by
the fair-value-based method of accounting and for equity issuances to employees
by the intrinsic-value-based method (as provided by APB #25) (Note D[4]).
[8] 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 reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
F-8
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE C) - Related Party Transactions
[1] Research and development expenses include the following payments to
related parties in connection with platform development and telecommunications
research for the periods indicated:
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1995...... $200,000
========
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1996...... $ 98,958
========
January 1, 1993 - December 31, 1996...... $522,984
========
General and administrative expenses for the period from January 1,
1993 to December 31, 1996 and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996
included $663,250, $277,186 and $208,000, respectively, paid to three
officers/stockholders and three director/stockholders.
[2] The Company had occupied its headquarters on a rent-free basis in the
offices of a stockholder from January 1, 1993 through October 31, 1994. The
Company has reflected $12,000 and $10,000, the fair value for such space, as a
capital contribution during the periods ended December 31, 1993 and December 31,
1994, respectively.
(NOTE D) - Capitalization
[1] Class A common stock; Class B common stock:
The rights of the holders of the Class A common stock and the Class B
common stock are substantially identical, except that the holders of the Class A
common stock are entitled to one vote per share, and the holders of the Class B
common stock are entitled to five votes per share, and each share of Class B
common stock is convertible into one share of Class A common stock at any time
and automatically converts into one share of Class A common stock in the event
of any transfer other than to certain permitted transferees.
[2] Preferred stock:
The Company has authorized the issuance of 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.01 per share (Preferred Stock). The Board of Directors has
broad discretion to create one or more series of preferred stock and to
determine the rights, preferences and privileges of any such series.
F-9
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE D) - Capitalization (cont.)
[3] Warrants:
The Company, in connection with a bridge loan which was repaid from
proceeds of the public offering, has outstanding 1,150,000 Class A warrants.
Each Class A warrant is exercisable to purchase a Class A common share and a
Class B warrant at an exercise price of $7.75. Each Class B warrant will entitle
the holder to purchase, at an exercise price of $12.50, one share of Class A
common stock. The exercise prices of the warrants are subject to adjustment and
the warrants are subject to redemption in certain circumstances. The warrants
expire on June 16, 1999. The Company also issued 75,000 Class A warrants to a
shareholder as consideration for extending a note payable.
In addition, in consideration of agreeing to a waiver of certain
antidilution rights, a group of stockholders was issued an aggregate of 50,000
Class B Warrants upon completion of the IPO.
In March 1996 the Company issued unregistered warrants for 2,000,000 Class
A common shares in conjunction with a private stock offering (Note D [6]). The
warrants are exercisable at $1.00 per share.
[4] Stock option plan:
In April 1994, the Company adopted an Option Plan, pursuant to which
incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options and stock appreciation
rights to purchase up to 180,000 shares of common stock could be granted to key
employees, directors and consultants. This Option Plan was modified in December
1996 to provide for the grant of 1,180,000 options and rights. The Option Plan
does not specify a term for options to be granted; to date all options granted
have a term of five years. All options vest on the date of grant.
Prior to the IPO the Company granted nonqualified stock options under the
Option Plan to certain Company directors to purchase, at a price of $6.00 per
share, an aggregate of 60,000 shares of Class A common stock and an incentive
stock option to an officer of the Company to purchase, at a price of $6.00 per
share, 10,000 shares of Class A common stock.
During 1995, the Company granted an aggregate of 13,500 nonqualified stock
options under the Option Plan to consultants to the Company at exercise prices
of $3.50 and $6.00; during 1996, an aggregate of 54,730 nonqualified options
were granted to consultants at exercise prices of $1.00 and $1.25. All options
have a term of five years and vest on the date of grant.
F-10
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE D) - Capitalization (cont.)
[4] Stock option plan (cont.):
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 - `Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation' (SFAS #123). Such information has been determined
as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair
value method discussed in that statement. The effect of applying SFAS #123 on
the 1996 net loss is not necessarily representative of the effects on reported
net income (loss) for future years due to, among other things, (1) the vesting
period of the stock options and (2) the fair value of stock options issued in
future years. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock options issued to
directors, officers and employees been determined based upon the fair value at
the grant date consistent with the methodology prescribed under SFAS #123, the
Company's net loss for 1996 would have been approximately $3,004,000, or a loss
of $1.15 per share.
In estimating the fair value of options at date of grant, the Company has
followed the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted
average assumptions: dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 53%, risk-free
interest rate of 6.7% and expected lives of five years.
A summary of the options issued to directors, officers and employees under
the Company's Option Plan as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and changes during
the years ending on those dates follows:
1995 1996
------------------- ----------------------
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price
------ ----- ------ -----
Outstanding at beginning of year 70,000 $ 6.00 70,000 $ 6.00
Granted 0 42,500 $ 1.00
------ -------
Outstanding at end of year 70,000 $ 6.00 112,500 $ 4.11
====== =======
Options exercisable at year end 70,000 112,000
Weighted-average fair value of
options granted during the year $ .44
F-11
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE D) - Capitalization (cont.)
[4] Stock option plan (cont.):
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at December 31, 1996:
Options Outstanding
---------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
Number Average Average
Outstanding Remaining Exercise
Range of Exercise Prices at 12/31/96 Life Price
----------- ---- -----
$1.00 42,500 5.00 $ 1.00
$6.00 70,000 2.25 $ 6.00
[5] Initial public offering:
The Company received net proceeds of approximately $6,090,000 from the IPO
and the related overallotment option in June 1994. Approximately $2,450,000 of
the proceeds was utilized to retire loans payable.
The Company's public unit offering of 1,100,000 units at $6.00 per unit,
consisted of 1,100,000 shares of Class A common stock, 1,100,000 Redeemable
Class A warrants, and 1,100,000 Redeemable Class B warrants (Note D[3]).
The underwriter of the IPO purchased, for $110, an option to purchase
110,000 units at an exercise price of $8.40 per unit. The option expires on June
16, 1999.
In connection with the IPO, certain stockholders agreed to restrictions on
127,875 shares of Class A common stock and 872,125 shares of Class B common
stock (approximately 50% of the outstanding shares prior to the offering)
whereby those shares will be transferred to the Company for no consideration if
future earnings thresholds and stock prices described below are not achieved.
When, and if, the share restrictions are released, the Company will incur an
expense based on the fair market value of these shares at the time the
restrictions lapse. This expense will not be tax deductible to the Company.
The restrictions on the shares are to be released if the Company meets any
of the following earnings levels (defined as income before income taxes,
extraordinary items or any charge related to the release of shares):
F-12
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORP0RATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE D) - Capitalization (cont.)
[6] Capital stock transactions:
Fiscal Year Ending Earnings
December 31, Level
------------ -----
1997....................................... $ 5,000,000
1998....................................... 15,000,000
or if either the closing bid price of the Class A common stock averages in
excess of $18.75 per share for 30 consecutive days in the 18-month period
commencing 18 months from the effective date, or in excess of $24 per share for
30 consecutive days in the 18-month period commencing 36 months from the
effective date of the IPO. If none of the conditions are fulfilled by March 31,
1999, such shares will be contributed to the Company's capital and canceled.
In March 1996 Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., a publicly-owned company
which manufactures and markets medical laser systems, purchased from the Company
500,000 unregistered shares of Class A common stock and unregistered warrants
for an additional 2,000,000 shares for a total of $1,000,000.
In November 1996 the former president of the Company surrenndered 667,750
shares of Class B common stock in return for certain fixed assets with a net
book value of $4,580 plus payment of attorney fees of $5,000. This stock has
been recorded at a cost of $9,580 and is being held as treasury shares.
F-13
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE E) - Income Taxes
The components of the Company's net deferred tax assets are as follows:
For the
Period from
Commence-
ment of
Operations
(January 1,
Year Ended Year Ended 1993) to
December December December
31, 1995 31, 1996 31, 1996
---------- ---------- ------------
Research & development tax credits $ 65,000 $ 201,000 $ 399,000
Deferred research & development costs
for tax purposes 310,000 638,000 1,544,000
Deferred start-up costs for tax
purposes 226,000 305,000 834,000
---------------------------------------
601,000 1,144,000 2,777,000
Less: valuation allowance 601,000 1,144,000 2,777,000
---------------------------------------
$0 $0 $0
=======================================
Deferred research and development costs will be deductible when the
Company commences operations. Deferred start-up costs will be amortized for tax
purposes upon commencement of operations over a period of five years.
The Company's benefits for income taxes in the years 1995 and 1996 were
different from the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax
rate to loss before taxes because the Company has provided a 100% valuation
allowance of such asset since the likelihood of realization cannot be
determined.
F-14
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE E) - Income Taxes (cont.)
