Next Generation Remote Sensing Satellite Will Increase Constellation Capacity

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 30 — (PRNewswire) — Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. will build the next generation commercial remote-sensing satellite for DigitalGlobe, provider of the world's highest resolution commercial satellite imagery and geospatial information products.  

Ball Aerospace previously built the trio of DigitalGlobe satellites currently on orbit including QuickBird launched in 2001, WorldView-1 launched in 2007, and WorldView-2 launched in 2009.  WorldView-3, anticipated to launch in 2014, will expand DigitalGlobe's orbiting constellation to four remote-sensing satellites.

"Our long partnership with DigitalGlobe is built on a strong record of performance and mission success in meeting the increased demand for Earth imaging collection," said Ball Aerospace President and CEO, David L. Taylor. "Our proven BCP 5000 spacecraft bus has consistently delivered reliability, capability and state-of-the-art technology to fulfill those needs."

Ball Aerospace will provide the BCP 5000 for WorldView-3, integrate the remote-sensing instrument onto the spacecraft bus, and perform all system testing.  The BCP 5000's power, stability, agility, and data storage and transmission capability, together meet the requirements to deliver comprehensive Earth remote-sensing information. The advanced Control Moment Gyroscopes provided for all the WorldView satellites afford the flexibility and agility to capture more imagery than ever before.

Technological innovations allow Ball Aerospace to apply select capabilities of classified spacecraft systems to its commercial imagery projects like WorldView-3, resulting in cost savings, risk reduction, and faster delivery for its customers.

ITT Corporation will build the imaging system for the WorldView-3 satellite.

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 metal and plastic packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,000 people worldwide and reported 2009 sales of more than $7.3 billion.

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 at our Web site 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; 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 current global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions, joint ventures or divestitures; integration of recently acquired businesses; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including in respect of climate change, 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; 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.

Contact:

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. DigitalGlobe ITT Corporation Roz Brown of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. Phone: +1-303-533-6059 Email Contact Web: http://www.ballaerospace.com