Google acquires satellite imaging company SkyBox for $500 million, will eventually use it to keep Google Maps’ imagery up-to-date
Skybox Imaging is a company that takes high resolution photos using satellites, and Google Company just completed its final steps in acquiring it. The two have been in talks for several months now, and today SkyBox announced that it has been acquired by Google for $500 million.
Google says the key reason for acquiring Skybox’s satellites is to keep Google Maps’ imagery up-to-date. It also mentioned that it would use Skybox’s tech to help improve internet access and disaster relief efforts.
“Skybox’s satellites will help keep Google 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.”
Skybox imaging Company is based in Google’s home of Mountain View, (California) hence, simplified work for Google. The Company launched SkySat-1 last year and captured some of the world’s first HD video of Earth taken from space. And yesterday it successfully launched a follow-up SkySat-2 Earth observation satellite aboard a Soyuz-2 rocket from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skybox says that it has plans to launch 22 more satellites that will be used to collect additional high-resolution images of Earth and its landmarks.
“We are happy to announce the launch of SkySat-2 this morning aboard a Soyuz-2/Fregat rocket from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. We made contact with the satellite on the first pass.
Below is an image taken by SkySat-1 of SkySat-2’s launch pad on July 7, 2014 and a photo taken by Roscosmos of the Soyuz-2/Fregat rocket on July 8, 2014.
Onwards and upwards!”
Skybox is set to share its’ goals with Google family and work for the best.
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