Boeing

For the second time, Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been selected to launch another satellite for DigitalGlobe in support of the Colorado-based company's expanding space imaging business.

As with the October 2001 launch of DigitalGlobe's QuickBird satellite, Boeing will provide launch services aboard a Delta II rocket for DigitalGlobe's next generation satellite, WorldView. The launch will occur from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., no later than 2006.

Boeing is also partnering with DigitalGlobe to provide technical work for various support functions of the new WorldView satellite system.

"The demonstrated success of our launch team and the Delta II system has once again earned us the opportunity to support DigitalGlobe in their next mission," said Will Trafton, vice president and general manager, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "The successful launch of QuickBird in 2001 established DigitalGlobe as a major player in the commercial satellite imaging market. We are looking forward to providing another successful launch and ensuring that their business continues to grow and prosper."

"Since the successful launch of QuickBird, DigitalGlobe has become the dominant provider of imagery and information products to customers worldwide," said Herb Satterlee, chairman and chief executive officer of DigitalGlobe. "In addition to having selected Boeing as our launch provider, we also called upon them to provide technical support for the development of our WorldView system. This time, we're getting the best of both worlds with a highly reliable launch vehicle, and cutting edge engineering and production technologies all from one company."

Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems is part of an industry team providing engineering and co-production work for the WorldView system that will enable DigitalGlobe to offer a wide range of high-resolution earth images to customers worldwide.

"Boeing has partnered with DigitalGlobe on the development of the Worldview system," said John Werle, vice president and general manager, Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems Washington Operations. "We will provide imagery production services, requirements analysis, and implementation and testing of many collection management functions to ensure the needs of DigitalGlobe's customers are met."

Together, WorldView and QuickBird will have the capability to collect more than 4.5 times the imagery of current commercial imaging systems, enabling DigitalGlobe to expand its enhanced imagery products and services to existing and new global markets.