Mr K S Wong
Office of the
Telecommunications Authority
5/F & 19/F Wing Shan Tower
173 Des Voeux Road Central
Hong Kong
By fax: 852 541 9058
21 October 1993
Dear Mr Wong
PK 8/3!
BNS C
17
-p.a. 192/1.
OUTER SPACE ACT 1986:
LICENSING OF ASIASAT 2 AND APSTAR 1
I am writing in response to your letter of 9 September to give our view of the way forward on the licensing of these two satellites under the Outer Space Act 1986, in the light of our useful meeting with Mr Arena this morning.
In general, we hold the view that until we have agreed new arrangements, the procedures agreed at the time of the extension of the Outer Space Act to Hong Kong should continue to apply. These are that BNSC should continue to examine the technical and financial aspects of licence applications, including Asiasat 2 and Apstar 1, and determine the licence conditions. Naturally we intend to continue liaising closely with you on this, as we successfully did on Asiasat 1.
We understand that a proposal to handle licensing entirely in Hong Kong and to indemnify HMG is currently under consideration in Hong Kong. Once we have reached agreement on such an arrangement, we could apply it, as appropriate, to any applications then under consideration. This might well be relevant in the case of Asiasat 2.
Asiasat 2
We are examining the application you have forwarded to us and look forward to receiving copies of the additional information you have requested. Until we have seen this, we are not able to say whether any further information is necessary, but the possibility cannot be ruled out.
BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
Dean Bradley House
32 Horsenter
London SWIPEAG
Road
721 787
Telex 297121 - Jans amuck VT FAIK
dennone Dar et vitalita
25-2393
$