Google announced on Friday that it is selling its satellite imaging business, Terra Bella, to San Francisco-based private satellite operator Planet Labs.
Planet Labs will acquire the Terra Bella business, including its SkySat constellation of satellites and after the deal closes Google will enter into a multi-year contract to purchase Earth-imaging data from Planet Labs.
The acquisition will diversify Planet’s available data and solutions and help the company serve new customers and markets.
Will Marshall, co-founder and CEO of Planet Labs, said that the SkySat constellation of 7 high resolution satellites is highly complementary to Planet’s existing medium resolution 60-satellite fleet.
“The former [7 high resolution satellites] enable regular, rapidly updated snapshots of select areas of the globe at sub-meter resolution; the latter [60-satellite medium resolution fleet] regular, global coverage at 3-5 meter resolution. The two systems under one roof will be truly unique and will enable valuable new capabilities,” Marshall said.
“When we thought about a company that shares Terra Bella’s passion and strengths in high frequency satellite imaging, Planet was a natural home,” said Jen Fitzpatrick, VP of Product and Engineering, Google. “Terra Bella has accomplished a lot in the past two years—including the design and launch of five more satellites. We’re excited to see what’s ahead for Terra Bella, and look forward to being a long-term customer.”
“From the start, Planet and Terra Bella have shared similar visions and approached aerospace technology from a like-minded position, and while our on-orbit assets and data are different, together we bring unique and valuable capabilities to users,” said Terra Bella Co-Founder John Fenwick. “Planet and Terra Bella together enables the continuation of our mission and makes for an ever-stronger business.”
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