The amount available to reduce future taxable income of the Company is
subject to certain limitations. The IPO, as discussed in Note D above, caused
such limitations to apply.
(NOTE F) - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Task Plan and Caltech License
The company has entered into an agreement (the "Task Plan") under which
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory ("JPL") will develop a preliminary design of the
Skysat System and determine its technical feasibility.
Under the agreement, the Company paid JPL $331,000 in 1995 for development
work. The Company is charging research and development expense as JPL utilizes
the funds. JPL commenced its work with respect to the first phase of the
contract in April 1994 and completed it in early 1996. In addition, during 1996
JPL was tasked by the Company to do research work on telecommunications payload
development with regard to conventionally-powered and microwave-powered
platforms; the Company paid JPL $50,000 in 1996 for this research which will
continue in 1997.
JPL is an operating division of California Institute of Technology
("Caltech") which operates JPL under a contract from NASA, pursuant to which
Caltech has the right to elect to retain title to certain inventions conceived
or first actually reduced to practice during the course of the research and
development activities described in the Task Plan. The Company has entered into
a "Patent License Option Agreement" with Caltech (the "Caltech License") under
which the Company received certain rights in such inventions. Specifically,
pursuant to the terms of the Caltech License, Caltech shall own any invention
conceived or first reduced to practice by Caltech and the Company agrees to
assign to Caltech all of the Company's rights in and to any invention jointly
conceived. Caltech grants to the Company (1) an irrevocable, royalty-free,
non-exclusive, worldwide license under all of Caltech's intellectual property
rights in all Subject Inventions (as defined in the Caltech License), and (2) an
option to acquire an exclusive, worldwide license to those Inventions owned. The
exclusive license shall be royalty bearing (at the rate of 2%) with respect to
certain Inventions and royalty-free with respect to others.
(NOTE G) - Construction Agreement with B & R Designs, Inc.
In July, 1994 the Company entered into an agreement with B&R Designs, Inc.
("B&R Designs") pursuant to which B & R Designs was to assist in the development
of the
F-15
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE G) - Construction Agreement with B & R Designs, Inc. (cont.)
Platform for the microwave system. Due to disagreements and cost overruns, work
under this agreement was scaled back and ultimately suspended entirely during
1995. The Company and B & R Designs settled the amount payable under this
contract in March 1997 at $20,000 plus 30,000 shares of the Company's Class A
common stock. In return, B & R Designs will provide the Company with a
comprehensive report detailing the research and development done at B & R
Designs.
In addition, B & R Designs was granted full rights to the equipment that
had been constructed under the agreement. Previously capitalized expenditures
incurred with respect to the construction of this equipment totalling $1,353,945
were charged to operations during 1996. The Company retains all rights relating
to the research and development efforts made while the construction agreement
was in effect.
(NOTE H) - Joint Venture Agreement with Cambridge Research Associates
In January 1995, at the request of Cambridge Research Associates
("Cambridge"), a subcontractor of the Company, the Company made a loan to an
unaffiliated third party in the amount of $711,747 (the "Cambridge Loan"). In
March 1995, Cambridge assumed liability for the Cambridge Loan and repaid
$275,000 of the loan. The balance was repaid in full with interest on April 5,
1995. In addition, pursuant to an understanding between the Company and
Cambridge, the Company was reimbursed for expenses incurred during 1994 in
connection with business development and travel in the amount of $300,000.
The Cambridge Loan was made in connection with a then-pending joint
venture agreement between the Company and Cambridge which was signed on May 1,
1995 ("the Cambridge Joint Venture"). Under the Cambridge Joint Venture, the
Company and Cambridge will develop an unmanned aircraft vehicle for commercial
use in areas of communications, remote sensing and geo-information exploitation.
Cambridge initially contributed to the joint venture, under which the Company
and Cambridge are equal partners, a third-party contract whose potential gross
proceeds of up to $32 million dollars would be used toward the implementation of
such a program. In March 1996, the Company received notice that the third party
contract was terminated.
During 1995, the Company was reimbursed $311,700 for research and
development and business development expenses under the Cambridge Joint Venture.
F-16
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE I ) - Co-operative Agreement with Av-Intel, Inc.
In March 1996 the Company entered into a co-operative agreement with
Av-Intel Inc. ("Av-Intel"), a research and development company based in Ottawa,
Canada, which has developed lighter-than-air technology (stratospheric satellite
vehicles) ("SSV's") that could be applied to airborne platforms. The Company and
Av-Intel are working together to verify and test the viability and
cost-effectiveness of the SSV as a communications platform. Under the agreement,
the Company and Av-Intel will develop a comprehensive design leading to a
telecommunications production prototype.
The Company and Av-Intel subsequently modified the Co-operative Agreement
to provide for a monthly fee of $38,000 to Av-Intel in return for a royalty of
3% of the gross revenues of any exploitation of Av-Intel's technology; this
modification will remain in effect until a definitive joint venture agreement is
signed. The Company and Av-Intel are currently negotiating the terms of such an
agreement.
Research and development costs charged to operations under the
Co-operative Agreement and its modification totalled $480,815 durimg 1996.
(NOTE J) - Commitments and Contingencies
[1] Employment agreements:
Effective April 1994, the Company entered into three-year employment
agreements with four of its principal officers providing for aggregate salaries
of $420,000 which are subject to automatic annual renewal. Each contract is
subject to annual cost of living increases and bonuses based under certain
circumstances.
The Company's President resigned effective February 29, 1996, and his
employment agreement was terminated upon his resignation. Effective March 1,
1996, the Chairman was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer. The
new aggregate salary commitments for 1997 and 1998 are $310,000 per year.
[2] Sublease:
In November 1994, the Company entered into an operating sublease for its
office which expires in November 1997; the Company has exercised its option to
renew for one additional year. Minimum annual lease payments required at
December 31, 1996 are as follows:
1997 $63,000
1998 56,000
F-17
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
(a development stage company)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(NOTE J) - Commitments and Contingencies (cont.)
[2] Sublease (cont.):
Rent expense under the lease for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996 was $58,000 and $63,000, respectively.
[3] Consulting agreements:
In August 1996 The Company retained a consultant for the period of one
year to act as Technical Advisor regarding avionics and other matters as agreed.
The consultant is to be paid an hourly rate in the form of stock options plus
expenses. Options earned through December 31, 1996 totalled 13,230 (Note D[4]).
In September 1996 the Company retained a consultant to assist in locating
possible government funding for airship business opportunities. The agreement is
for one year at a monthly rate of $10,000; in addition, the consultant is to
receive 25,000 warrants for common shares exercisable for five years at $1.00
per share.
[4] Legal proceedings:
The Company was sued on December 4, 1995 by a plaintiff claiming that the
Company and two of its officers wrongfully excluded the plaintiff from
participating in the Company upon its formation. The Company is currently in
settlement negotiations with opposing counsel.
(NOTE K) - Subsequent Events
In February 1997, the Company commenced selling, in a private placement,
shares of Class A common stock. Through April 1, 1997, 870,000 Class A common
shares have been subscribed to at $.50 per share for a total of $435,000; two
officers of the Company participated in this private placement. For each share
of stock to be issued, each purchaser also will receive two warrants to purchase
Class A common shares; these warrants will be exercisable at $1.00 and $1.50,
respectively.
F-18
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Martin D. Fife
--------------------------------------
Martin D. Fife
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer,
President, Chief Financial Officer, and
Chief Operating Officer
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this Report has been signed by the
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Martin D. Fife Chairman of the Board of April 14, 1997
- --------------------------- Directors, Chief Executive
Martin D. Fife Officer, President, Chief
Financial Officer, Chief
Operating Officer, Treasurer
and Director (Principal
Executive and Financial and
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Buster Glosson Vice Chairman of the Board April 14, 1997
- --------------------------- of Directors and Director
Buster Glosson
/s/ Walter J. Burmeister Director April 14, 1997
- ---------------------------
Walter J. Burmeister
/s/ Burton I. Edelson Director April 14, 1997
- ---------------------------
Burton I. Edelson
/s/ Coy Eklund Director April 14, 1997
- ---------------------------
Coy Eklund
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
Index to Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
(1)
3.2 By-Laws of the Company.(1)
4.1 Form of Warrant Agreement among the Company, the Underwriter and
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, including forms of Class
A and Class B Warrant Certificates.(1)
4.2 Form of Stock Restriction Agreement among the Company, the Class B
Stockholders and the Underwriters.(1)
4.3 Form of Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate.(1)
4.4 Form of Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate.(1)
10.1 1994 Stock Option Plan of the Company.(1)(3)
10.2 Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between the
Company and each officer and director of the Company.(1)
10.3 Patent License Option Agreement, dated December 29, 1993, between
California Institute of Technology ("Caltech") and the Company.(1)
10.4 Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Task Plan No. 80-3742, (the "Task
Plan") including an amendment thereto dated February 15, 1994,
between Caltech and the Company.(1)
10.5 Letter Revision to JPL Task Plan No. 80-3742, dated September 19,
1994.(1)
10.6 Revision C to the Task Plan dated May 25, 1995. Letter Revisions to
the Task Plan dated December 14, 1995. (1)
10.7 Letter Revisions to the Task Plan dated May 1, 1996 and December
10, 1996. (2)
10.8 Employment Agreement between the Company and Eddy W.
Friedfeld.(1)(3)
10.9 Employment Agreement between the Company and Martin D. Fife (1)(3)
10.10 Employment Agreement between the Company and Anthony J.
Asterita.(1)(3)
10.11 Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Walter J.
