GeoEye's Next-Generation Satellite Launch 6 Sept.

05 September 2008, 10:19am

September 4, 2008 4:21 PM EDT - GeoEye's Next-Generation Satellite Confirmed for Launch Saturday, Sept. 6, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

- GeoEye-1 Satellite and Launch Vehicle Ready on Launch Pad

- Live Launch to be Broadcast on the Internet

GeoEye, Inc., announced today that the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB),
Calif. has approved a Sept. 6 launch for GeoEye-1. Hurricane Hanna has changed course away from Florida, so the Company's launch provider, United Launch Alliance (ULA), has mobilized personnel from the East Coast to the West Coast to support the new launch date. Final preparations for launch are underway.

'Live' Launch Video Feed

A 'live' switched video feed taken from Air Force range cameras will be uplinked to a transmission satellite beginning at 11 a.m. PDT, Sept. 6 with bars and tone. The feed will continue until about one hour after launch or until the satellite has successfully separated from the Delta II launch vehicle.

Satellite transponder and other information needed to downlink the video feed include:

Satellite: AMC-1 C17
Orbital Location: 103 Degrees West
Uplink Frequency: 6265 MHz Vertical
Downlink Frequency: 4040 MHz Horizontal
Audio: 6.2 and 6.8

A one-hour test signal will be broadcast Friday, Sept. 5 from VAFB beginning at 1 p.m. PDT. The test will include bars, tone and an identifying slate.

Prior to the scheduled test, media should verify their receiving equipment is capable of receiving C band signals and AMC-1 C17. For additional information on the satellite uplink contact Boeing Launch Services at (321) 446-4970.

Segments of GeoEye's corporate b-roll will be fed to the transmission satellite before and after launch. High-resolution b-roll may also be downloaded directly from GeoEye's special launch Web site (look under Multimedia).

Watch 'Live' on the Internet

The launch video and commentary will be streamed 'live' over the Internet beginning at about 11:15 a.m. PDT after feeding 15 minutes of bars and tone. The live Web broadcast can be accessed by visiting the GeoEye Web site or by going directly to the launch web site.

Boeing will also be webcasting the launcn.

GeoEye Launch web site

GeoEye main web site

Boeing launch website

Geo: International