Branson Wants Google Earth in Fossett Search

Richard Branson said today he hopes to use Google Earth in the search for missing aviator Steve Fossett, whose small plane disappeared Monday over Nevada. The British billionaire and flying enthusiast wants to see if Google's satellite photos show where Fossett might have been heading, Reuters reports, and whether there were atmospheric disturbances that might have forced him down.

"We're worried (about) the fact that there's been no emergency beacon," said Branson, who called Fossett the world's greatest aviator. "He could be injured, which means the emergency services have just got to get to him as soon as possible." The search resumed today for Fossett, who was scouting sites for an attempt to break the world land speed record. (More Steve Fossett stories.)