Burmeister.(1)(3)
10.12 Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Coy Eklund.(1)(3)
10.13 Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Burton I.
Edelson.(1)(3)
10.14 Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Anthony J.
Asterita.(1)(3)
10.15 Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Martin D. Fife.
(2)(3)
10.16 Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Walter J. Burmeister
(2)(3)
10.17 Consulting Agreement, dated August 1, 1996, between the Company and
Thomas J. Kornell (2)
10.18 Consulting Agreement, dated September 1, 1997, between the Company
and Siscorp, Inc. (2)
10.19 Patent Assignment, dated December 28, 1993, by Howard A. Foote to
the Company.(1)
10.20 Agreement dated July 13, 1994 between the Company and B & R
Designs, Inc. (1)
10.21 Settlement Agreement between the Company and B&R Designs, Inc. (2)
10.22 Sublease Agreement dated November 8, 1994 between the Company and
Cleary
<PAGE>
Gotlieb Steen & Hamilton. (1)
10.23 Joint Venture Agreement between the Company and Cambridge Research
Associates, dated May 1, 1995.(1)
11 Statement re Computation of Earnings per Share.(2)
(1) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number of the
Registration Statement on Form SB- 2 (Registration No. 33-76218) filed on March
10, 1994 and declared effective on June 16, 1994 and the Forms 10-KSB filed on
April 13, 1995, and April 14, 1996.
(2) Filed herewith.
(3) Constitutes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
E-2
EXHIBIT 10.7
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS
NETWORK CORPORATION
The Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue
33rd floor
New York, New York 10174
Phone: 972-0070 Fax: (212) 972-0093
May 1, 1996
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA Management Office - JPL
4800 Oak Grove Drive, M/S 180-805
Pasadena, California 91109-8099
Attention: Ms. G. Veronica Stickley
Contracting Officer
RE: Funding in Accordance with JPL Task Plan No. 80-3742,
Revision C, dated May 25, 1995, "Microwave Beam-Powered
Aircraft System"
Dear Ms. Stickley:
Skysat Communications Network Corporation (Skysat) hereby issues the enclosed
check in the amount of $50,000 for the continuation of the work effort.
Attachment A, "Funding Profile," increment 5., a copy of which is attached
hereto, is revised to reflect the amount of $50,000 in lieu of $75,000. This
work will be performed within the scope of work and terms and conditions of the
NASA/Caltech Contract NAS7-1260.
Additionally, it is requested that the period of performance end date be
extended by six months from June 30, 1996 to December 31, 1996.
Your acknowledgement of this letter and check would be appreciated. If you have
any questions regarding this matter, please contact me at (212) 972-0070.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Eddy W. Friedfeld
--------------------------------
Eddy W. Friedfeld
Vice President, Business Affairs
<PAGE>
ATTACHMENT A
FUNDING PROFILE
Following is a breakdown of the Scope of Work items from Section II, Paragraph
A, of Task Plan No. 80-3742, Revision C, which JPL plans to accomplish for
SkySat Communications Corporation on a best-effort basis for each increment of
funding received. The total estimated cost for the entire effort is $2,568,000
to be provided by SkySat as follows:
Increment 1. $l,912,000 Received at JPL on March 3, 1994
Increment 2. $ 250,000 Received at JPL on December 19,1994
Increment 3. $ 256,000 Received at JPL on January 30, 1995
Increment 4. $ 75,000 Required by JPL no later than 5/31/95
Increment 5 $ 75,000 Required by JPL no later than 9/30/95
Total Funding: $2,568,000
A. JPL plans to utilize the first increment of funding to accomplish the
following Scope of Work items during the first 12 months of effort:
1. Develop a draft System Functional Requirements Document and a draft
System Specification.
2. Develop specifications for each of the subsystems and selected major
components.
3. Lead the system design team in developing a preliminary system design.
4. Prepare bimonthly technical and financial progress reports.
24
<PAGE>
[Letterhead of National Aeronautics and Space Administration]
[LOGO]
Reply to Attn of SPJ (AAC) December 10, 1996
SkySat Communications Network Corporation
Attn: Eddy W. Friedfeld
Vice president, Business Affairs
Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue, 33rd floor
New York, New York 10174
Subject: SkySat Communications Network Corporation, Letter
dated November 22, 1996
Reference: 1) JPL Task Plan No. 80-3742, Revision C, "Microwave
Beam-Powered Aircraft System," dated May 25, 1996
2) NASA/Caltech Contract NAS7-1260, Task Order RF-152,
Amendment No. 578
NASA agrees to perform the subject work on a best effort basis. The subject
Letter has been reviewed and is acceptable on the following understanding and
condition:
Period of Performance
The period of performance end date shall be extended 12 months from
December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1997.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the subject Order and Letter, all work
will be performed under the provisions of Contract NAS7-1260.
For further information, please contact Mr. Angel A. Castillo at (818) 354-1585
or the undersigned.
/s/ Robert A. Democh
- -------------------------------
Robert A. Democh
Contracting Officer
Enclosure
cc:
JPL/R.D. Young
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS [Date stamp of
NETWORK CORPORATION NASA MANAGEMENT
The Chrysler Building OFFICE - CONTRACTS
405 Lexington Avenue MANAGEMENT SECTION -
33rd floor NOV 25, 1996]
New York, New York 10174
Phone: 972-0070 Fax: (212) 972-0093
November 22, 1996
Mr. Robert A. Democh
Contracting Officer
NASA Management Office - JPL
4800 Oak Grove Drive, M/S 180-805
Pasadena, California 91109-8099
Reference: JPL Task Plan 80-3742, Task Order RF 152,
Amendment 578. "Microwave Beam-Powered Aircraft system"
Dear Mr. Democh:
You are hereby requested to extend the period of performance of the referenced
Task Plan by 12 months to December 31, 1997. This extension is necessary because
JPL is a participant in the planning of a payload development and demonstration
activity which will affect out technical direction in the next year. This
directed extension is at no additional cost, and is consistent with the scope of
work contained in the referenced Task Plan.
The foregoing has been discussed with the Program Manager, Mr. Don Kurtz.
Sincerely,
/s/ Eddy Friedfeld
Eddy Friedfeld ACCEPTED UNDER THE TERMS
V.P. Business Affairs AND CONDITIONS STATED ON
EWF/hk THE ATTACHED LETTER
cc: Martin D. Fife Accepted For:
Chairman & CEO NATIONAL AERONAUTICS &
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
In accordance with the authority
set forth in 42 U.S.C. 2473(c)(6)
/s/ Robert A Democh
ROBERT A DEMOCH
Contracting Officer DEC 10 1996
EXHIBIT 10.15
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
UNDER 1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
April 14, 1997
AGREEMENT entered into by and between Skysat Communications Network
Corporation, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in New
York, New York, and the undersigned director, officer, or employee of, or
consultant to, the Company (the "Optionee").
1. The Company desires to grant the Optionee a non-qualified stock option
under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Plan") to acquire
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value per share (the
"Shares").
2. The Plan provides that each option is to be evidenced by an option
agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the option.
ACCORDINGLY, in consideration of the premises of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, the Company and the Optionee hereby agree as
follows:
1. Grant of Option.
The Company hereby grants to the Optionee a non-qualified stock option (the
"Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the number of Shares
shown at the end of this Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth. This option shall not be treated as an incentive stock option under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code).
2. Purchase Price
The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the Shares covered by the Option
shall be the dollar amount per Share shown at the end of this Agreement.
3. Time of Exercise of Option.
The Option shall vest and become exercisable as of the date of this
Agreement. To the extent the Option is not exercised by the Optionee when it
becomes exercisable, it shall not expire, but shall be carried forward and shall
be exercisable, on a cumulative basis, until the Expiration Date, as hereinafter
defined.
4. Term of Option.
Each Option shall expire on the date shown at the end of this Agreement
(the "Expiration Date"), as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board"), which shall not be
<PAGE>
more than ten (10) years from the date of the granting thereof, subject to
earlier termination as herein provided.
