GeoEye-1 Satellite and Launch Vehicle Ready at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
DULLES, Va., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GeoEye, Inc.
(Nasdaq: GEOY), announced today a slip in the launch of its GeoEye-1 satellite
from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. While the launch vehicle and satellite
are on the pad and ready for a launch later this week, United Launch Alliance
(ULA) advised the Company today that Hurricane Hanna's projected path off the
east coast of Florida has impacted the availability of certified Delta II
launch specialists available to travel to VAFB to support the GeoEye-1 launch.
ULA is currently planning the launch for no earlier than September 7 and is
taking all of the steps necessary to support this date. GeoEye will announce a
new date as soon as it is confirmed by our launch provider.
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The 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., has declared HURCON 4 (Hurricane
Condition 4), meaning that there is a storm with sustained winds of greater
than 50 knots anticipated within 72 hours at the Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station (CCAFS). Under this condition, personnel may elect to remain with
their families for the duration of the storm instead of travelling to
California for the GeoEye-1 launch. ULA frequently shifts personnel from coast
to coast to support launches.
Bill Schuster, GeoEye's chief operating officer, said, 'Unfortunately,
Hurricane Hanna has created this 'perfect storm' where despite having the
spacecraft and booster ready and expected favorable weather on the West Coast,
we are unable to launch due to lack of launch personnel because of weather on
the East Coast. We expect to confirm a new launch date very soon, but it's
dependent on Hanna's storm track and other storms currently in the Atlantic
approaching the U.S. landmass.'
The Flight Readiness Review was successfully completed on August 28
establishing that all elements were ready for the upcoming launch and this
remains the case as soon as this staffing shortfall caused by the hurricane is
resolved.
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, www.sec.gov, or by contacting: William L. Warren, Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary, at 703-480-5672.
SOURCE GeoEye, Inc.
