<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.2.1


                              SKYSTREAM CORPORATION

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT



        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I. NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

[Optionee's Name and Address]



        You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:


        Date of Grant                       _________________________

        Vesting Commencement Date           _________________________

        Exercise Price per Share            $________________________

        Total Number of Shares Granted      _________________________

        Total Exercise Price                $________________________

        Type of Option:                     ___   Incentive Stock Option

                                            ___   Nonstatutory Stock Option

        Term/Expiration Date:               _________________________


     Vesting Schedule:

        This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:

        25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after
the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48th of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest each month period thereafter.



<PAGE>   2

        Termination Period:

        This Option may be exercised for 45 days after termination of employment
or consulting relationship, or such longer period as may be applicable upon
death or disability of Optionee as provided in the Plan, but in no event later
than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

II. AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option. SkyStream Corporation, a California corporation (the
"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the
"Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase the total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject
to the terms, definitions and provisions of the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") adopted by the Company, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the
same defined meanings in this Option.

        If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option
("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as
defined in Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an
Incentive Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code
Section 422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

        2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with
the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan as follows:

           (i) Right to Exercise.

               (a) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

               (b) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of the employment or consulting relationship, the exercisability of
the Option is governed by Sections 6, 7 and 8 below, subject to the limitation
contained in subsection 2(i)(c).

               (c) In no event may this Option be exercised after the date of
expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant.

           (ii) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
notice (in the form attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the election to
exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is
being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to the
holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as may be
required by the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. Such written
notice shall be signed by the Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by
certified mail to the Secretary of the Company. The written notice shall be
accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be
exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied by the
Exercise Price.



<PAGE>   3

           No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless
such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions of law
and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then be
listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be
considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is
exercised with respect to such Shares.

        3. Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
pursuant to the exercise of this Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time this Option is exercised,
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, and shall
read the applicable rules of the Commissioner of Corporations attached to such
Investment Representation Statement.

        4. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

           (i) cash; or

           (ii) check; or

           (iii) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company which
(A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company option,
have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date of
surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to
the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or

           (iv) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together with
such other documentation as the Administrator and the broker, if applicable,
shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of
the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the Exercise Price.

        5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised until such
time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company, or if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G") as
promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of this
Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty
to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

        6. Termination of Relationship. In the event an Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates, Optionee may, to the extent
otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "Termination Date"),
exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice of
Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option at
the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

        7. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
above, in the event of termination of an Optionee's consulting relationship or
Continuous Status as an Employee as a result of his or her disability, Optionee
may, but only within six (6) months from the date of such termination (and in no
event later than the expiration date of the term of such Option as set forth in
the Option Agreement), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to
exercise it at the date of such termination; provided, however, that if such
disability is not a "disability" as such term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of
the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock Option
shall automatically convert to a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the day three
months and one day following such termination. To the extent that Optionee was
not entitled to exercise the Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee
does not exercise such Option to the extent so entitled within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.

        8. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within six (6) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at
the date of death.

        9. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by Optionee. The terms of
this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        10. Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option. The limitations set out
in Section 7 of the Plan regarding Options designated as Incentive Stock Options
and Options granted to more than ten percent (10%) shareholders shall apply to
this Option.

        11. Taxation Upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands that, upon
exercising a Nonstatutory Option, he or she will recognize income for tax
purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the
Shares over the exercise price. However, the timing of this income recognition
may be deferred for up to six months if Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). If the
Optionee is an Employee, the Company will be required to withhold from
Optionee's compensation, or collect from Optionee and pay to the applicable
taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this compensation income.
Additionally, the Optionee may at some point be required to satisfy tax
withholding obligations with respect to the disqualifying disposition of an
Incentive Stock Option. The Optionee shall satisfy his or her tax withholding
obligation arising upon the exercise of this Option out of Optionee's
compensation or by payment to the Company.

        12. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of some of the federal and state tax consequences of exercise of
this Option and disposition of the Shares.