5. Manner of Exercise of Option.
(a) To the extent that the right to exercise the Option has accrued and is
in effect, the Option may be exercised in full or in part by giving written
notice to the Company stating the number of Shares exercised and accompanied by
payment in full for such Shares. No partial exercise may be made for less than
one hundred (100) full shares of Common Stock. Payment may be either wholly in
cash or in whole or in part in Shares already owned by the person exercising the
Option, valued at fair market value as of the date of exercise; provided,
however, that payment of the exercise price by delivery of Shares already owned
by the person exercising the Option may be made only if such payment does not
result in a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes as determined
by the Board. Upon such exercise, delivery of a certificate for paid-up,
non-assessable Shares shall be made at the principal office of the Company to
the person exercising the Option, not less than thirty (30) and not more than
ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the notice by the Company.
(b) The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve
and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Option.
6. Non-Transferability.
The right of the Optionee to exercise the Option shall not be assignable or
transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and the Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the
Optionee only by him or her. The Option shall be null and void and without
effect upon the bankruptcy of the Optionee or upon any attempted assignment or
transfer, except as hereinabove provided, including without limitation any
purported assignment, whether voluntary or by operation of law, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition contrary to the provisions hereof, or levy of
execution, attachment, trustee process or similar process, whether legal or
equitable, upon the Option.
7. Representation Letter and Investment Legend.
(a) In the event that for any reason the Shares to be issued upon exercise
of the Option shall not be effectively registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), upon any date on which the Option is
exercised in whole or in part, the person exercising the Option shall give a
written representation to the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1
and the Company shall place an "investment legend", so-called, as described in
Exhibit 1, upon any certificate for the Shares issued by reason of such
exercise.
(b) The Company shall be under no obligation to qualify the Shares or to
cause a registration statement or a post-effective amendment to any registration
statement to be prepared for the purposes of covering the issue of the Shares.
2
<PAGE>
8. Adjustments on Changes in Capitalization.
Adjustments on changes in capitalization and the like shall be made in
accordance with the Plan, as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
9. No Special Employment Rights.
Nothing contained in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed or
deemed by any person under any circumstances to bind the Company to continue the
employment of the Optionee for the period within which this Option may be
exercised. However, during the period of the Optionee's employment, the Optionee
shall render diligently and faithfully the services which are assigned to the
Optionee from time to time by the Board or by the executive officers of the
Company and shall at no time take any action which directly or indirectly would
be inconsistent with the best interests of the Company.
10. Rights of a Shareholder.
The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any
Shares which may be purchased by exercise of this Option unless and until a
certificate or certificates representing such Shares are duly issued and
delivered to the Optionee. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan,
no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
11. Withholding Taxes.
Whenever Shares are to be issued upon exercise of this Option, the Company
shall have the right to require the Optionee to remit to the Company an amount
sufficient to satisfy all Federal, state and local withholding tax requirements
prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such Shares. The
Company may agree to permit the Optionee to withhold Shares purchased upon
exercise of this Option to satisfy the above-mentioned withholding requirement;
provided, however, no such agreement may be made by an Optionee who is an
officer or director within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, except pursuant of a standing election to so withhold
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option, such election to be made in the
form set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto and to be made no less than six (6) months
prior to the date of such exercise. Such election may be revoked by the Optionee
only upon six (6) months prior written notice to the Company.
3
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed,
and the Optionee has hereunto set his or her hand, all as of the date and year
first above written.
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK OPTIONEE
CORPORATION
By /s/ Martin D. Fife /s/ Walter J. Burmeister
---------------------------- -----------------------------
Title: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Signature
Name: Walter J Burmeister
-------------------------
(Printed)
Address: 6845 Wilson Lane
----------------------
Bethesda Md. 20817
------------------------------
###-##-####
------------------------------
Social Security Number
10,000
------------------------------
Number of Shares
$1.00
------------------------------
Purchase Price Per Share
March 26, 2007
------------------------------
Expiration Date
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Gentlemen:
In connection with the exercise by me as to ________ shares of Common
Stock, $.00l par value per share, of Skysat Communications Network Corporation
(the "Company"), under the non-qualified stock option agreement dated April 7,
1994, granted to me under the 1994 stock option Plan, I hereby acknowledge that
I have been informed as follows:
1. The shares of common stock of the Company to be issued to me pursuant to
the exercise of said option have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and accordingly, must be held indefinitely
unless such shares are subsequently registered under the 1933 Act, or an
exemption from such registration is available.
2. Routine sales of securities made in reliance upon Rule 144 under the
1933 Act can be made only after the holding period and in limited amounts in
accordance with the terms and conditions provided by that Rule, and in any sale
to which that Rule is not applicable, registration or compliance with some other
exemption under the 1933 Act will be required.
3. The Company is under no obligation to me to register the shares or to
comply with any such exemptions under the 1933 Act.
4. The availability of Rule 144 is dependent upon adequate current public
information with respect to the Company being available and, at the time that I
may desire to make a sale pursuant to the Rule, the Company may neither wish nor
be able to comply with such requirement.
In consideration of the issuance of certificates for the shares to me, I
hereby represent and warrant that I am acquiring such shares for my own account
for investment, and that I will not sell, pledge or transfer such shares in the
absence of an effective registration statement covering the same, except as
permitted by the provisions of Rule 144, if applicable, or some other applicable
exemption under the 1933 Act. In view of this representation and warranty, I
agree that there may be affixed to the certificates for the shares to be issued
to me, and to all certificates issued hereafter representing such shares (until
in the opinion of counsel, which opinion must be reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to counsel for the Company, it is no longer necessary or required)
a legend as follows:
"The shares of common stock represented by this certificate have
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), and were acquired by the registered holder, pursuant
to a representation and warranty that such holder was acquiring
such shares for his own account and for investment, with no
intention to transfer or dispose of the same in violation of the
registration requirements of the Act. These shares may not be
sold, pledged, or transferred in the absence of an effective
registration statement under the Act, or an opinion of counsel,
which opinion is
5
<PAGE>
reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Company, to the effect
that registration is not required under the Act."
I further agree that the Company may place a stop order with its Transfer
Agent, prohibiting the transfer of such shares, so long as the legend remains on
the certificates representing the shares.
Very truly yours,
6
EXHIBIT 10.16
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
UNDER 1994 STOCK OPTION PLAN
NON-QUALIfIED STOCK OPTION
April 14, 1997
AGREEMENT entered into by and between Skysat Communications Network
Corporation, a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in New
York, New York, and the undersigned director, officer, or employee of, or
consultant to, the Company (the "Optionee").
1. The Company desires to grant the Optionee a non-qualified stock option
under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Plan") to acquire
shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value per share (the
"Shares").
2. The Plan provides that each option is to be evidenced by an option
agreement, setting forth the terms and conditions of the option.
ACCORDINGLY, in consideration of the premises of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, the Company and the Optionee hereby agree as
follows:
1. Grant of Option.
The Company hereby grants to the Optionee a non-qualified stock option (the
"Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the number of Shares
shown at the end of this Agreement on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth. This option shall not be treated as an incentive stock option under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code).
2. Purchase Price.
The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the Shares covered by the Option
shall be the dollar amount per Share shown at the end of this Agreement.
3. Time of Exercise of Option.
The Option shall vest and become exercisable as of the date of this
Agreement. To the extent the Option is not exercised by the Optionee when it
becomes exercisable, it shall not expire, but shall be carried forward and shall
be exercisable, on a cumulative basis, until the Expiration Date, as hereinafter
defined.
4. Term of Option.
Each Option shall expire on the date shown at the end of this Agreement
(the "Expiration Date"), as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board"), which shall not be
<PAGE>
more than ten (10) years from the date of the granting thereof, subject to
earlier termination as herein provided.
5. Manner of Exercise of Option.
(a) To the extent that the right to exercise the Option has accrued and is
in effect, the Option may be exercised in frill or in part by giving written
notice to the Company stating the number of Shares exercised and accompanied by
payment in full for such Shares. No partial exercise may be made for less than
one hundred (100) full shares of Common Stock. Payment may be either wholly in
cash or in whole or in part in Shares already owned by the person exercising the
Option, valued at fair market value as of the date of exercise; provided,
however, that payment of the exercise price by delivery of Shares already owned
by the person exercising the Option may be made only if such payment does not
result in a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes as determined
by the Board. Upon such exercise, delivery of a certificate for paid-up,
non-assessable Shares shall be made at the principal office of the Company to
the person exercising the Option, not less than thirty (30) and not more than
ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the notice by the Company.
(b) The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve
and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of the Option.
