Google has just confirmed its acquisition of tech startup
Skybox Imaging for $500 million. The company has been in the business of
building and launching small high-resolution imaging satellite that collects videos
and images mostly used for data collection purposes.
The deal, which was previously
reported to cost Google a billion dollars, will involve Skybox taking part
in a number of the search giant’s projects, specifically those from the Access and Energy team as well as Google’s
Geo team (includes Google Earth and Maps).
Moreover, the startup’s expertise and technology will be
used to help improve Google’s disaster relief efforts through its Earth
Enterprise projects that provides mapping data to large organizations and
businesses. But of course, the most obvious use for Skybox would be to extend
the coverage of Project
Loon.
