Gray Wolf
09-07-2008, 11:46 AM
New high-resolution satellite launched
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE – A super-sharp Earth-imaging satellite that can detail an area the size of a baseball diamond's home plate from space was successfully blasted into orbit Friday from California's central coast.
A two-stage rocket carrying the GeoEye-1 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base shortly before noon. The 4,300-pound satellite separated and reached polar orbit about an hour later, according to live launch information on the satellite's Web site.
The satellite was built by Gilbert, Ariz.-based General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. It cost more than $500 million to build and launch the satellite for Dulles, Va.-based GeoEye, Inc.
GeoEye said the satellite will orbit 423 miles up and circle the Earth more than a dozen times a day. In a single day, it can collect color images of an area the size of New Mexico, or a black-and-white image the size of Texas.
In black-and-white mode, the satellite can distinguish objects on the Earth's surface as small as 16 inches, GeoEye said.
After a calibration period of up to two months, the satellite will begin selling its imaging capacity to commercial interests and the U.S. and other governments.
GeoEye said the imagery has a wide variety of uses, including mapping, land use planning, environmental observation, agriculture, mining and defense.
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE – A super-sharp Earth-imaging satellite that can detail an area the size of a baseball diamond's home plate from space was successfully blasted into orbit Friday from California's central coast.
A two-stage rocket carrying the GeoEye-1 lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base shortly before noon. The 4,300-pound satellite separated and reached polar orbit about an hour later, according to live launch information on the satellite's Web site.
The satellite was built by Gilbert, Ariz.-based General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. It cost more than $500 million to build and launch the satellite for Dulles, Va.-based GeoEye, Inc.
GeoEye said the satellite will orbit 423 miles up and circle the Earth more than a dozen times a day. In a single day, it can collect color images of an area the size of New Mexico, or a black-and-white image the size of Texas.
In black-and-white mode, the satellite can distinguish objects on the Earth's surface as small as 16 inches, GeoEye said.
After a calibration period of up to two months, the satellite will begin selling its imaging capacity to commercial interests and the U.S. and other governments.
GeoEye said the imagery has a wide variety of uses, including mapping, land use planning, environmental observation, agriculture, mining and defense.