William Atkins
Sunday, 07 September 2008 22:43
Science -
Space
Page 1 of 3
On September 6, 2008, a two-ton Earth-imaging satellite called GeoEye-1 was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California (U.S.A.) for a polar orbit about 423 miles above the surface of the Earth. Google has secured exclusive online mapping rights.
A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket lifted the GeoEye-1 satellite starting at its liftoff time of 11:50:57 a.m. PDT (Pacific Daylight Time), or 1850:57 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) from its launch site on the central California coast.
The GeoEye-1 satellite separated from the launch vehicle at 12:49 p.m. PDT (1949 UTC). The separation was confirmed as successful.
The September 6, 2008 press release from GeoEye, Inc., the owner of the satellite, on its successful launch of GeoEye-1 is found at “
GeoEye-1 Satellite Launches Into Space From Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.”
GeoEye, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, provides geospatial information (to map, measure, and monitor the Earth) for the national security community, strategic partners, resellers and commercial.
GeoEye COO Bill Schuster stated,
"Based upon the data we saw, the satellite is performing properly and ready to begin the next phase towards meeting its mission requirements." [GeoEye press release]
GeoEye CEO Matthew O'Connell stated,
"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." [GeoEye press release]
Additional information about the GeoEye orbit and the resolution of GeoEye-1's imaging system is found on page two.
