Commercial Weather
NOAA seeks to “kick the tires” on new instruments, mission concepts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to conduct technology demonstrations and pathfinder projects as it prepares to update its Earth observation constellations.
Fresh $18.7 million funding round puts PlanetiQ weather constellation back on track
After years of delays, PlanetiQ says its constellation of commercial weather satellites will be ready to start launching in January thanks to $18.7 million in new capital.
A clearer outlook for NOAA weather satellite programs
To plan future constellations, the agency is conducting the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA) study. What has it revealed so far? And how will commercial satellites and data products feed into future architectures?
NOAA seeks proposals for second round of commercial weather data pilot
NOAA is soliciting proposals for a second round of a commercial satellite weather data pilot program even as it wraps up the evaluation of the first round.
AMS meeting investigates roles for commercial and small satellites in weather forecasting
AUSTIN, Texas — Atmospheric and space scientists gathering at the 98th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society this week will be sharing information on a wide range of topics, including future government and commercial weather sate…
NOAA reschedules next round of commercial weather data program to 2018
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will wait until next spring to begin a second round of a commercial satellite weather data pilot program as it wraps up the analysis of the program’s initial round.
President signs commercial satellite weather bill
President Trump signed into law this week a weather bill that includes provisions formally authorizing ongoing commercial satellite weather data projects and a study of future weather satellite needs.
Smallsats provide opportunities and challenges for weather data
As companies developing commercial constellations of satellites to provide weather data argue the industry is on the cusp of an information revolution, others cautioned there are still key issues to be addressed regarding the use and access to such data.
Two companies win first NOAA commercial weather contracts
NOAA awarded contracts Sept. 15 to two companies to provide weather data as part of a pilot program that could lead to greater uses of data from commercial satellites.
GAO remains concerned about potential polar satellite weather data gap
While the first of a new generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites remains on schedule to launch next year, the U.S. Government Accountability Office is concerned that it may slip, increasing the risk of a data gap.
Chris McCormick on PlanetiQ’s launch plans, NOAA’s commercial weather pilot
PlanetiQ's CEO and founder Chris McCormick talks with SpaceNews about his company's launch plans and the opportunity he sees in NOAA's commercial weather data pilot.
DoD commercial weather pilot program included in draft defense bill
A draft version of a House policy bill would authorize $3 million for the Air Force to determine if commercial weather data could help meet a wide-range of Defense Department weather requirements.
NOAA issues timeline for commercial weather data pilot
With $3 million on hand from Congress and another $5 million sought for 2017, NOAA is setting out to buy test data from one or more of the commercial weather satellite systems heading to market.
NOAA administrator skeptical about commercial weather data
Despite the enthusiasm for commercial satellite weather systems expressed by a key member of Congress, the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said March 16 she has yet to see proof that such systems can provide data that will be useful for weather forecasting.
Op-Ed | U.S. Air Force takes positive step with Space Based Environmental Monitoring RFI
The Air Force, which has struggled with environmental monitoring from satellite systems for several years, is to be commended for beginning to look at space-based environmental monitoring as a commercial service.
U.S. Air Force taking closer look at buying commercial weather data
As the U.S. Air Force develops a long-term weather satellite strategy, the service also is considering using commercial weather data to meet gaps in its forecasting capabilities.
PlanetiQ Selects India’s PSLV To Launch its First Satellites
PlanetiQ, one of several companies developing constellations of small satellites to collect weather data, announced Dec. 3 that it will launch its first two satellites in late 2016 on a Indian rocket.
NOAA To Trickle Out Commercial Weather Standards
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will not publish quality standards for commercial weather data until at least the end of the year, a senior NOAA official said here Nov. 4.
Op-ed | Time for Action on Commercial Weather Data
U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine says the landscape for weather satellites has changed, and NOAA needs to be open to new ideas for handling environmental data.
Op-ed | Open Access to Weather Data in a Changing Landscape
New and innovative observing capabilities are emerging today that challenge the traditional model of government ownership of observing systems and the associated data rights.
