Google may invest and partner with Spacex on global internet satellite network

Google is close to investing in rocket maker SpaceX, according to several people familiar with the talks, creating a formidable alliance in Silicon Valley’s accelerating Internet space race.

The purpose of a deal, which is still in the works, is to support the development of SpaceX satellites that could beam low-cost Internet around the globe to billions who don’t have it.

The price and terms Google and SpaceX are discussing couldn’t be learned although one person familiar with them said Google has agreed to value SpaceX north of $10 billion and that the size of the total round, which includes other investors, is very large.

Nextbigfuture had covered the interview where Elon Musk talked about creating a global internet network of hundreds of satellites.

Google had previously talked about launching their own network of 180 satellites (to complement their internet balloons and drones.

Elon Musk wants to use the revenue from a global internet network to fund the cost of building cities on Mars.

CNET also has some coverage