Colo. Gov. Hickenlooper declares Aug. 14 ‘WorldView-3 Day’

Governor John Hickenlooper proclaimed August 14 WorldView-3 Day in Colorado, in recognition of the launch of DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-3 satellite, the first multi-payload, high-resolution commercial imaging satellite, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

WorldView-3 is the first commercial satellite to feature high-resolution shortwave infrared bands that allow accurate imaging through haze, fog, dust and smoke, and it will provide unprecedented views of Earth that will aid climate study, disaster and humanitarian relief, defense and intelligence applications, and many commercial industries.

“WorldView-3 is truly a Colorado endeavor,” said Hickenlooper. “The fact that this cutting-edge satellite was built for a Colorado company, by Colorado companies, and launched by Colorado companies, speaks to our state’s remarkable aerospace industry and economy.”

DigitalGlobe, a provider of commercial high-resolution earth observation and advanced geospatial solutions, worked with Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. to build WorldView-3, the next-generation remote-sensing satellite. Exelis built the satellite’s imaging payload, and it was launched by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services on an Atlas V rocket, provided by United Launch Alliance (ULA).

“Congratulations to all of the companies that are a part of the WorldView-3 mission,” Hickenlooper said. “Proclaiming today as WorldView-3 Day is a fitting opportunity to shine a significant spotlight on our state’s leading role in satellite and geospatial technologies.”

WorldView-3 Day and the WorldView-3 partnership between the five Colorado companies, including DigitalGlobe, Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Exelis, and ULA, builds upon Colorado’s strong position in the global aerospace industry as the nation’s third-largest aerospace economy.