SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):        Commission File Number:
                  March 27, 1997                                 000-22085



                           ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



    Delaware                                                52-2008654
(State or other jurisdiction                              (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                      Identification Number)



                             2440 Research Boulevard
                                    Suite 400
                            Rockville, Maryland 20850
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (301) 258-8101


          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

                                 Not applicable



<PAGE>





                          ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

Item 5            Other Events

         On March 27, 1997, Orion Network Systems, Inc. ("Orion") issued a press
release announcing  Orion's  acquisition of Teleport Europe GmbH, a German-based
communications  company that specializes in private satellite networks for voice
and data  services.  Enclosed as Exhibit A to this Current Report on Form 8-K is
the text of the March 27, 1997 press release.



Item 7   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

         (c) Exhibits.

A.       Press Release,  dated March 27, 1997,  regarding Orion's acquisition of
         Teleport Europe GmbH.




                                      -2-


<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE
         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



                                       ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.


Date:  March 31, 1997                  By:  /s/ Richard H. Shay
                                            -------------------
                                            Vice President, Corporate
                                              and Legal Affairs




                                      -3-


<PAGE>





                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                ----------------


Exhibit           Description                    Page
-------           -----------                    ----

A        Press Release dated March 27, 1997





<PAGE>





                                 March 31, 1997



BY EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

                           Re:      ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
                                    SEC FILE NO. 000-22085

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  On behalf of Orion Network Systems,  Inc. (the "Corporation"),
and in electronic  format pursuant to Regulation S-T, we enclose for filing with
the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K. All required  signatures  have been
obtained and will be retained by the Corporation for five years.

                  Under cover of a copy of this  letter,  two copies of the Form
8-K,  one of which is manually  signed,  are being  filed with the Nasdaq  Stock
Market.

                  If you have any  questions  or  comments  with  respect to the
foregoing,  please  telephone  me at (202)  637-5736  or James G. Higham of this
office at (202) 637-5761.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          /s/ Steven M. Kaufman

                                                          Steven M. Kaufman


Enclosures

cc:       Marilyn Bacot
          Nasdaq Stock Market


<PAGE>




                                                                       EXHIBIT A


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                      Contacts:        Jim Kaufman, Assoc.
27 March 1997                                                General Counsel
                                                             +301 258 3370 or
                                                             David Frear, CFO
                                                             +301 258 3332


     ORION BUYS GERMAN NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER TELEPORT EUROPE GmbH

             Strategic Move to Expand and Accelerate European Sales


         Rockville,  Md. -- Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:  ONSI),  an
international satellite communications provider, today announced the acquisition
of German-based  Teleport Europe GmbH, a communications  company specializing in
private satellite  networks for voice and data services.  With this acquisition,
Orion  expands  its  customer  base  and   accelerates  its  sales  and  service
capabilities within Europe.

         Previously,  Teleport  Europe was a privately owned company with shares
held by two major German companies, Vebacom GmbH and RWE Telliance AG, now known
as o.tel.o.  o.tel.o.  declares that they sold Teleport Europe because  o.tel.o.
concentrates its business on offering public switched telephony and on servicing
its already 700 corporate customers.

         Teleport Europe's 1996 revenues were in excess of $14 million.  Orion's
customer base is immediately  expanded by approximately  55 customers  including
some of Germany's leading  multinational  corporations such as Volkswagen,  BASF
and Bertelsmann.  In addition, Orion will acquire Teleport Europe's licenses and
operating  agreements  to provide  satellite  network  services in 40  countries
including 17 countries in which Orion previously did not provide service.

         "Similar  to Orion's  philosophy,  Teleport  Europe has  established  a
reputation   as  a  high   quality   service   provider   of  private   business
communications,"  said W. Neil Bauer,  President and Chief Executive  Officer of
Orion Network Systems.  "With this acquisition,  Orion's customer base and sales
presence  in Europe is greatly  expanded  and we are better  positioned  to take
advantage of the rapidly growing European


                                       A-1


<PAGE>


market."  This  acquisition,  and others  which may  follow,  is part of Orion's
strategy to accelerate the growth of its sales and service capabilities.

