INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: GeoEye

GIF 2009 Volume: 7 Issue: 6 (November/December)

 

A: In February 2009, we commissioned GeoEye-1, the world’s highest resolution commercial earth imaging satellite. With its ITT-built camera, it can see objects on the ground as small as 16 inches in size. And, it can map an object that size almost precisely to its true location on the planet’s surface. We built and launched GeoEye-1 under the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency NextView program, and we did it within four years of contract award and under budget.

We hope to repeat that success with GeoEye-2. GeoEye-2 could have a ground resolution as fine as 0.25 meters, or almost 10 inches. We’re prepared to accelerate development so we can launch in late 2012 if we get the go-ahead from the NGA. Also new for 2010, we’re building a subscription- based Web services platform that will streamline the management and delivery of location intelligence, resulting in faster, smarter and more cost-effective and collaborative decision-making.

Q: How will this benefit the military and intelligence communities?

A: High-resolution commercial satellite imagery is a near- and long-term supplement to the government’s existing imagery architecture. Imagery from commercial data providers is unclassified and easily shared with allies and coalition partners. It’s used for keeping mapping databases current, for mission planning and for humanitarian relief operations. Access to imagery is important, and we plan to make access even easier in the coming year. Forward-deployed personnel expect geospatial Web services tailored for their needs. We’re moving beyond just supplying pixels; we’re providing our customers in defense and intelligence agencies advanced geospatial information services. We’re streamlining the management and delivery of location intelligence, so imagery can be used in decision making, as well as mapping.

Q: How does your company view the Obama administration’s “Imagery Way Ahead” plan?

A: According to public comments, NGA is releasing proposals for a new commercial satellite imagery program called Enhanced- View. This program supports the high-level “Imagery Way Ahead” or “Two Plus Two” plan approved by the director of national intelligence, secretary of defense and the president himself in April for continued access to next-generation classified intelligence systems and increased use of U.S. commercial providers.

The EnhancedView pursuit is extremely important to us, because it allows us to build on our decades-long heritage of service to NGA. With an EnhancedView award, we’ll continue that relationship well into the future. In 2002, it was ClearView; then it was NextView; now it’s EnhancedView. With each program, U.S. commercial imagery providers met the imagery requirements of NGA in a very cost-effective manner. The NextView program was, and the EnhancedView program will be, a great example of successful public-private partnerships. American industry plays an important role in the agency’s mission to support the warfighter by delivering timely geospatial intelligence for our nation.

Q: How would you describe the company’s current stance in the competitive marketplace?

A: We’re an industry leader. Last October, the company raised $400 million in a bond offering at favorable rates. The proceeds from this offering provide the financial flexibility for future growth, including the continued development of GeoEye-2. Revenues for third quarter 2009 were up 123 percent over the same period in 2008. In this economy, not many companies have this track record.We have a growing global sales network of 12 big strategic business partners, which include government and commercial partners, and more than 100 resellers around the world.

Q: What impact do you think the growing number of international providers in your field will have on the market?

A: An increase in international providers can only contribute to increased use of geospatial technology. With an expected increase in providers, advancements in sensors and image processing, and a greater willingness by governments to embrace the benefits of global observation, we’re well positioned for future growth. Governments are beginning to fully integrate satellite imagery technology into the way they do business and have put fears about the negative impact of global observation behind them.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: Our employees feel we have an obligation and social responsibility to share our technology and resources to help train others to use geospatial technologies. As a result, we created the GeoEye Foundation in March 2007 to award imagery grants to universities and non-governmental organizations that need satellite imagery for their research. The foundation is a separate and distinct entity from GeoEye and has its own board of directors. The GeoEye Foundation has approved more than 90 imagery requests totaling some 80,000 square kilometers. Students have used our imagery for archaeology, coastal zone management, land cover assessment, climate change, forestry, geospatial intelligence and many other studies. Non-governmental organizations have used our imagery for humanitarian relief and disaster response. These entities are doing important, interesting work, and it’s satisfying for our employees and stakeholders to know that we’ve contributed to their successful research. The foundation particularly supports schools with U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation-certified programs. ♦

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