Google has renamed its satellite subsidiary Skybox Imaging as Terra Bella.
Founded in January 2009, Skybox Imaging was acquired by Google in June 2014 for $500m to help keep imagery updated more quickly, enhance worldwide internet access, and assist in disaster relief.
Skybox imagery was not seen in Google Earth, because it offers lower resolution than that offered by the search engine’s usual imagery suppliers.
Google said Skybox has produced some interesting products over the years despite the lower resolution.
Skybox founders Dan Berkenstock, John Fenwick and Ching-Yu Hu wrote in a blogpost, "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."
Terra Bella plans to launch more satellites in the coming years. The company is working with an array of geospatial data sources, machine learning capabilities, and experts in building spacecraft.
The company said the resources will give it an ability to transform raw imagery into data to help people and organisations make better decisions.
"In the coming year, we look forward to sharing more about the products we are developing and how users will be able to access them," the founders said.
Terra Bella has already developed a high-resolution, small satellite platform which it claims to provide rapid response, high-resolution imagery at a fraction of the cost of traditional imaging satellites.
The company uses a two-dimensional sensor array with an image filter to capture a higher quality images by taking various frames per second and stitching them on the ground.
The first two satellites of Terra Bella’s constellation were launched in November 2013 and July 2014.
Google is investing more than $1bn to deploy a fleet of satellites for improving internet access in remote areas across the globe.
