DigitalGlobe extends useful lives of two satellites and assigns initial life to WorldView-3

DigitalGlobe, Inc., a global provider of commercial high-resolution earth observation and geospatial solutions based in Longmont, CO, reported on December 19 that, as a result of its annual satellite life review, it will extend the useful lives of two of its satellites: WorldView-1 and WorldView-2. The company has also assigned an initial useful life to its newest satellite, WorldView-3 that is slightly longer than the original use lives assigned to WorldView-1 and WorldView-2.

“We have now completed an extended period of investment in building out the world’s leading earth observation capability,” said Jeffrey Tarr, CEO of DigitalGlobe. “Extending the useful lives of our satellites will further reduce the capital required to sustain this unmatched capability over the long term. We expect this to result in a less capital intensive business model, improved free cash flow and returns, and improving shareholder value.”

In addition, the use-life extensions will result in non-cash reductions to revenue and depreciation expense effective October 1, 2014.

WorldView-1, which was originally expected to reach its end of life in the second quarter of 2018, is now expected to reach end of life in the fourth quarter of 2020. As previously disclosed, the period of recognition of deferred revenue related to the NextView contract will be extended to reflect the new longer use life of WorldView-1. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2014, this change will reduce the non-cash amortization of NextView deferred revenue by $10.4 million annually and $2.6 million per quarter – from $25.5 million to $15.1 million per year, and from $6.4 million to $3.8 million per quarter. Depreciation expense on WorldView-1 will decrease by $18.4 million per year and $4.6 million per quarter.

WorldView-2, which was originally expected to reach its end of life in the fourth quarter of 2020, is now expected to reach end of life in the fourth quarter of 2022. This change reduces non-cash amortization of deferred revenue related to certain Direct Access contracts by $1.4 million annually and $0.3 million per quarter. Depreciation expense on WorldView-2 will decrease by $10.2 million per year and $2.6 million per quarter.

WorldView-3, which was launched in August 2014, has been assigned an initial use life of 11.5 years through the first quarter of 2026, leading to depreciation expense of $56.5 million annually beginning on Oct. 1, 2014.

Source: DigitalGlobe