Last update: 12-September-2008

Pictures from 9th Intelsat Signatory Meeting. Howard Briley sent 20 pictures from his 1980 Ninth Intelsat Signatory meeting collection. These have been scanned and added to the Legacy section of the web site. View the pictures. The format is similar to that used for recent Social pictures. The main page shows thumbnail sized pictures that expand slightly as the cursor passes over. Click any of the images, and a new page will display the pictures in a larger format. Email webmaster@comara.org if you would like to download a full resolution picture. Note: Internet Explorer may warn about scripts on the page. The page is safe - go ahead and accept.

Correction to Eligibility for Pension from LMC

The underlined text is additional text that corrects the original text. This clarification came from additional discussions with Lockheed Martin after questions were raised by three members. We regret any confusion the original article may have caused.

If you had "vested pension rights" when you left COMSAT before being eligible for retirement, you have pensions rights from Lockheed Martin. Please be aware that your full pension right is available when you turn 62, if you have accrued ten years of service at COMSAT, whereas the standard Lockheed Martin pension availability in such circumstances does not occur until age 65. You do not need to wait until then. Contact the Lockheed Martin Service Center (866-562-2363). Also, under the COMSAT pension plan, which Lockheed Martin is honoring, those of you with ten years of service can draw reduced pension benefits anytime after you turn 55, but with significant reductions over what you will receive if you wait until age 62. If you did not have ten years of service at COMSAT but do have "vested pension rights," you must wait until age 65 to claim the benefit.

Maury Mechanick becomes COMARA Director

Maury Mechanick has agreed to serve out the remaining term of Ted O'Brien, who resigned recently. Maury's term goes until the 2009 election. Please welcome him.

EEOC Regulations on Retiree Medical Benefits

Jack Hannon and Bob Kinzie continue to research the effects on retiree medical benefits in the wake of the change in EEOC regulations authorizing firms to "discriminate" against Medicare-eligible retirees in order to offer more substantial medical benefits to younger retirees until they reach Medicare age. Information they learn will be summarized in the next newsletter and listed in detail in the benefits section of the website.

Recent Obituaries
If we have missed any, please send the information to the webmaster.

• Lucius Battle [NY Times]
• Lucius Battle [Washington Post]
• Harry Gross
• Paul Helfgott
• Charles Ippolito [Claudette Ippolito]
• Valerie Knight [Ivor Knight]
• Elisabeth Martin [John L Martin, Jr]
• Harriet McLucas [John McLucas]
• Akos Revesz

2008 Dues
We've had a great response to the earlier request for dues. Over half of the COMARA members have sent checks for dues. Thanks for your support, and the work by Joe Pelton.
If you haven't paid your 2008 dues, please send a check for $10 payable to COMARA to
COMARA
PO Box 34594
Bethesda, MD 20827

December Newsletters have been sent.

Newsletters were mailed to members without a valid email. A text version was email to the rest of the members. If you didn't receive a copy, it probably means we don't have a valid email address or mailing address for you. Let the webmaster know. The Current Newsletter link at the left displays the newsletter.

Bob Matthews sent Marisat Nostalgia

A number of people worked to create the biggest newsletter in COMARA history. Jack Hannon (as usual) collected items from many sources. Jack asked Ed Martin to compose an article on Inmarsat-A. This satellite had a design life of 5 years. It will cease operations at the end of 2007 after providing 32 years of active service! Ed included anecdotes from people who helped create the satellite and program. You can add your own comment to the Inmarsat-A article.

We are fortunate that Brent Jacocks volunteered to help with our newletters. Brent used to provide the final format to proposals and technical reports at the Labs. There were a lot of drafts to get to the final. At least 10 in all. You will see a fresh and very professional look in this issue.

Of course, none of this matters if we don't know how to contact you. We do mail a copy of the newsletters to members who haven't given us a working email address. About half of the newsletters mailed this time are going to people who had given us an email address in the past, but these email addresses no longer work. So, if we don't have your current email and mailing address, please update your contact information (after signing in) or send them to webmaster@comara.org

FirstWednesday in December - Dec 5, Roys Place  Ron Johnson reported that about 20 people made it to the gathering in spite of the snow and ice on Wednesday. Bob Kroll took pictures, and we hope to have these available soon.

Initial Review of 2007-2008 Medical Plans

Jack Hannon provided his initial view of the medical benefits package.
Initial Review of 2007-2008 Medical Plans

Comara Social Pictures

Pictures from the 2007 Social are now available at 2007 Social Pictures.

The 2007 Class Directors

• Irving Dostis
• Joseph Pelton
• Steven Teller

Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications
From Joe Pelton

The Permanent Hall of Fame for Satellite Communications Project is being undertaken under the umbrella of the Society of Satellite Professional International. We would like volunteers to make this permanet display on the history of satellite communications a reality. At this point Steven Teller, Ellen Hoff, Ed Martin, Peggy Slye are helping out with this undertaking. If you think you could help us in our approach to the satellite industry or museums and universities we would very much like to hear from you. So far we have initial indications of support from Intelsat, SES Americom, and Orbital Sciences and have other feelers out.

Please call Joe Pelton 703 536-6985 or contact jpelton@gwu.edu or any other member of the committee. Many thanks. Joe Pelton