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5

THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS
OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

           (i) Exercise of ISO. If this Option qualifies as an ISO, there will
be no regular federal income tax liability or state income tax liability upon
the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market
Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price will be
treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax purposes
and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise.

           (ii) Exercise of ISO Following Disability. If the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee or Consultant terminates as a result of
disability that is not total and permanent disability as defined in Section
22(e)(3) of the Code, to the extent permitted on the date of termination, the
Optionee must exercise an ISO within 90 days of such termination for the ISO to
be qualified as an ISO.

           (iii) Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. There may be a regular
federal income tax liability and state income tax liability upon the exercise of
a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee will be treated as having received
compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess,
if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the
Exercise Price. If Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company
will be required to withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from
Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to
a percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse
to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts
are not delivered at the time of exercise.

           (iv) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an NSO, if Shares are held
for at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. In
the case of an ISO, if Shares transferred pursuant to the Option are held for at
least one year after exercise and are disposed of at least two years after the
Date of Grant, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will also be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal and state income tax purposes. If
Shares purchased under an ISO are disposed of within such one-year period or
within two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on such disposition
will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the
extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (1) the
Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (2) the sale price
of the Shares.

           (v) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If the Option
granted to Optionee herein is an ISO, and if Optionee sells or otherwise
disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the
later of (1) the date two years after the Date of Grant, or (2) the date one
year after the date of exercise, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. Optionee agrees that Optionee may be
subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized by the Optionee.



                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

        13. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan is incorporated herein by
reference. The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. This agreement is governed by California law except for that body of
law pertaining to conflict of laws.


                                    SKYSTREAM CORPORATION
                                    a California corporation


                                    By:
                                        ------------------------------


        OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE
WILL OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS
OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN WHICH IS
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, SHALL CONFER UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH
RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL
IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO
TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT
CAUSE.

        Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and represents that
he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this
Option subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed
the Plan and this Option in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the
advice of counsel prior to executing this Option and fully understands all
provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon
any questions arising under the Plan or this Option. Optionee further agrees to
notify the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated below.


Dated:
       ---------------              ----------------------------------
                                    Optionee



                                    Residence Address:



                                    ----------------------------------
                                    ----------------------------------
                                    ----------------------------------




                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN


                                 EXERCISE NOTICE



SkyStream Corporation
555 Clyde Avenue, Suite B
Mountain View, CA  94043
Attention:  Secretary


        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ___________, 19__, the
undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to exercise Optionee's option to purchase
_________ shares of the Common Stock (the "Shares") of SkyStream Corporation
(the "Company") under and pursuant to the 1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended
(the "Plan") and the [XX] Incentive [ ] Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement
dated March 3, 1999 (the "Option Agreement").

        2. Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to
abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

        3. Rights as Shareholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such
Shares is issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the
Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote
or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with
respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The
Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate promptly
after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or
other right for which the record date is prior to the date the stock certificate
is issued, except as provided in Section 11 of the Plan.

           Optionee shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time as
Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s) exercises
the Right of First Refusal hereunder. Upon such exercise, Optionee shall have no
further rights as a holder of the Shares so purchased except the right to
receive payment for the Shares so purchased in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement, and Optionee shall forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing
the Shares so purchased to be surrendered to the Company for transfer or
cancellation.

        4. Company's Right of First Refusal. Before any Shares held by Optionee
or any transferee (either being sometimes referred to herein as the "Holder")
may be sold or otherwise transferred (including transfer by gift or operation of
law), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to
purchase the Shares on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section (the
"Right of First Refusal").



<PAGE>   8


           (a) Notice of Proposed Transfer. The Holder of the Shares shall
deliver to the Company a written notice (the "Notice") stating: (i) the Holder's
bona fide intention to sell or otherwise transfer such Shares; (ii) the name of
each proposed purchaser or other transferee ("Proposed Transferee"); (iii) the
number of Shares to be transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (iv) the
bona fide cash price or other consideration for which the Holder proposes to
transfer the Shares (the "Offered Price"), and the Holder shall offer the Shares
at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).

