DigitalGlobe can now confirm that it plans to complete WorldView-3 on its original schedule to be ready for launch in mid-2014 in order to meet the requirements of its EnhancedView contract with the U.S. government. That contract calls for completion and launch of WorldView-3, which will offer the most spectral diversity available commercially and be the first to offer multiple Short-Wave Infrared bands that allow for accurate imaging through haze, fog, dust, smoke and other air-born particulates. DigitalGlobe's largest customer, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), has confirmed the requirements of DigitalGlobe's EnhancedView contract remain unchanged.
Accordingly, following its just completed combination with GeoEye, DigitalGlobe intends to complete the construction of GeoEye-2 in 2013 and to preserve it as a ground spare to meet customer demand or as a replacement for other on-orbit satellites. Previously, GeoEye had expected to launch GeoEye-2 in 2013.
"After careful consideration and discussions with our largest customer and others, we have determined that launching WorldView-3 and preserving GeoEye-2 as a ground spare will best meet the collective needs of customers and shareowners alike," said Jeffrey R. Tarr, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This plan reduces our risk profile and capital footprint, while giving our customers access to the most advanced earth observation capabilities available commercially. Furthermore, as we move forward, if demand exceeds our expectations, we will be well positioned to quickly expand our constellation. GeoEye-2 and WorldView-3 are extraordinary satellites, and I want to thank all of our team members and partners for their continued efforts toward their completion."
Since completing its combination with GeoEye, DigitalGlobe now provides customers with access to a constellation of five earth observation satellites and a broad suite of high-value geospatial production and analytic services. Customers will benefit from a larger constellation with optimized orbits, and coordinated scheduling will collect imagery faster, increase persistence and enhance resilience.
DigitalGlobe intends to provide full-year 2013 financial guidance and an updated capital expenditure forecast when it announces fourth quarter 2012 and full year 2012 earnings on February 26, 2013.
About WorldView-3
WorldView-3 is expected to be the first super-spectral, high-resolution commercial satellite. Operating at an expected altitude of 617 km, WorldView-3 will provide 31 cm panchromatic resolution, 1.24 m multispectral resolution in 8 spectral bands, and 3.7 m Short-Wave Infrared resolution in an additional 8 spectral bands. WorldView-3 will be capable of collecting up to 680,000 km2 per day, bringing the collection capacity of the DigitalGlobe constellation to over 4.2 million km2 per day. Launching in 2014, the WorldView-3 system will allow DigitalGlobe to further expand its imagery product offerings. For more information, please visit:
www.digitalglobe.com/worldview3.
About DigitalGlobe
DigitalGlobe is a leading provider of commercial high-resolution earth observation and advanced geospatial solutions that help decision makers better understand our changing planet in order to save lives, resources and time. Sourced from the world's leading constellation, our imagery solutions deliver unmatched coverage and capacity to meet our customers' most demanding mission requirements. Each day customers in defense and intelligence, public safety, civil agencies, map making and analysis, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure management, navigation technology, and providers of location-based services depend on DigitalGlobe data, information, technology and expertise to gain actionable insight.
In January 2013, DigitalGlobe and GeoEye combined to become one DigitalGlobe, creating a company capable of providing greater value to customers through an integrated constellation and a broader set of products and services. For more information on the combination and its benefits, visit www.digitalglobe.com/combination.
DigitalGlobe is a registered trademark of DigitalGlobe.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document may contain or incorporate forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future financial performance and generally can be identified by the use of terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue" or "looks forward to" or the negative of these terms or other similar words, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.
This document contains forward-looking statements relating to the strategic combination of DigitalGlobe and GeoEye pursuant to a merger. All statements, other than historical facts, including statements regarding the expected benefits of the transaction such as efficiencies, cost savings, tax benefits, enhanced revenues and cash flow, growth potential, market profile and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of the combined company; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, that (1) the anticipated benefits of the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; (2) the costs or challenges related to the integration of DigitalGlobe and GeoEye operations could be greater than expected; (3) the ability of the combined company to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers or other business partners; (4) the impact of legislative, regulatory, competitive and technological changes; (5) the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company may be different from what the companies expect; (6) other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of the companies' control, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (7) the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the transaction; and (8) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in DigitalGlobe's and GeoEye's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including their respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, which are available on the SEC's website ( www.sec.gov). There can be no assurance that the expected benefits of the strategic combination will be realized.
DigitalGlobe does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.
Contacts Investor Contact: David Banks (303) 684-4210 Email Contact Media Contact: Robert Keosheyan (303) 684-4742 Email Contact