Thomas Weisel Partners LLC and Near Earth LLC Announce Satellite Investment Banking Alliance

Market Wire, July, 2005

Thomas Weisel Partners LLC (TWP), an investment bank focused on the growth sectors of the U.S. economy, and Near Earth LLC, an investment bank specialized in satellite-related industries, have announced a new alliance. Near Earth will work with Thomas Weisel Partners to provide investment banking services, including private placements, public equity financings, and mergers and acquisitions advisory, to satellite-related corporations spanning the telecommunications, media, technology and aerospace & defense industries.

"Near Earth has a strong track record in advising and consulting to satellite-related companies. With this partnership, we look forward to expanding our reach to growth companies in satellite-related sectors and believe Near Earth will be a powerful partner in this effort," said Blake Jorgensen, Co-Director of Investment Banking of Thomas Weisel Partners. "We believe that this is another critical step in building our M&A practice and enhancing our reputation as a trusted strategic advisor," added Bob Kitts, Co-Director of Investment Banking.

"We are excited to leverage Thomas Weisel Partners' experience and unique position as the investment bank of choice for growth sectors of the economy," noted Hoyt Davidson, CEO and Managing Member of Near Earth. "This relationship represents a unique opportunity for us to expand the breadth of services we offer to include public offerings as well as a broader range of financing and advisory capabilities," said Armand Musey, President of Near Earth.

About Thomas Weisel Partners LLC

Thomas Weisel Partners is one of the most active investment banks for growth companies providing underwriting and strategic advisory services in the consumer, healthcare, industrial, media & telecommunications, and technology sectors. TWP is the #1 underwriter of technology initial public offerings in the U.S., in terms of the number of transactions completed and in registration for 2004. Since the firm's inception in 1999, TWP has completed over 500 investment banking transactions valued at approximately $170 billion. TWP has approximately 550 employees and is headquartered in San Francisco with additional offices in New York, Boston, and Palo Alto, California.

About Near Earth LLC

Near Earth LLC is an investment bank led by three senior members with over 54 years of combined experience in investment banking and satellite-related industries. Near Earth provides a full range of advisory, consulting services and private placement services for satellite-related growth companies seeking to raise equity or debt capital. Key team members include:

Mr. Hoyt Davidson is the founder, Chief Executive Officer of Near Earth and was formerly a Managing Director in the Telecommunications Group at Credit Suisse First Boston and the co-founder of Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette's Space Finance Group. Previously, Mr. Davidson was a Senior Research Engineer in the Space Systems Division of Lockheed Missiles and Space Company.

Mr. Armand Musey, CFA is President of Near Earth and most recently was the head of Salomon Smith Barney's Satellite Communications and Telecommunications Tower equity research effort. Mr. Musey is a three-time Institutional Investor ranked satellite analyst.

Mr. John Stone is a Director of Near Earth and has over 20 years of corporate finance and satellite industry experience. Prior to Near Earth, he was a satellite research analyst at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. and has served as a senior project engineer at several leading aerospace companies including Boeing, Hughes Electronics and General Dynamics.

Near Earth is headquartered in New Canaan, Connecticut, with offices in New York and Culver City, California.

Contacts: Ann Akichika Director of Marketing & Corporate Communications Thomas Weisel Partners LLC Ph: (415) 364-2746 Email Contact Hoyt Davidson CEO and Managing Member Near Earth LLC Ph: (203) 972-9062 Email Contact