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GeoEye-1 Satellite Launches Into Space From Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

Written by thomas · Filed Under Aeronautics News 

September 7, 2008

thomas

GeoEye logo. (PRNewsFoto/GeoEye)

THORTON, CO UNITED STATES
 

DULLES, Va., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — GeoEye, Inc. (Nasdaq:
GEOY), a premier provider of satellite, aerial and geospatial information,
announced today the successful launch and deployment of GeoEye-1, the
world’s highest resolution, commercial Earth-imaging satellite.

GeoEye’s ground station in Norway relayed the downlink signal it
received from GeoEye-1 confirming that the satellite successfully separated
from the second stage of the launch vehicle and began automatically
initializing its onboard systems.

Bill Schuster, GeoEye chief operating officer, said, “Based upon the
data we saw, the satellite is performing properly and ready to begin the
next phase towards meeting its mission requirements.” GeoEye-1 will now
undergo a calibration and check-out period before imagery products will be
available for sale.

Matthew O’Connell, GeoEye chief executive officer, said, “Later this
fall, we will start providing high-resolution color imagery of the Earth
from our newest satellite to customers around the globe. The imagery from
GeoEye-1 adds to the quantity and quality of that currently provided by our
IKONOS satellite, and together this magnificent constellation will enable
us to meet world-wide customer demand.”

O’Connell added, “This launch, and our important relationship with the
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), shows how public-private
partnerships can be successful for the collection of broad areas of the
Earth. And all our customers can be assured of continued access to quality
products and first-class customer service.”

GeoEye-1 is part of the NGA NextView program. The NextView program is
designed to ensure that the NGA has access to commercial imagery in support
of its mission to provide timely, relevant and accurate geospatial
intelligence in support of national security. GeoEye won its $500-million
NextView contract in September 2004 and was able to build and launch
GeoEye-1 without any contract cost overruns in less than four years after
contract award.

GeoEye-1 will simultaneously collect 0.41-meter ground resolution
black-and-white (panchromatic) images and 1.65-meter color (multispectral)
images. Designed to take digital images of the Earth from 423 miles (681
kilometers) and moving at a speed of about four-and-a-half miles (seven
kilometers) per second, the satellite camera can distinguish objects on the
Earth’s surface as small as 0.41-meter or 16 inches in size. Due to U.S.
licensing restrictions, commercial customers will get access to imagery at
half-meter ground resolution.

GeoEye-1 was built by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in
Gilbert, Ariz. The imaging system was built by ITT in Rochester, NY. ITT is
also building the imaging system for GeoEye-2 slated for launch in 2011.
The 4310-pound satellite was launched at 11:50 a.m. PDT on a United Launch
Alliance Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The
launch of GeoEye-1 marks the 83rd consecutive successful launch of the
Delta II rocket.

About GeoEye

GeoEye is the premier provider of geospatial information for the
national security community, strategic partners, resellers and commercial
customers to help them better map, measure and monitor the world. The
Company is recognized as the industry’s trusted imagery expert for
delivering reliable service and the exceptional quality of its imagery
products and solutions. It operates a constellation of Earth imaging
satellites, mapping aircraft and has an international network of ground
stations, a robust imagery archive, and advanced imagery processing
capabilities for developing innovative geospatial products and solutions.
The Company also provides support to academic institutions and
non-governmental organizations through the GeoEye Foundation. Headquartered
in Dulles, Virginia, GeoEye is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock
exchange under the symbol GEOY. It maintains a comprehensive Quality
Management System (QMS) and has achieved company-wide ISO accreditation.
For more information, visit http://www.geoeye.com.

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