6. Non-Transferability.
The right of the Optionee to exercise the Option shall not be assignable or
transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and the Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the
Optionee only by him or her. The Option shall be null and void and without
effect upon the bankruptcy of the Optionee or upon any attempted assignment or
transfer, except as hereinabove provided, including without limitation any
purported assignment, whether voluntary or by operation of law, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition contrary to the provisions hereof, or levy of
execution, attachment, trustee process or similar process, whether legal or
equitable, upon the Option.
7. Representation Letter and Investment Legend.
(a) In the event that for any reason the Shares to be issued upon exercise
of the Option shall not be effectively registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), upon any date on which the Option is
exercised in whole or in part, the person exercising the Option shall give a
written representation to the Company in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1
and the Company shall place an "investment legend", so-called, as described in
Exhibit 1, upon any certificate for the Shares issued by reason of such
exercise.
(b) The Company shall be under no obligation to qualify the Shares or to
cause a registration statement or a post-effective amendment to any registration
statement to be prepared for the purposes of covering the issue of the Shares.
2
<PAGE>
8. Adjustments on Changes in Capitalization.
Adjustments on changes in capitalization and the like shall be made in
accordance with the Plan, as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
9. No Special Employment Rights.
Nothing contained in the Plan or this Agreement shall be construed or
deemed by any person under any circumstances to bind the Company to continue the
employment of the Optionee for the period within which this Option may be
exercised. However, during the period of the Optionee's employment, the Optionee
shall render diligently and faithfully the services which are assigned to the
Optionee from time to time by the Board or by the executive officers of the
Company and shall at no time take any action which directly or indirectly would
be inconsistent with the best interests of the Company.
10. Rights of a Shareholder.
The Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any
Shares which may be purchased by exercise of this Option unless and until a
certificate or certificates representing such Shares are duly issued and
delivered to the Optionee. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan,
no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
11. Withholding Taxes.
Whenever Shares are to be issued upon exercise of this Option, the Company
shall have the right to require the Optionee to remit to the Company an amount
sufficient to satisfy all Federal, state and local withholding tax requirements
prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates for such Shares. The
Company may agree to permit the Optionee to withhold Shares purchased upon
exercise of this Option to satisfy the above-mentioned withholding requirement;
provided, however, no such agreement may be made by an Optionee who is an
officer or director within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, except pursuant of a standing election to so withhold
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option, such election to be made in the
form set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto and to be made no less than six (6) months
prior to the date of such exercise. Such election may be revoked by the Optionee
only upon six (6) months prior written notice to the Company.
3
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed,
and the Optionee has hereunto set his or her hand, all as of the date and year
first above written.
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK OPTIONEE
CORPORATION
By: /s/ Eddy W. Friedfeld /s/ Martin D Fife
--------------------------- -----------------------------
Title: ASSISTANT TO THE CHAIRMAN Signature
Name: Martin D Fife
------------------------
(Printed)
Address: 405 Lexington Avenue
--------------------
New York, NY 10174
------------------------------
------------------------------
Social Security Number
25,000
------------------------------
Number of Shares
$1.00
------------------------------
Purchase Price Per Share
March 26, 2007
------------------------------
Expiration Date
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Gentlemen:
In connection with the exercise by me as to _______ shares of Common Stock,
$.001 par value per share, of Skysat Communications Network Corporation (the
"Company"), under the non-qualified stock option agreement dated April 7, 1994,
granted to me under the 1994 stock option Plan, I hereby acknowledge that I have
been informed as follows:
1. The shares of common stock of the Company to be issued to me pursuant to
the exercise of said option have not been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and accordingly, must be held indefinitely
unless such shares are subsequently registered under the 1933 Act, or an
exemption from such registration is available.
2. Routine sales of securities made in reliance upon Rule 144 under the
1933 Act can be made only after the holding period and in limited amounts in
accordance with the terms and conditions provided by that Rule, and in any sale
to which that Rule is not applicable, registration or compliance with some other
exemption under the 1933 Act will be required.
3. The Company is under no obligation to me to register the shares or to
comply with any such exemptions under the 1933 Act.
4. The availability of Rule 144 is dependent upon adequate current public
information with respect to the Company being available and, at the time that I
may desire to make a sale pursuant to the Rule, the Company may neither wish nor
be able to comply with such requirement.
In consideration of the issuance of certificates for the shares to me, I
hereby represent and warrant that I am acquiring such shares for my own account
for investment, and that I will not sell, pledge or transfer such shares in the
absence of an effective registration statement covering the same, except as
permitted by the provisions of Rule 144, if applicable, or some other applicable
exemption under the 1933 Act. In view of this representation and warranty, I
agree that there may be affixed to the certificates for the shares to be issued
to me, and to all certificates issued hereafter representing such shares (until
in the opinion of counsel, which opinion must be reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to counsel for the Company, it is no longer necessary or required)
a legend as follows:
"The shares of common stock represented by this certificate have
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Act"), and were acquired by the registered holder, pursuant
to a representation and warranty that such holder was acquiring
such shares for his own account and for investment, with no
intention to transfer or dispose of the same in violation of the
registration requirements of the Act. These shares may not be
sold, pledged, or transferred in the absence of an effective
registration statement under the Act, or an opinion of counsel,
which opinion is
5
<PAGE>
reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Company, to the effect
that registration is not required under the Act."
I further agree that the Company may place a stop order with its Transfer
Agent, prohibiting the transfer of such shares, so long as the legend remains on
the certificates representing the shares.
Very truly yours,
6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Gentlemen:
The undersigned Optionee hereby elects and agrees that, whenever the
undersigned exercises a stock option (including any options which now or may
hereafter be granted), the Company shall withhold from the shares issuable upon
such exercise, such number of shares as is equal in value to the federal and
state withholding taxes due upon such exercise. The undersigned further
acknowledges and agrees that this election may not be revoked without six (6)
months prior written notice to the Company.
OPTIONEE
_______________________________
Signature
_______________________________
Name:
(Printed)
_______________________________
Social Security Number
7
EXHIBIT 10.17
<PAGE>
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is dated as of August 15, 1996
among SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), THOMAS J. KORNELL (the "Consultant"), an individual residing at
29605 11th Avenue, SW, Federal Way, Seattle, WA 98023-8209.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Consultant to serve as Technical
Advisor of the Company for the period and upon and subject to the terms herein
provided;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt,
adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
covenant and agree as follows:
Retention of Consultant. The Company agrees to retain the Consultant, and
the Consultant agrees to be retained by the Company, to serve as Technical
Advisor to the Company's Management. The Consultant shall have such powers and
duties as shall be designated from time to time by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Company and shall be agreed to by the Consultant, which shall
include but not be limited to the avionics of the Airship and other activities
that shall be mutually agreed to between the Company and the Consultant.
2. Term. Subject to the provisions for termination as hereinafter provided,
the Consultant's retention shall commence on the date of this Agreement
("Retention Date") and shall terminate on the one year anniversary of the
Retention Date (the "Term").
3. Compensation.
(a) During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the
Consultant options to purchase common stock of the Company (NASDAQ-SKATA) (the
"Shares") at an exercise price of One Dollar ($1.00) per share, which options
shall folly vest upon issuance. Such compensation shall be calculated based upon
a hourly rate of One Hundred Dollars ($100) per hour, such that, for each
documented hour Consultant works on behalf of the Company, the Company shall
issue to the Consultant an option to purchase to purchase up to One Hundred
(100) Shares. Such options shall be issuable not later than December 31, 1996,
and the end of each calendar quarter thereafter;
(b) The Consultant shall keep accurate records of the amount of time
he devotes to the Company's business and shall deliver a copy of those records
to the Company at the Company's request;
(c) The parties understand and agree that the foregoing sets forth the
only compensation to be paid to the Consultant for the services rendered to the
Company by the Consultant hereunder and that, except as otherwise provided
above, the Consultant shall have no right to receive any employee benefits as
are in effect generally for employees of the Company;
(d) The parties acknowledge that notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary Consultant is an independent contractor and not in any way employee
or agent of the
<PAGE>
Company.
4. Time Devoted to the Company. The Consultant shall devote such time and
attention to the business of the Company as is necessary to fulfill his duties
an responsibilities under this Agreement. The Consultant's good faith,
determination and the amount of time necessary to fulfill his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement shall be binding on the Company.
5. Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Consultant for all ordinary
and necessary pre-approved business expenditures incurred in connection with, or
in furtherance of, services rendered to the Company by the Consultant, upon
presentation and approval by the Company of expense statements, receipts or
vouchers or such other supporting information as may from time to time be
reasonably requested by the Company.
