PlanetiQ Secures Historic $24.3M NOAA Contract for Satellite Weather Data
In a landmark achievement for both PlanetiQ and the world of meteorology, PlanetiQ has secured a ground-breaking contract worth $24.3 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This award is not just significant in monetary terms; it is the largest commercial satellite weather data award ever granted, highlighting the increasing reliance on advanced data in weather forecasting.
The award comes under NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) through its Commercial Data Program’s Radio Occultation Data Buy 2 (RODB-2). This innovative program focuses on radio occultation technology, which is crucial for obtaining high-quality atmospheric data that enhances weather prediction models. PlanetiQ will be delivering approximately 7,000 Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) profiles daily—an impressive feat, including 500 enhanced profiles with improved signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) that stand seven times higher in quality than those provided by previous commercial providers.
This robust data set will not only assist NOAA in predicting weather patterns but will also play a vital role in space weather monitoring. The daily provision of 2,500 low-latency Total Electron Content (TEC) tracks is also part of this agreement, amplifying NOAA's capacity to forecast and mitigate impacts from space weather events.
Ira Scharf, the CEO of PlanetiQ, expressed pride in the company’s partnership with NOAA, emphasizing the vital mission of protecting life and property through enhanced forecasting capabilities. He stated, "This award demonstrates NOAA's confidence in our ability to deliver both the quantity and quality of data needed to advance weather and space weather forecasting."
The GNSS-RO data that PlanetiQ provides offers precise vertical profiles of the atmosphere worldwide—across various terrains, whether over land or water, and regardless of cloud cover. This technology is recognized as the most significant input for weather forecast models, particularly where accuracy is hardest to achieve, such as in the lower troposphere.
Notably, the new contract represents a more than threefold increase in PlanetiQ's data deliveries compared to its previous agreement with NOAA, which specified 2,200 profiles per day with none of the enhanced SNR and TEC tracks that are now included. This expansion reflects a shifting landscape where high-quality data is essential for organizations engaged in numerical weather prediction and modern AI forecasting models.
Chris McCormick, PlanetiQ's president and chairman, added, "Our ability to provide enhanced high-SNR profiles, at seven times the SNR of any other commercial company, sets us apart. It’s gratifying to see this capability recognized and scaled."
The impact of this contract extends beyond NOAA; data generated through this initiative will also serve NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and other international weather agencies for both operational and research purposes. This underlines the importance of public-private partnerships in expediting the technological advancements necessary for effective weather forecasting and research, all while reducing costs.
As a company founded in 2015, PlanetiQ specializes in providing a commercial constellation of satellites that generate high-quality GNSS-RO data. This capability not only bolsters weather forecasting efficiencies but also aids in climate prediction and disaster preparedness, ultimately protecting lives and property from severe weather events. Interested parties can learn more about PlanetiQ's offerings or inquire about potential partnerships by visiting www.planetiq.com.
The award comes under NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) through its Commercial Data Program’s Radio Occultation Data Buy 2 (RODB-2). This innovative program focuses on radio occultation technology, which is crucial for obtaining high-quality atmospheric data that enhances weather prediction models. PlanetiQ will be delivering approximately 7,000 Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) profiles daily—an impressive feat, including 500 enhanced profiles with improved signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) that stand seven times higher in quality than those provided by previous commercial providers.
This robust data set will not only assist NOAA in predicting weather patterns but will also play a vital role in space weather monitoring. The daily provision of 2,500 low-latency Total Electron Content (TEC) tracks is also part of this agreement, amplifying NOAA's capacity to forecast and mitigate impacts from space weather events.
Ira Scharf, the CEO of PlanetiQ, expressed pride in the company’s partnership with NOAA, emphasizing the vital mission of protecting life and property through enhanced forecasting capabilities. He stated, "This award demonstrates NOAA's confidence in our ability to deliver both the quantity and quality of data needed to advance weather and space weather forecasting."
The GNSS-RO data that PlanetiQ provides offers precise vertical profiles of the atmosphere worldwide—across various terrains, whether over land or water, and regardless of cloud cover. This technology is recognized as the most significant input for weather forecast models, particularly where accuracy is hardest to achieve, such as in the lower troposphere.
Notably, the new contract represents a more than threefold increase in PlanetiQ's data deliveries compared to its previous agreement with NOAA, which specified 2,200 profiles per day with none of the enhanced SNR and TEC tracks that are now included. This expansion reflects a shifting landscape where high-quality data is essential for organizations engaged in numerical weather prediction and modern AI forecasting models.
Chris McCormick, PlanetiQ's president and chairman, added, "Our ability to provide enhanced high-SNR profiles, at seven times the SNR of any other commercial company, sets us apart. It’s gratifying to see this capability recognized and scaled."
The impact of this contract extends beyond NOAA; data generated through this initiative will also serve NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and other international weather agencies for both operational and research purposes. This underlines the importance of public-private partnerships in expediting the technological advancements necessary for effective weather forecasting and research, all while reducing costs.
As a company founded in 2015, PlanetiQ specializes in providing a commercial constellation of satellites that generate high-quality GNSS-RO data. This capability not only bolsters weather forecasting efficiencies but also aids in climate prediction and disaster preparedness, ultimately protecting lives and property from severe weather events. Interested parties can learn more about PlanetiQ's offerings or inquire about potential partnerships by visiting www.planetiq.com.
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