SkySat
| File:Skybox Imaging logo.jpg | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Information Services |
| Founded | January 2009 |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, California |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Services | Satellite imagery, video, and analytics of Earth |
Number of employees | 125 |
| Website | www |
Skybox Imaging is a private company providing commercial high-resolution satellite imagery, high-definition video and analytics services. The Mountain View, California-based company was founded in 2009 by Dan Berkenstock, Julian Mann, John Fenwick, and Ching-Yu Hu.[1] Skybox was named no. 1 on Inc. magazine's 25 Most Audacious Companies in 2014.[2]
The resolution of the company’s images and videos is high enough to observe objects that impact the global economy like terrain, cars and shipping containers. Skybox says its satellites can capture video clips lasting up to 90 seconds at 30 frames per second.[3] The high-definition satellite video from Skybox satellites “could help us understand our world better by analyzing movement of goods and people, providing visual data about supply chains, shipping, industrial plant activity, and even humanitarian relief efforts.” (Scientific American) [3]
The company’s goal is to be able to provide high-resolution satellite imagery of any place on Earth multiple times a day.[4] Skybox has plans to “change the nature” of the satellite industry by building satellites with “off-the-shelf” electronics that cost under $50 million.[5]
Skybox has raised a total of $91 million from Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Canaan Partners and Norwest Venture Partners.[4]
On November 21, 2013, Skybox’s first satellite, SkySat-1, launched on the Dnepr rocket from Yasny, Russia.[6] The company plans to launch two satellites in 2014,[7] eventually launching a fleet of 24 satellites.[8]
Skybox released the first images captured by its SkySat-1 satellite on December 11, 2013, of Perth, Abu Dhabi, and the coast of Somalia.[5] On December 27, 2013, the company revealed the world’s first high definition video of Earth from space.[9]
On June 10, 2014, Skybox announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Google for US$500 million.[10][11]
References
- ^ Perry, Tekla S. (1 May 2013). "Start-up Profile: Skybox Imaging". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ "25 Companies That Are Changing the World". Inc. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ a b Wogan, David (30 December 2013). "High-definition video from space is available for purchase. Finally". Scientific American. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ a b Burns, Matt (17 April 2012). "Skybox Imaging Raises $70M To Launch Two High-Res Imaging Microsatellites". TechCrunch. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ a b Truong, Alice (11 December 2013). "Proof That Cheaper Satellites Still Can Take Incredibly Detailed Photos of Earth". Fast Company. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Clark, Stephen. "Silo-launched Dnepr rocket delivers 32 satellites to space". Website. Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ McGlaun, Shane (30 December 2013). "Skybox Imaging shows off HD video taken from a satellite in orbit". SlashGear. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Eisenberg, Anne (10 August 2013). "Microsatellites: What Big Eyes They Have". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ Ballaban, Michael (28 December 2013). "Watch The First High-Definition Video Of Earth Available From Space". Jalopnik. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
- ^ http://investor.google.com/releases/2014/0609.html
- ^ ""Skybox Imaging + Google"".