Google Satellite executive Greg Wyler has left Google and has reportedly been seen frequenting the SpaceX office, according to The Wall Street Journal. Neither Wyler nor the two companies have commented on his abrupt departure, which comes just months after he was hired to assist in Google’s attempt at creating a global internet service. Although he is reportedly working in close proximity with billionaire Elon Musk, The Wall Street Journal cites sources as stating that the satellite communications expert is not a SpaceX employee.
A key employee leading Google Inc.’s efforts to beam Internet access from satellites has left the company and is now working closely with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and its founder Elon Musk, according to people familiar with the matter. The employee, Greg Wyler, had joined Google last year as part of a $1 billion-plus Google effort to offer Internet access to unwired parts of the globe. It is unclear what Mr. Wyler’s departure means for that project. When he left, Mr. Wyler took with him the rights to certain radio spectrum that could be used to provide Internet access, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person said Mr. Wyler had formed a new venture, WorldVu Satellites Ltd., that designs satellite systems and controls the rights to that spectrum. Brian Holz and David Bettinger, who joined Google with Mr. Wyler from O3b Networks Ltd., also have left Google, according to the person familiar with the matter. O3b is a private satellite company founded by Mr. Wyler.
