The satellite, now known as GeoEye-1, was originally scheduled for April 2008 but lost its 30-day launch slot to a U.S. government mission which had been delayed.

Delta rocket launches GeoEye 1 (google logo)

The launch took place successfully on September 6. Google, has its logo on the side of the rocket, have exclusive online mapping use of its data. While GeoEye-1 is capable of imagery with details the size of 41 centimetres (16 in), Google will have access to details of 50 centimetres (20 in).