The third satellite in a series to employ the Ball Commercial Platform (BCP) 5000, WorldView-3 is slated for launch in mid-2014. For more than a decade Ball Aerospace has partnered with DigitalGlobe to deliver increasingly advanced imaging satellites, including WorldView-2 in 2009, WorldView-1 in 2007, and QuickBird in 2001.
"Our experience building spacecraft for DigitalGlobe has allowed for quick progress on WorldView-3," said Cary Ludtke, vice president and general manager of Ball's Operational Space business unit. "WorldView-3 will be a highly capable spacecraft based on a low risk design with proven results. We're eager for it to join DigitalGlobe's growing constellation."
Currently the integration of the control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) and the propulsion module is underway in anticipation of the ITT Exelis imaging sensor delivery in mid-2013. Following successful sensor integration and checkout, environmental testing of the completed satellite is scheduled to begin in this fall.
WorldView-3 will offer 31 centimeter resolution panchromatic, 1.24 meter resolution eight-band multispectral and 3.72 meter resolution eight-band Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) imagery. U.S. government restrictions require DigitalGlobe's imagery provided to non-U.S. government customers be limited to no more than 50 centimeters panchromatic, 2.0 meter multispectral or, 7.5 meter SWIR.
WorldView-3 builds upon the WorldView-2 and WorldView-1 technology by carrying forward the satellite's advanced CMGs. The CMGs reorient a satellite over a desired collection area in 4-5 seconds, compared to 30-45 seconds needed for traditional reaction wheels. As WorldView-3 joins the modern fleet of WorldView-class satellites, DigitalGlobe will have the largest high resolution satellite imagery collection capacity in the industry.
In addition, the range of customer applications enabled by the DigitalGlobe constellation and overall value DigitalGlobe can provide to customers is greatly expanded by issuance of a license from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to collect eight-band short-wave infrared imagery. Jeff Culwell, vice president of DigitalGlobe's data business line notes this will allow WorldView-3 the ability to sense both the visible spectrum as well as deeper into the infrared spectrum that provides a rich dataset to precisely identify different manmade and natural materials.
About DigitalGlobe
DigitalGlobe is a leading provider of commercial high-resolution earth observation and advanced geospatial solutions that help decision makers better understand our changing planet to save time, money and lives. Sourced from the world's leading constellation, our imagery solutions deliver unmatched coverage and capacity to meet the most demanding mission requirements. Each day customers in defense and intelligence, public safety, civil agencies, mapping and analysis, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure management, Internet portals and navigation technology depend on DigitalGlobe data, information, technology and expertise to gain actionable insight. For more information, visit
www.digitalglobe.com. DigitalGlobe is a registered trademark of DigitalGlobe.
About Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit
www.ballaerospace.com.
Ball Corporation (NYSE: BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food, and household products, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ approximately 15,000 people worldwide and reported 2012 sales of more than $8.7 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates, " "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at
www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.
SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
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