WebProNews

Say what you will about a certain search giant, but the company can commit.  Google has leased 42.2 acres of land from NASA as part of an agreement that will stand for a minimum of 40 years.

Google has promised to pay NASA $3.66 million per year.  Assuming NASA doesn't raise the rent - and it will have opportunities to do so - this 40-year occupation will cost $146.4 million.  Then Google and NASA will have the option of extending the lease to a total of 90 years.

 Google's Leased Land

As for what's going to happen on NASA's land, a press release states, "Google will . . . construct up to 1.2 million square feet of offices and research and development facilities in a campus-style setting."  From there, it's hard to say whether search, advertising, or missions to Pluto will be on the agenda.

S. Pete Worden, the director of NASA's Ames Research Center, only commented, "This major expansion of NASA Research Park supports NASA's mission to lead the nation in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research."

In 2013, phase one of the new campus's construction is supposed to be completed.  Phase two should be done in 2018, with phase three finishing things off four years later.

Meanwhile, it remains impossible to state whether Yahoo will even remain an independent company six months from now.