Vienna-based Spire Global Inc, a provider of space-based data, analytics and space services recently announced that it has been awarded the Commercial Weather Data Pilot (CWDP) which is a space weather contract as a part of the Commercial Data Program (CDP) issued by National Oceanographic and Oceanic Administration (NOAA). The company is contracted to provide almost near real-time radio occultation (RO) data for National Oceanographic and Oceanic Administration’s (NOAA) space weather forecast models, which will be used to measure ionospheric conditions which could impact activities such as communications, navigation, aviation and satellite operations.
“NOAA’s focus on space weather data has allowed commercial providers opportunities to showcase the growing quality and impact their data can have on ionospheric weather models and applications,” said Chuck Cash, Vice President of Federal Sales, Spire. “Spire is honoured to continue working with NOAA to provide radio occultation measurements that will help NOAA meet its objectives and ultimately safeguard society.”
The awarded contract valued at $1.7 million represents Spire’s ability to continuously provide high-quality commercial data for National Oceanographic and Oceanic Administration’s (NOAA) weather forecast models. National Oceanographic and Oceanic Administration’s (NOAA) Commercial Weather Data Pilot (CWDP) studies by using the company’s acquired data are expected to go on for around 12 months. The company has regularly provided weather data to National Oceanographic and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) since the year 2016, hence demonstrating the critical importance of commercial satellite weather data in various space weather forecasting models. Earlier this year National Oceanographic and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) and Spire signed an $8 million contract in an effort to increase the number of radio occultation (RO) profiles it provides, usually at 3,000 to 5,000 to use for operational weather forecasting.
With a fully-deployed constellation of more than 100 satellites, Spire is one of the largest producers of RO data and delivers a portfolio of current weather, historical weather data, and weather forecast solutions.
