MELBOURNE, FLA. American Mobile Satellite Co. got a leap on competitors in the market for North American mobile telephone, position locating and messaging services with the launch of its first communications satellite on a Martin Marietta Atlas 2A booster.

LONDON Officials of Westland Helicopters and Agusta, partners in EH Industries, are assessing the potential impact of the crash of an EH 101 naval prototype during a flight test on Apr. 7. The four-man crew parachuted to safety before the Anglo/Italian helicopter crashed in the English countryside, about 30 mi. from Westland's Yeovil facilities.