Spire Global awarded million-dollar contract by NOAA

Spire will provide NOAA with Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) observation data in near real-time, primarily focusing on ocean surface wind speeds. This data will enable NOAA to evaluate the quality and applicability of commercial GNSS-R observations across various domains, such as refining weather forecasting models and advancing climate research. The initiative directly addresses the agency’s critical need for precise global sea-surface wind measurements essential for applications like marine weather forecasts, hurricane tracking, ocean current analysis and climate studies.

The 12-month contract, commencing October 25, 2023, will consist of three phases: Preparation, Data Delivery and Evaluation. In addition to ocean surface wind analysis, the project will investigate various GNSS-R applications, including land surface flooding, freeze/thaw events, sea ice detection, and soil moisture monitoring.

“In today’s world, the demand for precise weather information is more critical than ever,” said . “We are proud to partner with NOAA to utilize our satellite technology and capabilities, enabling NOAA to improve weather forecasts, advance climate research, and provide cost-effective and regular monitoring of surface winds that complements existing observation systems.” — Chuck Cash, Vice President of Federal Sales, Spire. SatNews