This story is Engadget getting hold of entirely the wrong end of the stick. In fact this satellite has nothing to do with Google Earth -- this article quite wrongly gives the impression that it is Google's mission -- but it is a panchromatic-only (black & white) instrument aimed at the defence market. So you won't be seeing much of its imagery -- certainly not on Google Earth. The Keyhole Google bought has nothing to do with the ultra-secret Keyhole satellites (KH-11 etc), operated by your own beloved U.S. Govt, which are the size and cost of Hubble (and you won't be seeing their imagery any time soon, either.)
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So now Google has even their satellites...
I wonder what kind of corporation it will become in 10-15-20 years.
A global empire. Pun intended.
Umbrella Corporation.
Skynet.
The Brotherhood of Google?
Been playing C&C lately?
Google has had their own satellites for years now, ever since they bought out Keyhole (which became Google Maps).
I personally welcome our search-engine overlords. May they reign forever.
Gmen.
This story is Engadget getting hold of entirely the wrong end of the stick. In fact this satellite has nothing to do with Google Earth -- this article quite wrongly gives the impression that it is Google's mission -- but it is a panchromatic-only (black & white) instrument aimed at the defence market. So you won't be seeing much of its imagery -- certainly not on Google Earth. The Keyhole Google bought has nothing to do with the ultra-secret Keyhole satellites (KH-11 etc), operated by your own beloved U.S. Govt, which are the size and cost of Hubble (and you won't be seeing their imagery any time soon, either.)