Google is
to buy Skybox Imaging, a California-based satellite company. Google’s online
maps will benefit the most from the purchase, which could also facilitate
Internet access in remote locations.
The world's
top search engine announced on Tuesday plans to purchase Skybox Imaging, a
five-year-old satellite company situated right up the road from the Internet
giant. The deal was reportedly worth $500 million (369 million euros).
"We've
agreed to acquire Skybox Imaging, and we look forward to welcoming them to
Google," a statement from the Internet giant said.
"Their
satellites will help keep our maps accurate with up-to-date imagery. Over time,
we also hope that Skybox's team and technology will be able to help improve
Internet access and disaster relief - areas Google has long been interested
in," it added.
Skybox, for
its part, expressed its enthusiasm over the scheduled acquisition on its
website on Tuesday.
"Skybox
and Google…believe in making information (especially accurate geospatial
information) accessible and useful," the satellite company said, adding
that it looked forward to the partnership which might include building more
satellites.
"The
time is right to join a company who can challenge us to think even bigger and
bolder, and who can support us in accelerating our ambitious vision," it
added.
Google in
orbit
Skybox's
satellite already in orbit will reportedly supplement Google's images of the
earth distributed through its popular map function "Google Maps." The
Internet giant currently relies on other companies, including DigitalGlobe and
Astrium, for its geospatial information.
In the
future, Google might also use satellites to provide better Internet access
across the globe.
The deal,
whose date has not yet been released, is pending approval from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Communications
Commission.
The
announcement on Tuesday comes less than two months of Google bought drone manufacturer Titan Aerospace. The Internet giant is also in the process of
developing Project Loon, which aims to transmit the Internet to remote
locations via large, high-altitude balloons.
kms/se (AP, AFP, Reuters)
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