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April 9, 2008 |
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General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Completes Testing for GeoEye’s Next-Generation Earth Imaging Satellite
GILBERT, Ariz – General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit
of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today the completion of satellite
integration and environmental testing for GeoEye’s next-generation earth imaging
satellite, GeoEye-1. General Dynamics is the prime contractor and integrator of
the spacecraft and telescope for GeoEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEOY). GeoEye-1 will
remain at the General Dynamics space systems facility until it is shipped to
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. for launch this summer.
“GeoEye-1 has now completed testing based on our proven processes that resulted
in the successful in-orbit performance of all 10 satellites previously built by
General Dynamics,” said David Shingledecker, vice president and general manager
of integrated space systems, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. “We
look forward to the launch of GeoEye-1 and its world-class earth imaging
capabilities.”
“The completion of environmental testing is a major milestone on the road to
launch,” said Bill Schuster, GeoEye’s chief operating officer. “The satellite
was delivered on budget without any change orders which often increase costs.
GeoEye-1 and this class of satellites are an ideal system for broad-area imagery
collection and mapping for our government and commercial customers.”
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.
When operational, GeoEye-1 will be the world’s highest resolution commercial
imaging satellite, designed to take highly precise images of the Earth from 425
miles (684 kilometers) in space. The 4,310 pound satellite will collect imagery
that can distinguish objects on the Earth's surface as small as 0.41meters or
about 16 inches in size.
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
83,500 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 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.
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