An irregularity in the GeoEye-1 downlink antennae is limiting its range of motion and affecting the ability to image and downlink simultaneously. Imagery collections were suspended for a few days after the irregularity was discovered on Dec. 11. The glitch was discussed in the company’s quarterly earnings call, and the company speculated that the problem could impact 2010 revenue by as much as 10 percent.
The problem is of greatest significance for overseas customers that operate facilities that require image gathering and downlinking. The problem does not impact the company’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency work as this imagery is delivered to ground stations that separate image taking and image downlinking.
