| The launch of the most advanced imaging satellite | | | | world-class special purpose computers, delivering |
| ever to grace the atmosphere is imminent. | | | | key information sharing and analysis systems and |
| GeoEye 1 is set to launch on the fourth of | | | | developing breakthrough Synthetic Aperture |
| September 2008 and is expected to change the | | | | Radar and imaging technologies. |
| way that satellite images are delivered. The | | | | Once in orbit the GeoEye1 will deliver satellite |
| GeoEye is the most powerful commercial imaging | | | | images from 423 miles in space and moving at a |
| satellite ever constructed and can deliver some | | | | speed of around 4.1 miles per second. The satellite |
| jaw dropping feats of satellite photography. The | | | | will orbit the earth an amazing 15 times per day |
| company, GeoEye Incorporated are a leading | | | | whilst being able to recognise objects that are |
| company dealing with aerial and satellite | | | | down to 16 inches in size. This would not be in full |
| photography. | | | | colour at highest resolution, as to get down to |
| The satellite is due to be launched from | | | | such a small size the images would need to be |
| Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and the | | | | captured in panchromatic mode, which is a fancy |
| launch equipment and hardware have already | | | | name for black and white. |
| undergone a flight readiness review. The 12 story | | | | The satellite is the most powerful commercial |
| United Launch Alliance Delta II, designed by the | | | | imaging satellite because it has the capability to |
| aeronautics giant Boeing is the launch vessel that | | | | revisit any location on the planet every three |
| will take the GeoEye1 to near polar orbit, releasing | | | | days and at lower resolutions even sooner. These |
| the satellite after approximately 58 minutes, then | | | | images are thought to be used for national |
| about 90 minutes after deployment ground | | | | defence and intelligence, state and local |
| control is expecting to begin systems calibrations. | | | | governments, environmental monitoring and land |
| General Dynamics Advanced Information | | | | use management, oil and gas, utilities, disaster |
| Systems are the company that designed the | | | | management and for insurance purposes. |
| GeoEye1, they are a leader in providing mission | | | | One of the most high profile clients is thought to |
| solutions for defence, intelligence, homeland | | | | be Google who are planning to use these |
| security, surveillance and reconnaissance. The | | | | innovative satellite images to update their earth |
| company offers services including designing and | | | | and maps applications. The technology is thought |
| delivering 2 million lines of reliable software for | | | | to revolutionise satellite imaging providing constant |
| nuclear combat systems, providing mission | | | | streams of new information making it more |
| management systems, designing and building | | | | accurate and up to date. |