GeoEye, Inc.’s glass mirror blank for its advanced, nexgen Earth imaging satellite has been delivered to ITT Corporation. Last fall, GeoEye announced the company had contracted with ITT to start the phased development of the camera for GeoEye-2, slated for launch in 2011 Currently, GeoEye and ITT are working on the sensor electronics and other elements of the camera’s telescope, including the primary mirror. The company has also procured additional long-lead focal plane electronic
components from ITT which will be integrated into the next higher level of
assembly for the sensor system. ITT’s Space Systems Division will begin
grinding and polishing the mirror that measures 1.1 meter in diameter later
this summer. The satellite will be of the same general class as GeoEye-1 but
will benefit from significant improvements in capability, including enhanced
direct tasking, and the potential to collect imagery of the Earth’s surface
at 0.25-meter or 9.75-inch ground resolution.
GeoEye + ITT’s Glassy-Eyed Project
GeoEye, Inc.’s glass mirror blank for its advanced, nexgen Earth imaging satellite has been delivered to ITT Corporation. Last fall, GeoEye announced the company had contracted with ITT to start the phased development of the camera for GeoEye-2, slated for launch in 2011 Currently, GeoEye and ITT are working on the sensor electronics and other elements of the camera’s telescope, including the primary mirror. The company has also procured additional long-lead focal plane electronic
components from ITT which will be integrated into the next higher level of
assembly for the sensor system. ITT’s Space Systems Division will begin
grinding and polishing the mirror that measures 1.1 meter in diameter later
this summer. The satellite will be of the same general class as GeoEye-1 but
will benefit from significant improvements in capability, including enhanced
direct tasking, and the potential to collect imagery of the Earth’s surface
at 0.25-meter or 9.75-inch ground resolution.
