Google Earth revolutionized mapping technology by offering the everyday user access to detailed satellite imagery for the entire globe. Additionally, Google created detailed street maps, that have ...

Meanwhile, the unknown factor in Google Maps’ future operations is Google’s own satellite company–California-based Skybox. Google acquired Skybox for $500 million earlier this summer.

Ball Aerospace is the maker of Maps- and Earth-related imagery satellites and it’s now started working on the Worldview-3 satellite for commercial satellite operator DigitalGlobe, BBC News reports.