Skybox Imaging builds satellites and provides imagery and video, analytics and applications related to their launched satellites. Google announced an agreement to acquire Skybox Imaging in June 2014 for $500 million.
Google is expected to use the satellites and data provided by Skybox Imaging to enhance the already dominate Google mapping system. There is speculation that Google will utilize Skybox technology to drive improvements in other internet offerings in the near future.
According to a Google spokesman, “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.”
Skybox Imaging has launched two satellites since their founding in 2009.