         Orion owns and operates the Orion 1 satellite, which covers Europe, the
US to the Rocky  Mountains and parts of Canada and Mexico.  A second  satellite,
currently under  construction,  will supplement  Orion's  coverage of Europe and
will expand that  coverage  into  Russia,  Latin  America and the Middle East. A
third,  also  under  construction  will  cover the  Asia/Pacific  markets.  Once
launched,  these three  satellites  will  provide  coverage to 85 percent of the
world's economies.

         Dr. Hans-Joachim Heyke, Managing Director of Teleport Europe GmbH, said
"by becoming part of the Orion family,  Teleport  Europe will be able to enhance
service to its customers by accessing  Orion's  satellite for connections to and
from the US and by adding new  services  to our  portfolio  such as US  Internet
access."

         Teleport Europe is located in Hanover,  Germany and provides  satellite
communications  for private  networks with services  such as data,  voice,  fax,
audio and video.  Since 1991, the company has provided  turnkey  solutions and a
comprehensive  service  offering,  including  consultation,   network  planning,
installation and on-going  maintenance  based on a Customer Service Center (CSC)
with 24-hour/seven day support.

         Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:   ONSI)  is  an  international
satellite   communications  company  that  provides  private  network  services,
including  Internet access,  directly to  multinational  businesses and Internet
service providers (ISPs) worldwide.  It also transmits video  communications for
television and other program distribution services. Orion provides its customers
comprehensive network services, including 60-day installation, a single point of
contact for sales and maintenance and  international  24-hour/seven day support.
Services   include   Internet   access,    data   networking,    voice,   video,
teleconferencing and news distribution to multiple points worldwide.


                                      # # #




                                       A-2
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 8835}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ORION NEWCO SERVICES INC", "cik": "0001029850", "assigned-sic": "3663", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-22085", "film-number": "97570091"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2440 RESEARCH BLVD SUITE 400", "city": "ROCKVILLE", "state": "MD", "zip": "20850", "phone": "3012588101"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "2440 RESEARCH BLVD", "street2": "SUITE 400", "city": "ROCKVILLE", "state": "MD", "zip": "20850"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):        Commission File Number:
                  March 27, 1997                                 000-22085

                           ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

    Delaware                                                52-2008654
(State or other jurisdiction                              (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                      Identification Number)

                             2440 Research Boulevard
                                    Suite 400
                            Rockville, Maryland 20850
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (301) 258-8101

          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

                                 Not applicable
ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

Item 5            Other Events

         On March 27, 1997, Orion Network Systems, Inc. ("Orion") issued a press
release announcing  Orion's  acquisition of Teleport Europe GmbH, a German-based
communications  company that specializes in private satellite networks for voice
and data  services.  Enclosed as Exhibit A to this Current Report on Form 8-K is
the text of the March 27, 1997 press release.

Item 7   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

         (c) Exhibits.

A.       Press Release,  dated March 27, 1997,  regarding Orion's acquisition of
         Teleport Europe GmbH.

                                      -2-
SIGNATURE
         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.

Date:  March 31, 1997                  By:  /s/ Richard H. Shay
                                            -------------------
                                            Vice President, Corporate
                                              and Legal Affairs

                                      -3-
EXHIBIT INDEX
                                ----------------

Exhibit           Description                    Page
-------           -----------                    ----

A        Press Release dated March 27, 1997
March 31, 1997

BY EDGAR

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

                           Re:      ORION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
                                    SEC FILE NO. 000-22085

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  On behalf of Orion Network Systems,  Inc. (the "Corporation"),
and in electronic  format pursuant to Regulation S-T, we enclose for filing with
the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K. All required  signatures  have been
obtained and will be retained by the Corporation for five years.

                  Under cover of a copy of this  letter,  two copies of the Form
8-K,  one of which is manually  signed,  are being  filed with the Nasdaq  Stock
Market.

