Google has acquired solar-powered drone manufacturer Titan Aerospace for an undisclosed sum, Digital Spy reported.

It is thought that the tech giant sought the start-up to push its internet access to the skies of remote areas.

"Atmospheric satellites could help bring internet access to millions of people, and help solve other problems, including disaster relief and environmental damage like deforestation," Google said in a statement.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the acquisition could support Google's Project Loon which launched last year with the aim of delivering internet access via balloons floating around the earth in stratospheric winds.

Facebook was reportedly poised to take over the firm before it went for Ascenta.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg apparently planned to deploy 11,000 drones over Africa to bring internet connectivity and improved communications to parts of the continent that currently lack it.

Titan chief executive Vern Raburn said that its 20-strong team would join Google but remain in New Mexico for the foreseeable future.