Already, a trend is under way in the satellite business toward use of smaller satellites.

For Hughes, the deal represents a bold step in its expansion into the global satellite business.

"That is part of the reason we are in the satellite business."

But the satellite business has had trouble getting airborne.

"No one's putting new money in the satellite business these days."

It is expected to allow Japan to enter the commercial satellite business.

Closer to Earth, the commercial satellite business has thrived without a human presence.

Liberty will, therefore, receive a total of $1.8 billion in the satellite business's stock.

To be sure, boom times have come to almost everybody in the satellite business since the war began.

"We are certainly not out of the satellite business," the spokesman said.