                  If you have any  questions  or  comments  with  respect to the
foregoing,  please  telephone  me at (202)  637-5736  or James G. Higham of this
office at (202) 637-5761.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          /s/ Steven M. Kaufman

                                                          Steven M. Kaufman

Enclosures

cc:       Marilyn Bacot
          Nasdaq Stock Market
EXHIBIT A

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                      Contacts:        Jim Kaufman, Assoc.
27 March 1997                                                General Counsel
                                                             +301 258 3370 or
                                                             David Frear, CFO
                                                             +301 258 3332

     ORION BUYS GERMAN NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER TELEPORT EUROPE GmbH

             Strategic Move to Expand and Accelerate European Sales

         Rockville,  Md. -- Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:  ONSI),  an
international satellite communications provider, today announced the acquisition
of German-based  Teleport Europe GmbH, a communications  company specializing in
private satellite  networks for voice and data services.  With this acquisition,
Orion  expands  its  customer  base  and   accelerates  its  sales  and  service
capabilities within Europe.

         Previously,  Teleport  Europe was a privately owned company with shares
held by two major German companies, Vebacom GmbH and RWE Telliance AG, now known
as o.tel.o.  o.tel.o.  declares that they sold Teleport Europe because  o.tel.o.
concentrates its business on offering public switched telephony and on servicing
its already 700 corporate customers.

         Teleport Europe's 1996 revenues were in excess of $14 million.  Orion's
customer base is immediately  expanded by approximately  55 customers  including
some of Germany's leading  multinational  corporations such as Volkswagen,  BASF
and Bertelsmann.  In addition, Orion will acquire Teleport Europe's licenses and
operating  agreements  to provide  satellite  network  services in 40  countries
including 17 countries in which Orion previously did not provide service.

         "Similar  to Orion's  philosophy,  Teleport  Europe has  established  a
reputation   as  a  high   quality   service   provider   of  private   business
communications,"  said W. Neil Bauer,  President and Chief Executive  Officer of
Orion Network Systems.  "With this acquisition,  Orion's customer base and sales
presence  in Europe is greatly  expanded  and we are better  positioned  to take
advantage of the rapidly growing European

                                       A-1
market."  This  acquisition,  and others  which may  follow,  is part of Orion's
strategy to accelerate the growth of its sales and service capabilities.

         Orion owns and operates the Orion 1 satellite, which covers Europe, the
US to the Rocky  Mountains and parts of Canada and Mexico.  A second  satellite,
currently under  construction,  will supplement  Orion's  coverage of Europe and
will expand that  coverage  into  Russia,  Latin  America and the Middle East. A
third,  also  under  construction  will  cover the  Asia/Pacific  markets.  Once
launched,  these three  satellites  will  provide  coverage to 85 percent of the
world's economies.

         Dr. Hans-Joachim Heyke, Managing Director of Teleport Europe GmbH, said
"by becoming part of the Orion family,  Teleport  Europe will be able to enhance
service to its customers by accessing  Orion's  satellite for connections to and
from the US and by adding new  services  to our  portfolio  such as US  Internet
access."

         Teleport Europe is located in Hanover,  Germany and provides  satellite
communications  for private  networks with services  such as data,  voice,  fax,
audio and video.  Since 1991, the company has provided  turnkey  solutions and a
comprehensive  service  offering,  including  consultation,   network  planning,
installation and on-going  maintenance  based on a Customer Service Center (CSC)
with 24-hour/seven day support.

         Orion  Network  Systems,  Inc.  (NASDAQ:   ONSI)  is  an  international
satellite   communications  company  that  provides  private  network  services,
including  Internet access,  directly to  multinational  businesses and Internet
service providers (ISPs) worldwide.  It also transmits video  communications for
television and other program distribution services. Orion provides its customers
comprehensive network services, including 60-day installation, a single point of
contact for sales and maintenance and  international  24-hour/seven day support.
Services   include   Internet   access,    data   networking,    voice,   video,
teleconferencing and news distribution to multiple points worldwide.

                                      # # #

                                       A-2