Skip to main content

Google’s ‘Skybox’ satellite imagery company rebranded as Terra Bella, more than a dozen satellites set to launch by 2020

Terra Bella 2016-03-08 10-25-45

Google acquired satellite imaging company Skybox two years ago for $500 million, and now the Mountain View company has rebranded the group as Terra Bella. The company, whose goal is “pioneering the search for patterns of change in the physical world,” also says that it has “more than a dozen satellites under development” that are scheduled to launch over the next few years…

Terra Bella, which is notably under the umbrella of Google (or at least it appears to be), was said to “help keep Google Maps accurate with up-to-date imagery” when the acquisition was first announced. “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 seems things have evolved beyond simply bolstering Google Maps.

What Skybox will be doing as “Terra Bella” has been left very ambiguous in today’s announcement. We know for sure that the company will “continue building spacecraft,” and that it has more than a dozen satellites to launch over the next few years. But as for products (or how these technologies will impact already-existing products), we’re just going to have to wait.

“We look forward to sharing more about the products we are developing,” the company says.

Terra Bella’s focus, per the announcement post:

As proud as we are to have played a leading role in developing satellite technologies, we have realized that our vision extends far beyond boxes in the sky. As Google revolutionized search for the online world, we have set our eyes on pioneering the search for patterns of change in the physical world. In order to focus firmly on the future, we’re pursuing that vision under a new name – Terra Bella.

If you want to learn more about Terra Bella, the company has today launched a brand new website for you to peruse.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Stephen Hall Stephen Hall

Stephen is Growth Director at 9to5. If you want to get in touch, follow me on Twitter. Or, email at stephen (at) 9to5mac (dot) com, or an encrypted email at hallstephenj (at) protonmail (dot) com.