CONFIDENTIAL
HhB
192
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY F C O
TELNO 2668
OF 27113OZ AUGUST 91
AND TO PRIORITY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
TOP COPY Q DIST?
(6
037201
MDLIAN 5417
ASIASAT: PROPOSAL FOR APPOINTING BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
BNSC) AS CONSULTANT FOR LICENSING OF ASIASAT 2
a
UNDER THE OUTER SPACE ACT 1986 AS EXTENDED TO HONG KONG BY THE OUTER SPACE ACT 1986 (HONG KONG) ORDER 1990, A LICENCE IS REQUIRED FOR LAUNCHING, PROCURING THE LAUNCH OF OR OPERATING A SPACE OBJECT BY ANY BODY INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAW OF HONG KONG.
2.
THE FIRST TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LAUNCHED BY A HONG KONG BASED CONSORTIUM, ASIASAT 1, WAS LAUNCHED IN APRIL 1990 UNDER A LICENCE GRANTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDER. DURING THE LICENSING PROCESS, THE BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN PREPARING THE LICENCE CONDITIONS AND VETTING THE TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS OF ASIASAT. IN PARTICULAR, THE BNSC SOUGHT TO ENSURE THAT THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE U.K. UNDER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WERE FULLY COVERED. THERE WAS CLOSE CONSULTATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE BNSC ON BOTH THE EXTENSION OF THE OUTER SPACE ACT TO HONG KONG AND THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCE TO ASIASAT. THERE WAS ALSO A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WOULD BE FULL AND EARLY CONSULTATION WITH THE BNSC ON THE INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS IN LICENSING FUTURE SATELLITES OPERATED BY HONG KONG COMPANIES.
3.
ASIA IS NOW PLANNING TO LAUNCH A SECOND SATELLITE IN 1993. IN VIEW OF BNSC'S EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE IN SATELLITE LICENSING WE WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE THEM AS OUR CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE US ON:
(1)
(2)
TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED LAUNCH AND OPERATION OF ASIASAT 2:
AND
FINANCIAL, INSURANCE AND OTHER INDEMNITY ARRANGEMENTS OF ASIASAT 2.
INITIALLY WE ARE CONSIDERING A CONSULTANCY PERIOD OF TWO YEARS STARTING FROM 1 JANUARY 1992 TO END OF 1993.
1
PAGE
CONFIDENTIAL
с
Copied Mr. Benda ter/ Mi zapala. (012) for roment>
cements.