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First Image from the IKONOS Satellite Shows Washington, D.C.World’s First High-Resolution Commercial Earth Image Reveals Remarkable DetailClick Here to View The First Image! Denver, Colo., October 12, 1999 – Today Space Imaging released the world’s first high-resolution commercial satellite image of the Earth. The one-meter resolution black-and-white image of Washington, D.C., collected by Space Imaging’s IKONOS satellite, has unprecedented clarity and detail for commercial space imagery. The image showcases part of the Mall area in the heart of Washington D.C., and is downloadable from the Space Imaging Web site (see details below). The image caption is also available on the Web. "The clarity and detail of this first IKONOS image is validation of the leadership position of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon in optical imaging systems," said John Copple, Space Imaging’s chief executive officer. "The launch was perfect and was itself a major milestone. Just three days after launch we were able to activate systems and start testing the collection capabilities of IKONOS – bringing us even closer to providing this new source of information to our customers. This is a remarkable achievement that would only have been possible with the heritage technology of Lockheed Martin and Raytheon." Copple continued, "The CARTERRA™ image of Washington, D.C., taken September 30, was validation that the satellite was in perfect working order. Although we still have to calibrate the system to further improve and characterize the imagery, we are very pleased of the results so far. I want to thank all of our customers, vendors, and investors for the support that has made this possible." Jeff Harris, Space Imaging’s president, added, "Space Imaging employees huddled together and watched the image come up on a large projected screen. Their awe-inspired reaction will no doubt be echoed by our customers and the industry. We are all so excited about this momentous event – the result of several years of hard work, dedication and commitment of our employees, and the patience and faith of our customers." The Washington, D.C. image is an example of the IKONOS satellite’s collection capabilities. The image has not been processed to have a map-accuracy quality. The IKONOS satellite also has a sensor that collects four-meter multispectral (color) imagery. As satellite calibrations and check-out continue, imagery from the multispectral sensor will be released. IKONOS imagery and products, marketed under Space Imaging’s CARTERRA™ brand name, will be available for sale to customers by the end of this year. Initial product orders are being taken by Space Imaging’s Customer Service Center (+301-552-0537 or 800-232-9037). The IKONOS satellite orbits the Earth in a sun-synchronous orbit - meaning it simply follows the sun as it travels around the globe - and its Eastman Kodak-built camera is an optical imaging device. The near-perfect optical sharpness of Kodak’s telescope has never been achieved in any commercial space camera. The satellite circles the globe 14 times per day, or once every 98 minutes. The imagery is stored in Space Imaging’s digital CARTERRA™ archive and can be made available to customers very quickly - in as little as a few hours or days. Images from the IKONOS satellite will have unlimited utility in a number of markets including state and local government, mapping, agriculture, forestry, emergency response, utilities, telecommunications, real estate, environment, national security, transportation, and insurance and risk management. Highly detailed maps of entire countries can be made for the first time. Farmers can more precisely monitor the health of crops and estimate yields. Scientists can look at environmentally sensitive areas and predict trends. Government officials can monitor and plan enlightened land use policies. City planners can further the development of new housing communities. New and emerging uses include measuring and mapping damage to properties after natural disasters, planning for emergency response, mapping transportation networks, developing in-vehicle navigation systems, and planning and developing real estate. "The potential uses for IKONOS imagery are vast and we have just begun to scratch the surface," said Copple. "The value of this new source of information will create a demand like we’ve never seen before for imagery of the Earth." The name IKONOS is derived from the Greek word for "image." The name is pronounced "Eye-KOH-nos." Space Imaging is a leading supplier of space imagery, aerial photography, mapping services, and derivative geographic information products and services. In addition to selling imagery from its IKONOS satellite, Space Imaging collects and distributes Earth imagery from the Indian Remote Sensing satellites, the U.S. Landsat, Canada’s RADARSAT, the European Space Agency’s ERS satellites and the Japanese JERS imaging system. The company also collects aerial images using its Digital Airborne Imaging System, DAIS 1™. Investors in Space Imaging’s IKONOS system include Lockheed Martin Corp., Raytheon Company, Mitsubishi Corporation, Singapore’s Van Der Horst Ltd., Korea’s Hyundai Space & Aircraft, Europe’s Remote Sensing Affiliates, Swedish Space Corporation and Thailand’s Loxley Public Company Ltd. To download a high-quality IKONOS image of Washington, D.C., visit one of these three Web sites: www.spaceimaging.com, newswire.spaceimaging.com or www.businesswire.com (click on "Today’s PhotoWire"). Credit line must say: "Space Imaging." For detailed information about Space Imaging and the recent launch of the IKONOS satellite, including archived video of the launch and audio of the post-launch news conference, visit www.connectlive.com/events/spaceimaging. To subscribe to Space Imaging’s free email Newswire service, visit newswire.spaceimaging.com. www.spaceimaging.com |
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