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GeoEye-1 Earth Imaging Satellite Captures Inaugural Celebration From Space

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 January 2009, 17:24 CST

DULLES, Va., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At 11:19 a.m. (EST) GeoEye-1, the world's highest resolution commercial Earth-imaging satellite, collected an image over the United States Capitol and the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. The image, taken from 423 miles in space, is the world's highest resolution, color satellite image of the Inaugural celebration.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090120/LA60730)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080625/LAW528LOGO)

The image, taken through high, whispy white clouds over Washington D.C., shows the monuments along the National Mall and masses of people between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. Among the many interesting features in the image are the clusters of people gathered around large jumbotron screens.

The image was taken by GeoEye's newest satellite, GeoEye-1, as it moved from north to south along the eastern seaboard of the United States traveling at 17,000 mph or about four miles per second. GeoEye-1 is the world's highest resolution commercial Earth imaging satellite. It is able to discern objects on the ground as small as 0.41-meter or about 16 inches in size, which represents an object about the size of home plate on a baseball diamond. However, due to current U.S. licensing restrictions the imagery is re-sampled to half-meter ground resolution. The satellite is currently in its final stages of check-out and calibration. The 4,300-pound satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. on Sept. 6, 2008.

GeoEye is making the imagery available at no cost. It is downloadable from the Company's website at www.geoeye.com under Featured Images. It may be used as long as there is a clear and distinct photo credit of: "GeoEye Satellite Image."

About GeoEye

GeoEye (Nasdaq: GEOY) is the premier provider of geospatial information for the national security community, strategic partners, resellers and commercial customers to help them better map, measure and monitor the world. The Company is recognized as the industry's trusted imagery expert for delivering reliable service and the exceptional quality of its imagery products and solutions. It operates a constellation of Earth imaging satellites, mapping aircraft and has an international network of ground stations, a robust imagery archive, and advanced imagery processing capabilities for developing innovative geospatial products and solutions. On September 6, GeoEye launched its GeoEye-1 satellite which is now the world's highest resolution and most accurate commercial imaging satellite. The Company also provides support to academic institutions and non-governmental organizations through the GeoEye Foundation. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, GeoEye is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol GEOY. It maintains a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) and has achieved company-wide ISO accreditation. For more information, visit http://www.geoeye.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," or "expect" and statements in the future tense are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. GeoEye's actual financial and operational results could differ materially from those anticipated. Additional information regarding these risk factors and uncertainties is described more fully in the Company's SEC filings. A copy of all SEC filings may be obtained from the SEC's EDGAR web site, www.sec.gov, or by contacting: William L. Warren, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, at 703-480-5672.

SOURCE GeoEye, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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