Exhibit 99

L


                                For Immediate Release
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WILL NOT BLOCK PROPOSED
LOCKHEED MARTIN/COMSAT MERGER

BETHESDA, Maryland, September 16, 1999 -- The staff of the U.S. Department of
Justice (DoJ) today notified Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) and COMSAT Corporation
(NYSE:CQ) that the DoJ does not intend to enjoin the two companies from
completing their proposed strategic combination.

The DoJ action today follows Wednesday's affirmative vote by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) on two items also related to the planned merger
of the two companies.

The FCC votes and the fact the DoJ has informed Lockheed Martin the agency does
not intend to oppose the merger appear to satisfy the last two regulatory
conditions regarding the Lockheed Martin/COMSAT tender offer.

Lockheed Martin said it is in the process of completing closing due diligence,
including but not limited to reviewing the orders relating to the actions that
the FCC took yesterday. Last evening, Lockheed Martin received a copy of the
FCC's memorandum, order and authorization relative to its applications necessary
to complete the tender offer, and based upon its initial review of this document
believes it to be satisfactory. Lockheed Martin has not yet received a copy of
the FCC's report and order authorizing satellite users to directly access
INTELSAT and thus cannot yet assess the potential impact of direct access,
financial or otherwise, on COMSAT. Lockheed Martin said it did not anticipate
encountering any obstacles in its due diligence review and expects to close on
the first phase of the two-phase transaction on Saturday, September 18.

The Lockheed Martin/COMSAT strategic combination was announced in September
1998. On August 20, 1999, COMSAT shareholders approved the proposed merger. The
first phase of the combination, a tender offer by Lockheed Martin for up to 49
percent of the outstanding common shares of COMSAT for net $45.50 cash per
share, is scheduled to expire at 12:00 noon, New York City time, on Saturday,
September 18. The merger's second phase will be accomplished by an exchange of
Lockheed Martin common stock for COMSAT common stock on a one-for-one basis, and
is contingent upon certain conditions, including enactment


of federal legislation to remove restrictions on authorized carrier ownership of
COMSAT voting stock.


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CONTACT: Charles Manor, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, 301/581-2720

                                  www.lmgt.com
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