6. Termination of Consulting Arrangement.
(a) The Company, at its option, may terminate this Agreement and its
obligations to the Consultant hereunder, upon written notice to the Consultant:
(1) if the Consultant becomes physically or mentally disabled
during the Term so that he is unable to render the services required of him
pursuant to this Agreement, for a period of two (2) successive months, or an
aggregate of three (3) months in any six (6) month period, or
(2) of (A) willful misconduct against the Company, or (B)
conviction of a felony by a court of competent jurisdiction which conviction the
Board determines could adversely affect the Consultant's ability to perform his
duties and responsibilities under this Agreement or which could materially
adversely affect the business of the Company, or (C) material breach of the
Consultant's duties and responsibilities hereunder (collectively for "Cause").
Any such written notice must specify the exact cause for termination.
(b) This Agreement shall terminate if the Consultant dies during the
Term. In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Paragraph 6,
the Company shall have no further obligation to make any payments to the
Consultant except for amounts payable which have accrued, or expenses which were
incurred, to the date of termination.
7. Non-Compete; Confidentiality.
(a) During this period of the Consultant's retention pursuant to this
Agreement and for two (2) years following the daze of termination of the
Consultant's retention, unless the Company shall have terminated this Agreement
other than for Cause, the Consultant or any of his employees shall not directly
or indirectly engage in the business of or own or control any interest in
(except as a passive investor owning less than 5% of the equity securities or a
publicly owned company), or act as director of, officer of, employee of, or
consultant to, or participate in or render any service to or be in any other way
connected with, any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other
business entity directly or indirectly engaged in, participating in, or
competing with, the business carried out by the Company anywhere in the United
States. In addition, during the
2
<PAGE>
periods described above, the Consultant shall not solicit customers of the
Company for such competing business or entice employees from the Company or from
any of the Company's subsidiaries.
(b) The Consultant agrees that all trade secrets and confidential
information, including, but not limited to, such information relating to the
Company's technology, marketing plans, manufacturing plans or techniques and
confidential financial matters of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively
"Trade Secrets") which are learned by the Consultant in the course of rendering
his services to the Company or his association with the Company, and any other
Trade Secrets received, developed or hereafter learned in the course of
rendering such services, or through such association with the Company (or its
subsidiaries) shall be treated as confidential by each of them and shall not be
disclosed by them at any time during the Term or after this Agreement shall
expire or otherwise be terminated, unless (i) expressly authorized by the
Company in writing, (ii) required to be disclosed by the Consultant as a matter
of law or (iii) unless the Trade Secrets become generally available to the
public other than through disclosure by the Consultant.
(c) If the period of time or geographical areas specified in Paragraph
6 are determined to be unreasonable in any judicial proceeding, the period of
time or areas of restriction shall be reduced so that this Agreement may be
enforced in such areas and during such period of time as shall be determined to
be reasonable.
(d) The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that in view of the unique
quality of the services provided to the Company by the Consultant and the fact
that the Company's business heavily depends upon its proprietary information,
the remedies of the Company at law for breach by the Consultant of any of the
restrictions contained in Paragraph 7 will be inadequate and that the Company,
without in any way limiting any of its other rights at law or in equity, shall
be entitled to enforce such restrictions by temporary or permanent injunctive or
mandatory relief obtained in an action or proceeding instituted in any court of
competent jurisdiction without the necessity of proving irreparable damages.
8. Non-Assignment. This Agreement and all rights hereunder are personal to
the Consultant and shall not be assignable; provided, however, all of the
Consultant's rights under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the
Consultant's widow, personal representatives, successors or designees or other
legal representatives. Any person, firm or corporation succeeding to the
business of the Company by merger, purchase, consolidation or otherwise shall
assume by contract or operation of law the obligations of the Company hereunder;
provided, however, the Company shall, notwithstanding such assumption or
assignment, remain liable and responsible for the fulfillment of its obligations
under this Agreement.
9. Invalidity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision.
10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement the
parties respecting the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements
respecting the
3
<PAGE>
subject matter hereof. No amendment to this Agreement shall be deemed valid
unless in writing and signed by the parties, and no discharge of the terms of
this Agreement shall be deemed valid unless by full performance by the parties
or by a writing signed by the parties. No waiver by a party of any provisions or
conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
provisions and conditions at the same time or any prior or subsequent time.
11. Notice. Any notice, statement, report, request or demand required or
permitted to be given by this Agreement shall be effective only if in writing,
delivered personally against receipt therefor or mailed by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, to the parties at the address
hereinafter set forth, or at such other places that either party my designate by
notice to the other.
Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows:
405 Lexington Avenue, 33rd Floor
New York, New York 10174
Attention: Chairman of the Board
Notice to the Consultant shall be addressed to him at the offices of
the Consultant, with a copy to his home address at:
29605 11th Avenue SW, Federal Way,
Seattle WA 98023-8209
Such notice shall be deemed effectively given five (5) days after the
same has been deposited as certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, in a post box under the exclusive control of the United States Postal
Service.
12. Governing Law. This Agreement has been made in and shall be interpreted
according to the laws of the State of New York without any reference to the
conflicts of laws rules thereof. The parties hereto submit to the jurisdiction
of the courts of the State of New York for the purpose of any actions or
proceedings which may be required to enforce the provisions of this Agreement or
an award made in any arbitration proceeding initiated.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or caused to be executed
this Agreement as of the date first above written.
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
By:__________________________________
Martin D. Fife, Chairman of the Board
CONSULTANT
Thomas J. Kornell 12/4/96
---------------------------------
Thomas J. Kornell
4
EXHIBIT 10.18
<PAGE>
SIS CORP
The Global Connection
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBCONTRACTING AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of the 1st day of September, 1996, by and between
SISCORP, Inc., (hereafter "Professional") a corporation duly incorporated under
the laws of Delaware with primary business located at 16 Weston Street, Derry,
New Hampshire 03038 with a satellite office at 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20004 and Skysat Communications Network Corporation
(hereafter "Corporation"), a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of
Delaware, with principal offices at 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York
10174.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Corporation is engaged in both the development of "communication"
opportunities using a high altitude UAV airship and "cargo carrying"
opportunities using a low altitude UAV airship and is interested in U.S.
government participation in the funding of these developmental efforts.
WHEREAS, the Professional has extensive Legislative experience and special
skills and capabilities related to government participation in the funding of
commercial development efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to retain the services of the Professional and
the Professional desires to be retained by the Corporation; NOW, THEREFORE, the
Professional and the Corporation agree as follows:
1. Appointment and Duties of Professional
a. The Professional is appointed by the Corporation to perform on
behalf of (or for) the Corporation the following activities: The
Professional will support the Corporation's business development
activities both domestic and internationally. The Professional
will support the Corporation and its clients in interfacing with
Congressional members and staff.
In performing these functions for the Corporation, the
Professional will report directly to the Skysat Chairman/CEO or
his designated representative.
1101 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. Ste 400; Washington DC 20O04-2504
(202) 637-3840 FAX (202) 637-3860
16 Weston Street, Derry NH 03038 (603) 896-8218 FAX 603-898-3929
3120 N A1A, P2-5, N. Hutchinson IS., FL 34949 (407) 489-2524 FAX 407-468-8536
1
<PAGE>
b. The Professional is expected to perform in accordance with high
Professional and ethical standards and shall devote the time
reasonably necessary to fulfill the terms of this Agreement. The
Professional's conduct shall be in accordance with the applicable
laws, regulations, and policies of the United States. The
Professional shall seek to enhance the good reputation and best
interest of the Corporation and shall refrain from any conduct
tending to affect adversely the Corporation, its business, or its
reputation.
c. The Professional's appointment is based on representations made
by the Professional to the Corporation about the Professional's
experiential qualifications and the Corporation's knowledge of
Professional's success in dealing with the Congressional Branch
of Government. The Professional does not authorize the
Corporation to include the Professional's resume and other
information submitted to the Corporation by the Professional in
the Corporation submissions to clients or prospective clients.
d. In performing services for the Corporation, the Professional
shall be an independent contractor, not an employee or agent of
the Corporation. The professional shall have no authority to bind
the Corporation to any commitment, agreement, or promise without
the prior written authorization of an officer of the Corporation.
The Professional shall not be the beneficiary of any Corporation
employee benefits except as expressly stated in the Agreement.
2. Compensation of the professional
a. The Professional shall receive compensation at the rate of
$10,000 (ten thousand dollars) per month starting 1 September
1996.
b. The Professional shall be reimbursed for approved travel expenses
incurred on business outside the Washington D.C. area.
c. The Professional shall be responsible for taxes due on the
compensation paid by the Corporation and for any insurance,
workmen's compensation, and other charges applicable to
self-employment.
2
<PAGE>
d. All monthly compensation shall be paid to the Professional by
check payable to SISCORP and mailed to 16 Weston Street, Derry,
NH 03038 within first ten days of the month.
e. The professional shall receive 25,000 warrants to buy common
stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share for a period of
five years.
