GILBERT, Ariz., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The GeoEye-1 satellite, designed
and built by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, was successfully
launched into a 423-mile orbit today from Vandenberg Air Force Base in
California. GeoEye-1 is the world's highest-resolution commercial Earth
imaging satellite, capable of offering half-meter color imagery to government
and commercial customers.
'GeoEye-1 is a highly sophisticated imaging satellite that was delivered
on an unprecedented schedule and continues our successful track record in the
production of high performance satellites,' said Dave Shingledecker, vice
president and general manager of integrated space systems for General Dynamics
Advanced Information Systems. 'We look forward to bringing this strong
product offering to various government customers to provide a future
space-based imaging system that directly support our troops, allies, and
coalition partners in theaters of operation.'
Under contract to Dulles, Va.-based GeoEye, Inc. (Nasdaq: GEOY), General
Dynamics was responsible for the mission-system engineering, design and
manufacture of the spacecraft; procurement and integration of the
electro-optical assembly (camera); environmental testing of the integrated
satellite, plus launch processing support, and ground-based command and
control systems. General Dynamics also will conduct the on-orbit checkout.
The satellite's imaging system was built by ITT (Rochester, NY), a
significant subcontractor to General Dynamics. The system includes the
optical telescope unit with outer barrel assembly and door, an advanced sensor
system, focal plane assembly, power system and high-speed digital processing
electronics.
GeoEye-1 is part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (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.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems designs, develops,
manufactures, integrates, operates and maintains mission systems for defense,
space, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, homeland security and
homeland defense customers. Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., the company
specializes in space and ground systems; imagery processing; mission payloads;
space vehicles; maritime subsurface, surface and airborne mission systems; and
tasking, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination programs for
national intelligence. More information is available on the Internet at
www.gd-ais.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs
approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipates 2008 revenues of
approximately $29.5 billion. The company is a market leader in business
aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions;
shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.
More information about the company is available on the Internet at
www.generaldynamics.com.
SOURCE General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems
