Google's process for these divestments is controversial. I know credible people who expressed a willingness to pay more than Planet, in cash, to management. They were turned away in preference of management's buddies.

I don't imagine this will hurt anyone during this administration. But down the road, these policies may bite out of those enacting them. Take care, with your own firms and when you're given questionable instructions, to treat your shareholders fairly.

I'm surprised that Google decided that microsat imaging market was a distraction. It seems very high potential and synergistic with Google's other space based endeavors.

Google acquired Skybox for $500M in 2014. Curious what changed so significantly in 2.5 years that a half a billion investment was no longer viable. Based on the terms of this deal, it appears they were only after the imaging data itself. I'm guessing Skybox's VC demanded an exit instead of a lucrative multi-year data contract?

I worked for Skybox [Google] in 2015 as a contactor. A very good set of people who, at the time, were still getting used to integrating into the Google machine. I imagine that the past few years have been and will be a continuous sea of change such as this.

That is great news for the Terra Bella employees that Planet decides to keep[1]. Anyone know where the rest are going? A friend of mine who was part of the Motorola Mobility acquisition noted that employees got a big boost in benefits/perks but their output and business had not changed. I wonder if that impacted this deal or if Ruth just didn't feel it was worth it. Nobody thinks twice about a press release that says "We decided to stop buying our imaging data from Planet" but they freak out if you say "we just laid off the entire Terra Bella team." So it gives them more flexibility to cut costs without the PR hit[2].

[1] "As part of this agreement, a number of Terra Bella employees will join Planet to continue their great work within our combined organization."

[2] Its cynical I know but given how important maps is to Google, and how important satellite imagery is to maps, this is not an easy move to explain as anything other than cutting out the cost of the employees.

Mapping tech has always fascinated me. Can anybody point me to resources to learn more about mapping, GIS, and other subjects relevant to the tech used in this industry? It's something I'd love to get involved with.

Pasting the text because the page is not friendly to JS-off browsing. There are a few satellite images if you click through to the article.

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Planet Labs is thrilled to announce that we have entered into an agreement with Google, wherein Planet will acquire the Terra Bella business including the SkySat constellation of satellites, and Google upon closing, will enter into a multi-year contract to purchase Earth-imaging data from Planet.

I can speak for everyone at Planet when I say that we’re incredibly excited about this opportunity. We’ve long admired what the team at Terra Bella has achieved and we think the SkySat constellation of 7 high resolution satellites is highly complementary to Planet’s existing medium resolution 60-satellite fleet. The former enable regular, rapidly updated snapshots of select areas of the globe at sub-meter resolution; the latter regular, global coverage at 3-5 meter resolution. The two systems under one roof will be truly unique and will enable valuable new capabilities.

Planet will distribute SkySat data through Planet’s suite of geospatial offerings. Planet’s global medium-resolution imagery has proven to be of great value in the commercial market, enabling us to exceed our revenue goals in 2016. With Terra Bella, Planet will diversify its available data and solutions and be able to serve new customers and markets.

As part of this agreement, a number of Terra Bella employees will join Planet to continue their great work within our combined organization. We’re honoured and pleased to welcome Terra Bella to the Planet family and look forward to working with the Google team.

“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.”

With this acquisition, rapid business growth, and the largest launches yet for both Terra Bella and Planet scheduled for this year, this will no doubt be Planet’s most impactful year yet!

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US.

Odd, but reminds me of when Google sold SketchUp (Acquired in 2006, sold in 2012).

Have there been many other Google acquisitions that turned into divestments?

- what is the impact to Spacenow, Orbital Insight or Descartes labs? - how big is the market of geo image analysis? as some one mentioned, there isn't too many customers beyond hedge funds/governments for these kind of data.

I wonder does Planet got TerraBella's IP (source code and schematics) too?

Wonder what's going with Planet since their CTO left abruptly.