Google's $1.16 billion deal with NASA will allow the tech company to lease NASA's Moffett Airfield in northern California for the next 60 years.
Google will also give NASA $200 million to improve the property, including restoration of the 80-year-old Hangar One. Google will be able to use Hangar One, along with two other hangars, for robotics development and space exploration. Negotiations for Google to use the 1,000-acre airfield began in February.
"As NASA expands its presence in space, we are making strides to reduce our footprint here on Earth," NASA administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement. "We want to invest taxpayer resources in scientific discovery, technology development and space exploration — not in maintaining infrastructure we no longer need." According to NASA, the deal with Google will save it $6.3 million a year in maintenance costs.
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