3. Term and Termination
a. This Agreement shall be in effect from the effective date first
stated above until 30 September 1997. Either party may terminate
the Agreement earlier upon thirty (30) days written notice.
4. Confidentiality
a. The Professional shall use any information disclosed to the
Professional under this Agreement only to perform services
hereunder. The Professional shall respect and take reasonable
precautions to safeguard, consistent with the Corporation
policies, the patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks,
other proprietary materials, classified documents, and other
confidential information of the Corporation and its clients.
b. During and following their term of this Agreement, the
Professional shall not disclose to others or convert to the
Professional's own use, any confidential information of the
Corporation or the Corporation's clients except insofar as such
information (i) is already known to the Professional; (ii) is or
becomes publicly known through no act of the Professional; (iii)
is rightfully received from a third party without restriction or
breach of confidentiality; (iv) is approved for public release by
written authorization of the Corporation or its clients; or (v)
is disclosed pursuant to the requirement of a court, other
governmental agency or legal proceeding.
c. All business and technical information and analysis developed in
connection with the Professional's services shall be the
exclusive property of the Corporation or its clients. All
information furnished to the Professional in connection with
3
<PAGE>
this Agreement (including any copies, notations, or computations
based on such information) shall be returned to the Corporation
at the termination of the Agreement.
d. The professional shall not acknowledge the existence of this
Agreement without prior approval of Chairman/CEO of Corporation
except as required for tax purposes. Violation of this
confidentiality will result in immediate termination of
agreement.
e. During this period of the Professional's retention pursuant to this
Agreement and for six (6) months following the date of termination of the
Professional's retention, the Professional or any of his employees shall not
directly or indirectly engage in the business of, or own or control any interest
in (except as a passive investor owning less than 5% of the equity securities or
a publicly owned company), or act as director of, officer of, employee of, or
Professional to, or participate in or render any service to or be in any other
way connected with, any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation or
other business entity directly or indirectly engaged in, participating in, or
competing with, the business carried out by the Company anywhere in the world.
In addition, during the periods described above, the Professional shall not
solicit customers of the Company for such competing business or entice employees
from the Company or from any of the Company's subsidiaries.
f. If the period of time or geographical areas specified in paragraph 4 are
determined to be unreasonable in any judicial proceeding, the period of time or
areas of restriction shall be reduced so that this Agreement may be enforced in
such areas and during such period of time as shall be determined to be
reasonable.
g. The Professional acknowledges and agrees that in view of the unique
quality of the services provided to the Company by the Professional and the fact
that the Company's business heavily depends upon its proprietary information,
the remedies of the Company at law for breach by the Professional of any of the
restrictions contained in paragraph 4 will be inadequate and that the Company,
without in any way limiting any of its other rights at law or in equity, shall
be entitled to enforce such restrictions by temporary or permanent injunctive or
mandatory relief obtained in an action or proceeding instituted in any court of
competent jurisdiction without the necessity of proving irreparable damages.
4
<PAGE>
5. Non-Assignment
This Agreement and all rights hereunder are personal to the Professional and
shall not be assignable; provided, however, all of the Professional's rights
under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Professional's successors
or designees or other legal representatives. Any person, firm or corporation
succeeding to the business of the company by merger, purchase, consolidation or
otherwise shall assume by contract or operation of law the obligations of the
Company hereunder; provided, however, the Company shall, notwithstanding such
assumption or assignment, remain liable and responsible for the fulfillment of
its obligations under this Agreement.
6. Invalidity
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall in
no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions.
7. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties respecting the
subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements respecting the subject
matter hereof. No amendment to this Agreement shall be deemed valid unless in
writing and signed by the parties, and no discharge of the terms of this
Agreement shall be deemed valid unless by full performance by the parties or by
a writing signed by the parties. No waiver by a party of any provisions or
conditions of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar
provisions and conditions at the same time or any prior or subsequent time.
8. Notice
Any notice, statement, report, request or demand required or permitted to be
given by this Agreement shall be effective only if in writing, delivered
personally against receipt therefor or mailed by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, or the parties at the addresses set forth at the
beginning of this Agreement, or at such other places that either party by
designate by notice to the other. Such notice shall be deemed effectively given
five (5) days after the same has been deposited as certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, in a post box under the exclusive control of the
United States postal Service.
5
<PAGE>
9. Indemnification
The Professional shall indemnify the Corporation against any claims, losses,
liabilities, damages and costs (including attorney fees) arising from the
Professional's breach of any representations, warranties, or covenants under
this Agreement, including but not limited to unauthorized actions taken by the
Professional in the Corporation's name and improper disclosures or uses of
confidential information.
10. Governing Law
This Agreement has been made in and shall be interpreted according to the laws
of the State of New York without any reference to the conflicts of laws rules
thereof. The parties hereto submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the
State of New York for the purpose of any actions or proceedings which may be
required to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.
SKYSAT COMMUNICATION SISCORP., Inc.
NETWORK CORPORATION
/s/ Martin D. Fife /s/ Francis R. Shottes
- --------------------------- --------------------------------
Martin D. Fife Francis R. Shottes
Chairman/CEO President
EXHIBIT 10.21
<PAGE>
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
The Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue
33rd floor
New York, New York 10174
Tel (212) 972-0070 Fax (212) 972-0093
March 10, 1997
Ms. Mary Bergstrom, Secretary
B&R Designs
1211 Lewis Avenue
Sarasota, Florida 34237
Dear Mary:
Reference is made to the Development Agreement dated as of July 13, 1994
between Skysat Communications Network Corporation ("Skysat") and B&R Designs,
Inc. ("B&R") (the "Agreement"). After discussions, Skysat and B&R have agreed to
address the progress and conclusion of the Agreement. In connection with the
termination and orderly resolution of the Agreement the parties have agreed to
enter into this letter agreement (the "Letter Agreement"):
1. A final report (the "Final Report"), detailing all the work effort that
was done by B&R under the Agreement will be prepared by B&R, with a target date
of three weeks toward completion, in accordance with the work statement set
forth as Schedule A. Such report shall include schedules and exhibits of all
work done, including but not limited to, drawings, software, and CAD files.
Skysat will pay the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Final Report,
with $2,500 upon commencement, $2,500 within two weeks of approval by Skysat of
the final version of the Final Report (the "Closing Date") and the balance,
$5,000, within 12 months of the Closing Date. Approval of the Final Report shall
not be unreasonably withheld. Failure to obtain approval over the Final Report
shall only affect paying the final balance of the fees due to B&R and shall not
have any impact upon B&R's rights regarding any dismantling of any structures or
the disposal of any of the equipment described in this Letter Agreement, nor
will it impact on Skysat's obligation to deliver title documentation, as
necessary, as set forth in Paragraph 5 hereunder, with regard to the Equipment.
2. Skysat will issue to B&R within one week of the Closing Date 30,000
shares of Skysat Class A Common stock.
3. Skysat will pay to B&R an additional cash amount of $10,000 within one
year of the Closing Date.
<PAGE>
4. B&R will retain possession of all equipment currently on the floor at
their facility (the "Floor Equipment") upon execution of this Letter Agreement.
5. B&R will retain possession of all the residual equipment related to the
M-1 aircraft purchased by Skysat in B&R's possession, which shall include but
not be limited to engines, a pressure suit, and photographic equipment
(collectively, the "Residual Equipment") (the Floor Equipment and the Residual
Equipment shall be collectively referred to as the "Equipment"). Skysat shall
provide to B&R, on B&R's demand, all documents available to Skysat evidencing
title to the Equipment, including but not limited to bills of sale, in the event
that B&R requires such documentation to evidence transfer to a third party for
sale. Upon execution of this Letter Agreement, B&R will be entitled to sell,
transfer, dismantle, destroy, "cannibalize" and otherwise safely (with
observation of environmental regulations) dispose of any or all of the Equipment
without further obligation to Skysat.
6. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, B&R will be permitted
to remove the center body from its workshop floor upon execution of this letter
agreement. It is acknowledged and agreed that such removal will effectively
destroy the center body.
7. It is agreed and acknowledged that B&R has a significant knowledge base
with regard to aeronautics and glider technology, and that such knowledge was
developed prior to the date of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it
is agreed that any invention or discovery that results from the Agreement shall
become the property of Skysat and Skysat shall have the exclusive benefit
throughout the world of all industrial and intellectual property rights therein
including, inter alia, patents, know-how embodied in such patents, registered
designs, and copyrights; and B&R shall execute all required documents and do all
other things necessary to vest the title and interest in such property rights in
Skysat at Skysat's expense.
