EarthWatch QuickBird Satellites Delayed By Gyro Problems

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted EarthWatch Inc. more time to construct QuickBird 1 and 2. The delay has been caused by problems with the laser gyroscope. The laser gyroscope which was to have been provided by L3 Navigation Systems (formerly Allied Signal) has experienced degraded on-orbit performance on several recently launched commercial and government spacecraft. EarthWatch has ordered new gyros from another manufacturer, paying a premium to expedite delivery. The FCC concluded that "EarthWatch has shown convincingly that its original gyroscope is not likely to work as planned and this component failure would seriously impact its proposed service. In addition, EarthWatch has more than commenced construction of QuickBird-1 and QuickBird-2. Construction is well underway and is progressing." The construction of QuickBird 1 is scheduled to be finished by November 2000, and QuickBird 2 in April 2001. QuickBird 1 is now scheduled for launch in April 2001, QuickBird 2 in December 2001.
  

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