Spire Global has secured a $3.7 million NOAA contract for satellite weather data. The agreement will run from September 18 through December 1, 2026. Spire Global, Inc. announced the award from Vienna, Virginia. The company provides satellite data, analytics, and intelligence worldwide.
Under the agreement, Spire will continue supplying global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) data. The contract also includes RO profiles with Temporal Resolution Enhancements. These enhancements provide a broader range of time sampling for atmospheric observations. As a result, the data can capture atmospheric changes across different periods.
NOAA Expands Commercial Radio Occultation Data Use
The Spire Global NOAA contract marks a new step for commercial radio occultation data. NOAA has purchased these enhanced RO profiles as a distinct contract deliverable. This marks the first such procurement under a commercial RO contract. Spire will provide near-real-time GNSS-RO data through its satellite capabilities.
The data provides detailed vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, and humidity worldwide. These measurements support weather forecasting and atmospheric monitoring. Moreover, Temporal Resolution Enhancements expand the timing of available observations. Orbital planes positioned for broader time coverage collect these additional measurements.
This approach helps track atmospheric conditions as they change during the day. It also provides observations during periods that traditional global RO coverage missed. Consequently, the enhanced data can strengthen weather observation capabilities. It can also support forecasting systems that depend on timely atmospheric measurements.
“NOAA’s continued use of Spire’s data reflects the confidence we’ve built through years of delivering reliable, operational weather observations at global scale,” said Theresa Condor, Chief Executive Officer at Spire Global. “Government and commercial partnerships are critical to advancing weather forecasting, combining the innovation and speed of the commercial sector with the mission expertise of agencies like NOAA to bring proven capabilities into operations and ultimately help businesses and communities better prepare.”
Spire Global Continues NOAA Weather Data Partnership
The new Spire Global NOAA contract continues the company’s longstanding relationship with the agency. Spire has supplied operational satellite weather data to NOAA for several years. In 2025, NOAA awarded Spire $11.2 million for GNSS-RO data. The award came under NOAA’s Commercial Weather Data Program.
The contract operated through the Radio Occultation Data Buy II Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) agreement. Since then, NOAA has outlined plans for its next commercial RO data acquisition phase. That next phase will begin on December 1, 2026. Therefore, Spire’s latest award supports the company’s continued participation in NOAA’s commercial weather data activities.
The development also highlights the expanding role of commercial satellite data. Government agencies increasingly use commercial capabilities to support operational weather forecasting.
Commercial Satellite Data Supports Weather Forecasting
Spire’s work with NOAA demonstrates the value of commercial satellite observations. These systems provide atmospheric information that can support forecasting operations. Furthermore, satellite-based weather data can provide observations across large geographic areas. GNSS radio occultation adds measurements from different atmospheric levels.
Earlier this month, NOAA also awarded Spire another contract extension. That agreement is worth $3 million and covers six months. Under the extension, Spire will continue providing Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HyMS) data. The award further expands Spire’s role in supplying commercial satellite weather observations.
Together, the agreements demonstrate continued demand for commercial weather data. They also reinforce the importance of satellite data in modern forecasting systems. The latest Spire Global NOAA contract adds another milestone to the company’s NOAA relationship. It also expands the use of enhanced GNSS-RO observations for weather applications.
Through these contracts, Spire continues supplying satellite data for operational weather requirements. The company will provide the latest contracted GNSS-RO observations through December 1, 2026.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
