Google could soon invest up to $1 billion in SpaceX's new satellite Internet project.
This news comes according to reports stating that the two companies are currently in talks about Elon Musk's latest project: space-based satellites delivering worldwide Internet access.
Google announced last year that it planned to invest over $1 billion in a fleet of satellites for Internet access, as part of its O3b project. That project's lead was Greg Wyler, who later left the company and founded OneWeb. Unfortunately, Wyler took his rights to the satellites' radio frequency with him, leaving Google's project stagnant.
However, now that Musk has announced a similar venture, Google can re-enter the Internet satellite market by investing in SpaceX's efforts. Google has committed to delivering Internet access, specifically to those poor and remote parts of the world currently without it, and Musk's plans fit the bill.
"Our focus is on creating a global communications system that would be larger than anything that has been talked about to date," says Musk.
Sources suggest that Google and SpaceX are now in the "final stages" of talks about the investment, although SpaceX has interest from other potential investors for the project as well.
SpaceX's plan involves sending hundreds of Internet-delivering satellites into space, about 750 miles above Earth. From there, they would beam Internet access across the planet, possibly faster than fiber optic cables.
As always, though, Musk dreams bigger than even that: he hopes that eventually his Internet satellites can beam Internet to the surface of Mars in preparation for the future city he hopes he'll build there someday.
That might sound like science fiction, but most believe that if anyone can accomplish such a feat, it's Musk. He is, after all, the man responsible for the Hyperloop, reusable rockets and the Tesla automobile.
Google has experimented with similar projects, including using large helium balloons and drones to deliver Internet access to remote areas of the world. Its Project Loon is currently undergoing testing in Australia.
Both SpaceX and Google are hush-hush about any possible negotiations about teaming up, but as the two companies share similar aims in their Internet-delivering projects, it makes sense.
Wyler also recently announced that OneWeb is planning a similar endeavour and has secured funding from Richard Brandon's Virgin Group and Qualcomm.
However, Musk, who is a lifelong friend of Wyler's, insists that his plans are different and "more sophisticated."
[Photo Credit: Google]