           (b) Exercise of Right of First Refusal. At any time within thirty
(30) days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may,
by giving written notice to the Holder, elect to purchase all, but not less than
all, of the Shares proposed to be transferred to any one or more of the Proposed
Transferees, at the purchase price determined in accordance with subsection (c)
below.

           (c) Purchase Price. The purchase price ("Purchase Price") for the
Shares purchased by the Company or its assignee(s) under this Section shall be
the Offered Price. If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash,
the cash equivalent value of the non-cash consideration shall be determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith.

           (d) Payment. Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the
option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check), by cancellation of
all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company
(or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any
combination thereof within 30 days after receipt of the Notice or in the manner
and at the times set forth in the Notice.

           (e) Holder's Right to Transfer. If all of the Shares proposed in the
Notice to be transferred to a given Proposed Transferee are not purchased by the
Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section, then the Holder may
sell or otherwise transfer such Shares to that Proposed Transferee at the
Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such sale or other transfer is
consummated within 120 days after the date of the Notice and provided further
that any such sale or other transfer is effected in accordance with any
applicable securities laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that
the provisions of this Section shall continue to apply to the Shares in the
hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the Shares described in the Notice are not
transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such period, a new Notice shall be
given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be
offered the Right of First Refusal before any Shares held by the Holder may be
sold or otherwise transferred.

           (f) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the contrary
contained in this Section notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all of the
Shares during the Optionee's lifetime or on the Optionee's death by will or
intestacy to the Optionee's immediate family or a trust for the benefit of the
Optionee's immediate family shall be exempt from the provisions of this Section.
"Immediate Family" as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or
antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister. In such case, the transferee or
other recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the
provisions of this Section, and there shall be no further transfer of such
Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Section.



                                       -2-
<PAGE>   9

           (g) Termination of Right of First Refusal. The Right of First Refusal
shall terminate as to any Shares 90 days after the first sale of Common Stock of
the Company to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed
with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        5. Tax Consultation. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
consultants Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

        6. Restrictive Legends and Stop-Transfer Orders.

           (a) Legends. Optionee understands and agrees that the Company shall
cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially equivalent thereto,
to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of the Shares together
with any other legends that may be required by the Company or by state or
federal securities laws:

           THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
           SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
           OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL
           REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE ISSUER
           OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR
           HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

           THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
           RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL HELD BY THE
           ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET FORTH IN THE EXERCISE NOTICE BETWEEN
           THE ISSUER AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH
           MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER. SUCH TRANSFER
           RESTRICTIONS AND RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL ARE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF
           THESE SHARES.

           IT IS UNLAWFUL TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OR TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY, OR
           ANY INTEREST THEREIN, OR TO RECEIVE ANY CONSIDERATION THEREFOR,
           WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CORPORATIONS
           OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXCEPT AS PERMITTED IN THE COMMISSIONER'S
           RULES.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   10

           THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON
           TRANSFER FOR A PERIOD OF 180 DAYS FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE
           COMPANY'S INITIAL UNDERWRITTEN PUBLIC OFFERING AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR
           OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF BY THE HOLDER WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE
           COMPANY OR THE MANAGING UNDERWRITER."

           Optionee understands that transfer of the Shares may be restricted by
Section 260.141.11 of the Rules of the California Corporations Commissioner, a
copy of which is attached to Exhibit B, the Investment Representation Statement.

           (b) Stop-Transfer Notices. Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure
compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue
appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and
that, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.

           (c) Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to
transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in
violation of any of the provisions of this Agreement or (ii) to treat as owner
of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any purchaser
or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so transferred.

        7. Market Standoff. Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the
Company or any representative of the underwriters in connection with any
registration of the offering of the securities of the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), Optionee shall not sell or
otherwise transfer the Shares for a period of 180 days following the effective
date of a Registration filed under the Act; provided, that such restriction
shall apply only to the first registration statement of the Company to become
effective under the Act which include securities to be sold on behalf of the
Company in an underwritten offering under the Act. The Company may impose
stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares subject to the foregoing
restrictions until the end of each such 180-day period.

