Word: intersputnik
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...links 62 nations around the globe and is considered a highly successful outpost of free enterprise in space. It is so successful, in fact, that Russia has decided to bid for a piece of the action. It is now planning its own global space-communications network, Intersputnik...
When and if it goes into operation, the Intersputnik satellite will weigh more than 1,000 Ibs. That would make it about four times bigger than the newest Intelsat models, the first of which is to be launched from the U.S. later this month (see cut). The Russians also say that Intersputnik will require less elaborate ground installations for transmitting and receiving, making its use less expensive than Intelsat and therefore more attractive to underdeveloped countries...
...reason. The U.S. alone accounts for more than half of the world's communications business. That leaves a relatively puny share for the U.S.S.R. The Russians' hope seems to be pinned on luring away some of Intelsat's present members with promises of greater authority in Intersputnik's affairs. Whoever joins, the Russians promise, will have equal voting rights in Intersputnik's council, whatever the country's size or share. Several smaller members of Intelsat resent the fact that management is heavily weighted in the U.S.'s favor, with voting rights allocated...
...Intersputnik's sponsors have deferred to some unspecified future date all estimates of the size of their investment and projected operating expenses. But clearly, overtaking Intelsat will be a monumentally difficult...
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