<p>Internet search provider Google has entered into an agreement to buy satellite maker Skybox for USD 500 million in cash.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The deal is expected to make the search engine giant to serve as a launching pad to send its own satellite to take aerial pictures and provide online access to remote areas of the world.<br /><br />Skybox's satellites will help keep Google Maps accurate with up-to-date imagery, the Silicon Valley-based company said in a statement yesterday.<br /><br />"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 said.<br /><br />The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US, Google said.<br /><br />Making the announcement, Skybox said the deal is not complete yet.<br /><br />"Five years ago, we began the Skybox journey to revolutionise access to information about the changes happening across the surface of the Earth.<br /><br />"We've made great strides in the pursuit of that vision," it said. We've built and launched the world's smallest high-resolution imaging satellite, which collects beautiful and useful images and video every day.<br /><br />"We have built an incredible team and empowered them to push the state-of-the-art in imaging to new heights.<br /><br />"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 said.<br /><br />Skybox and Google, the statement said, believe in making information (especially accurate geospatial information) accessible and useful.<br /><br />"And to do this, we're both willing to tackle problems head on — whether it's building cars that drive themselves or designing our own satellites from scratch," it said.</p>
<p>Internet search provider Google has entered into an agreement to buy satellite maker Skybox for USD 500 million in cash.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The deal is expected to make the search engine giant to serve as a launching pad to send its own satellite to take aerial pictures and provide online access to remote areas of the world.<br /><br />Skybox's satellites will help keep Google Maps accurate with up-to-date imagery, the Silicon Valley-based company said in a statement yesterday.<br /><br />"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 said.<br /><br />The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US, Google said.<br /><br />Making the announcement, Skybox said the deal is not complete yet.<br /><br />"Five years ago, we began the Skybox journey to revolutionise access to information about the changes happening across the surface of the Earth.<br /><br />"We've made great strides in the pursuit of that vision," it said. We've built and launched the world's smallest high-resolution imaging satellite, which collects beautiful and useful images and video every day.<br /><br />"We have built an incredible team and empowered them to push the state-of-the-art in imaging to new heights.<br /><br />"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 said.<br /><br />Skybox and Google, the statement said, believe in making information (especially accurate geospatial information) accessible and useful.<br /><br />"And to do this, we're both willing to tackle problems head on — whether it's building cars that drive themselves or designing our own satellites from scratch," it said.</p>