VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Sept. 6 CA-satellite-launched
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- An United
Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, on behalf of Boeing Launch Systems,
successfully launched the GeoEye-1 satellite at 11:51 a.m. PDT, today.
Blasting off from Space Launch Complex 2 here, it marked the second ULA Delta
II mission from Vandenberg in 2008. GeoEye-1 will provide the highest
resolution of any commercial imaging system -- 0.41-meters or 16 inches for
panchromatic (black and white) imagery and multispectral (color) imagery at
1.65-meter resolution.
Following a nearly 59 minute flight, the GeoEye-1 spacecraft was deployed
on its mission equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated technology,
capable of offering three-meter accuracy. This allows end users to map natural
and man-made features to within three meters of their actual locations on the
surface of the Earth without ground control points.
"ULA is pleased to have successfully launched the GeoEye-1 satellite for
our GeoEye and Boeing Launch Systems customers," said Jim Sponnick, ULA vice
president, Delta Product Line. "We are excited to be part of the team that
built and launched this advanced satellite technology, which will ultimately
provide the highest-resolution view of our home planet ever available to
scientists, businesses, the US government, and private citizens."
The ULA Delta II 7420-10 configuration vehicle featured a first stage
booster powered by a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A main engine and four
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) strap-on solid rocket motors. An Aerojet AJ10-118K
engine powered the second stage. The payload was encased by a 10-foot-diameter
composite payload fairing. The vehicle guidance and navigation system for the
Delta launch vehicles is provided by L-3 Space & Navigation's Redundant
Inertial Flight Control Assembly (RIFCA).
"On behalf of the United Launch Alliance, I congratulate L-3
Communications on their outstanding achievement of the 100th consecutive
successful RIFCA flight on this GeoEye-1 mission," said Sponnick. "Today's
launch was a significant milestone for our L-3 partners after a long history
of support to the Delta II, Delta III, and Delta IV vehicles."
ULA began assembling the Delta II launch vehicle in Decatur, Ala., nearly
two years ago. In late May the first stage arrived here from Decatur, followed
by the second stage in June. The vehicle was erected on the stand at SLC-2,
July 3, with solid rocket motor installation completed by July 9. The GeoEye-1
spacecraft was mated to the Delta II booster Aug. 7.
ULA's next launch is a National Reconnaissance office mission scheduled
for Oct. 17, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., aboard a Delta IV
Heavy from SLC-37.
ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions
are headquartered in Denver, Colo., supported by transition employees in
Huntington Beach, Calif. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations
are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, San Diego, Calif., and Denver,
Colo. Launch operations are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,
Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA website at
www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321
(852-4321).
SOURCE United Launch Alliance
