06 June 2008

Google turns to NASA when the world is not enough

Ever since 2006 when Google signed the Space Agreement Act, a deal with Nasa to put "the most useful of Nasa's information on the internet", it seems Google has been trying to get closer and closer to the US space agency. Now they are even trying to move in.

Since signing the agreement, Google has produced a series of projects, to make information garnered from Nasa more available and improve the usability. Additions to Google Earth have offered users have the ability to view the Sky - allowing them to "explore the entire universe using the best available astronomical images." Google has also stated that it is looking to make available data from some of its lab projects such as Google Moon and Google Mars, visible using Google Earth, and has already started by including photographic image overlays of various heavenly bodies.

Not content with just mapping space, Google also appears to be trying to create their own virtual universes for people to explore with projects like Exastris, which Google describes as, "a game in the style of Elite, Space Trader, etc. Featuring space exploration in a randomly generated universe."

The scope of Google's ever closer ties with Nasa was demonstrated last year as co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin caused some consternation following a deal with the space agency to allow them to use Moffett Federal Airfield, a private Government managed airfield, for their own private jets.

Now Google plan an initial 40 year lease of 1.2 million square feet of undeveloped land from Nasa in order to build a new high-tech research, development and office campus facility.

Google's vice-president of real estate and workplace services, David Radcliffe, believes that the agreement will be of benefit to both parties, by enhancing the reputation of Nasa's research park, creating closer connections with Silicon Valley and allowing Nasa to utilise some of the additional brain power which will be right on its doorstep.

With advanced technology, massive wealth, access to Nasa facilities and research and search-world domination already covered, the only questions left are; has Google already started to build a secret base hidden in an extinct volcano and do either Larry Page and Sergey Brin own a white cat?

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