Shuttle Hired to Orbit 3 Intelsat Satellites

Intelsat, expressing “steadfast support” for NASA’s space shuttle program, Thursday signed a $180-million contract for three satellite launchings from shuttles, the first commercial business NASA has signed since Challenger exploded.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration said that it is too early to tell if it could meet the specified July 15, 1987, and Feb. 2, 1988, launching dates.

Intelsat, a 109-nation consortium that operates communications satellites, may cancel the two launchings without penalty if they are delayed for more than nine months. The third launching is scheduled on a standby basis, with Intelsat seeking to have an Intelsat 6 satellite placed in orbit sometime around June, 1991.