        8. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights
under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to
the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding
upon Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns.

        9. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this
Agreement shall be submitted by Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the
Company's Board of Directors or the committee thereof that administers the Plan,
which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of
such a dispute by the Board or committee shall be final and binding on the
Company and on Optionee.



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   11

        10. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California excluding that
body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this
Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the
other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain
enforceable.

        11. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given
in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon
deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees
prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its
signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from
time to time to the other party.

        12. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

        13. Delivery of Payment. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the
full Exercise Price for the Shares.

        14. Entire Agreement. The Plan and Notice of Grant/Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan, the Option Agreement
and the Investment Representation Statement constitute the entire agreement of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Purchaser with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Purchaser's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Purchaser



Submitted by:                                Accepted by:

OPTIONEE:                                    SKYSTREAM CORPORATION



                                             By:
                                                -------------------------------

                                             Its:
                                                 ------------------------------




----------------------------------
      (Signature)


Address:                                     Address:

----------------------------------           55 Clyde Avenue, Suite B
                                             Mountain View, CA  94043
----------------------------------




                                      -5-
<PAGE>   12


                                    EXHIBIT B

                       INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT



OPTIONEE      :

COMPANY       :     SKYSTREAM CORPORATION

SECURITY      :     COMMON STOCK

AMOUNT        :

DATE          :


In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned
Optionee represents to the Company the following:

           (a) Optionee is aware of the Company's business affairs and financial
condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an
informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Optionee is
acquiring these Securities for investment for Optionee's own account only and
not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any "distribution" thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act").

           (b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Securities
constitute "restricted securities" under the Securities Act and have not been
registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption
therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide
nature of Optionee's investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection,
Optionee understands that, in the view of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the statutory basis for such exemption may be unavailable if
Optionee's representation was predicated solely upon a present intention to hold
these Securities for the minimum capital gains period specified under tax
statutes, for a deferred sale, for or until an increase or decrease in the
market price of the Securities, or for a period of one year or any other fixed
period in the future. Optionee further understands that the Securities must be
held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities
Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further
acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register
the Securities. Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the
Securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the
Securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in
the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, a legend prohibiting their
transfer without the consent of the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
California and any other legend required under applicable state securities laws.

           (c) Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and Rule
144, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit
limited public resale of "restricted securities" acquired, directly or
indirectly from the issuer thereof, in a non-public offering subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer
qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the Option to the Optionee,
the exercise will be exempt from registration under the



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   13

Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off
agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold,
subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144,
including: (1) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited
"broker's transaction" or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said
term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and, in the case of
an affiliate, (2) the availability of certain public information about the
Company, (3) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period
not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (4) the timely
filing of a Form 144, if applicable.

        In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the
time of grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain
limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the
resale to occur not less than two years after the later of the date the
Securities were sold by the Company or the date the Securities were sold by an
affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of
acquisition of the Securities by an affiliate, or by a non-affiliate who
subsequently holds the Securities less than three years, the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in sections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph
immediately above.

           (d) Optionee hereby agrees that if so requested by the Company or any
representative of the underwriters in connection with any registration of the
offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, Optionee
shall not sell or otherwise transfer any Shares or other securities of the
Company during the 180-day period following the effective date of a registration
statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act; provided, however, that
such restriction shall only apply to the first registration statement of the
Company to become effective under the Securities Act which include securities to
be sold on behalf of the Company to the public in an underwritten public
offering under the Securities Act. The Company may impose stop-transfer
instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions
until the end of such 180-day period.

           (e) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the
applicable requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under
the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration
exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144
and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement
securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to
Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an
exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such
persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so
at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any
such other registration exemption will be available in such event.


                                    Signature of Optionee:

                                    ---------------------------

                                    Date:               , 19
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