8. B&R's retention of the Equipment and the payment of cash and stock to
B&R hereunder shall be in full settlement of all known and unknown, existing
and potential, claims and liabilities B&R may have against Skysat, its officers,
agents, employees, consultants, directors, shareholders, subsidiaries,
affiliates, successors, licensees, and assigns. B&R agrees to release and
absolutely discharge Skysat of and from any and all claims, demands, damages,
debts, liabilities, accounts, reckonings, obligations, costs, expenses, liens,
actions and causes of action of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether now
known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected (collectively, "Claims"), which B&R
now have, own or hold, or at any time heretofore ever had, owned or held, or
could, shall or may hereafter have, own or hold against or any of the above
described Skysat persons or entities based upon, related to or by reason of any
act done or omitted to be done, arising out of the business of Skysat. Skysat
hereby releases and absolutely discharges B&R, its officers, agents, employees,
consultants, directors, shareholders, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors,
licensees, and assigns of and from any and all Claims which Skysat now has,
owns, owns or holds, or at any time heretofore ever had, owned or held, or
could, shall or may hereafter have, own or hold against B&R based upon, related
to or by reason of any act done or omitted to be done, arising out of the
business of Skysat, except for B&R's continuing obligations
<PAGE>
under this Letter Agreement.
9. B&R covenants and agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly or,
for its own account or as an employee, officer, director, partner, joint
venturer, shareholder, investor, consultant or otherwise, disclose to others or
use for its own benefit or cause or induce others to do the same, any
proprietary, confidential or secret information or documents of or pertaining to
Skysat or any of its Affiliates (as defined below), including, but not limited
to, any customer lists, referral services, project proposals, methods of
operation, services, systems. financial condition, other work product records
and business plans of Skysat or any of its Affiliates, other than if such
information is readily ascertainable from public or published information or
trade sources (provided that B&R was not responsible, directly or indirectly,
for such secrets, information or processes entering the public domain without
Skysat's consent). As used herein, the term "Affiliate" means a person or
entity, directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with
Skysat. Nothing in this Letter Agreement is intended to limit, inhibit or
otherwise prohibit B&R or its affiliated entities from designing or building
yachts or aircraft or parts thereof for any person or entity, except to the
extent that such activities infringe upon any of Skysat's intellectual property
rights. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no reference in
Paragraphs 7 and 9 to lists, patents, and other such secrets and other items
referred to in such paragraphs is intended to create, by inference, a
representation by B&R that such items are valid, that such items exist, or that
B&R has received, created, or possesses such items.
10. B&R hereby covenants and agrees that it will not disclose to any person
or business entity any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Letter
Agreement or any of the contents, underlying facts, correspondence, discussions,
negotiations or prior business dealings between B&R and Skysat and any of
Skysat's parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors,
representatives, agents or employees, except as may otherwise be required by law
or the order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Skysat will not unreasonably withhold permission
from B&R to reveal all or part of this Letter Agreement to any person or entity
having a bona-fide interest in entering into a proper non-violative agreement
with B&R which would have the effect of a restriction on performance of such
contract.
11. B&R agrees that a breach or threatened breach of the covenants and
agreements set forth in paragraphs 9 and 10 above cannot reasonably or
adequately be compensated in damages and that such breach may or will cause
Skysat irreparable loss or damage. Accordingly, notwithstanding anything in this
Letter Agreement which may be to the contrary, in addition to all other rights
and remedies to which it may be entitled, Skysat shall be entitled to injunctive
or other equitable relief restraining B&R from committing or continuing such
breach. In the event Skysat commences such proceedings and it is successful, B&R
shall be obligated to reimburse Skysat for its expenses therein including its
reasonable attorneys' fees. In the event Skysat commences such proceedings and
is not successful, it shall be obligated to reimburse B&R for its expenses
therein, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
12. B&R also agrees to cooperate fully in all reasonable ways in the event
of any
-3-
<PAGE>
disputes between Skysat and any third parties, whether or not such dispute is in
litigation. B&R will be reimbursed for its reasonable costs and expenses in
connection with such cooperation, provided that such costs have been approved in
advance in writing by an officer of Skysat.
13. Other than the continuing obligations of this Letter Agreement, any and
all prior agreements, contracts, understandings or business relationships of any
sort or nature, heretofore entered into between B&R and Skysat, or among B&R,
Skysat and any third party, shall be, upon payment to B&R of the cash and stock
described herein, the same hereby are, terminated and shall be of no further
force or effect whatsoever.
14. This Letter Agreement contains the entire understanding between the
parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and may not be changed,
modified or altered except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
15. A waiver by any party of any of the terms or conditions of this Letter
Agreement, or of any breach thereof, shall not be deemed a waiver of such term
or condition for the future, or of any other term or condition hereof, or of any
subsequent breach thereof.
16. Each of the parties acknowledges that it has been represented by
independent legal counsel of its own choice throughout all of the negotiations
which preceded the execution of this Letter Agreement and that it has executed
this Letter Agreement with the consent and on the advice of such independent
legal counsel. Each of the parties further acknowledges that it and its counsel
have had adequate opportunity to make whatever investigation or inquiry that may
be necessary or desirable in connection with the subject matter of this Letter
Agreement prior to the execution hereof.
-4-
<PAGE>
17. This Letter Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be an original and together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
Please confirm your agreement with the foregoing by signing this document
in the space provided below.
Very truly yours,
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Martin D. Fife
--------------------------
Martin D. Fife
Chairman and CEO
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:
B&R DESIGNS, INC.
By:______________________________
Mary Bergstrom, Secretary
-5-
<PAGE>
17. This Letter Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be an original and together constitute one and the same
instrument.
Please confirm your agreement with the foregoing by signing this document
in the space provided below.
Very truly yours,
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Martin D. Fife
--------------------------
Martin D. Fife
Chairman and CEO
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED:
B&R DESIGNS, INC.
By: /s/ Mary Bergstrom /s/ Sven Olof Ridder
- ---------------------------- --------------------------------
Mary Bergstrom, Secretary Sven Olof Ridder, Vice President
-5-
<PAGE>
Skysat Project Final - Report Statement of Work (SOW)
B&R shall prepare a Final Report of the Skysat project. This report will be
a valuable reference document and will explain completed work; specifically (a)
what was accomplished? (b) what conclusions can be drawn? (c) what are the
top-level issues to be resolved?
The final Report shall have two sections. Section 1 is to be an overview to
explain lessons learned. Section 2 is to be a list and brief explanation of all
technical files and reference material to be attached. These will include but
not be limited to, drawings, software, CAD files, schedules, designs tests, and
exhibits of all completed work from B&R as well as external reports such as the
Dayton Aerospace Report. Clarification of each referenced item is not
necessary, but a simple cover sheet describing the attached data for each
activity is desirable.
Three copies of the final report shall be delivered to Skysat with one copy
of all reference material. The final report will be bound with clear plastic
covers on the front and rear. B&R will propose a suitable method for cataloging
and providing the single copy of the reference material in Section 2. One
unbound final report draft will be required. This draft shall include a list of
the reference material, not the material itself. Skysat will provide delivery
instructions to B&R for the draft and Final Report.
It is requested that B&R provide the draft for Skysat review no later than
two weeks after receipt of first payment; the Final Report shall be provided one
week later. Contract guidelines are as follows:
a. Contract Type - Firm Fixed Price
b. Contract Amount - $10,000
c. Payment Schedule - As set forth in attached Letter Agreement
d. Length of Effort - Three (3) weeks after receipts of order
Messrs. Tom Kornell and Tony Asterita will oversee B&R in preparing the
Final Report. They may or may not visit the B&R facility, but will stay closely
involved via fax/phone. Given B&R agreement with this SOW, B&R shall work with
Messrs. Kornell and Asterita to prepare a one-page outline of the Final Report
to be coordinated with Skysat for approval and first payment. Principal points
of contact are: Skysat - A. Asterita (703) 360-1200 and T. Kornell (206)
941-5342. B&R shall designate its point of contact and advise Skysat.
EXHIBIT 11
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11
SKYSAT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF NET LOSS PER SHARE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
----------------------------- Period from
Commencement
of Operations
(January 1, 1993)
December December to December 31,
31, 1995 31, 1996 1996
----------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net (Loss) (1,654,243) (2,985,306) ($7,422,197)
----------- ---------- -----------
Net (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders ($1,654,243) ($2,985,306) ($7,422,197)
Weighted average Class A common stock outstanding 1,512,750 2,145,664 1,109,698
Weighted average Class B common stock outstanding 1,752,250 1,473,722 1,773,912
Less: Shares subject to Stock Restriction Agreement (1,000,000) (1,000,000) (1,000,000)
----------- ---------- -----------
Weighted average number of common stock and
common stock equivalents 2,265,000 2,619,386 1,883,610
Net (Loss) per Share of Common Stock Equivalents ($0.73) ($1.14) ($3.94)
</TABLE>
