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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080625/LAW528LOGO)
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.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Statements including words such as "anticipate", "believe", or
"expect" and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties. GeoEye's actual financial and operational results could differ
materially from those anticipated. Additional information regarding these
risk factors and uncertainties is described more fully in the Company's SEC
filings. A copy of all SEC filings may be obtained from the SEC's EDGAR web
site, http://www.sec.gov, or by contacting: William L. Warren, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, at 703-480-5672.
SOURCE GeoEye, Inc.