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PlanetiQ Collaborates with NOAA for Enhanced Environmental Monitoring

PlanetiQ, a prominent supplier of satellite-based environmental data, has received a significant accolade by being chosen as an industry partner within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) innovative Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) framework. This partnership is set to advance NOAA's ability to gather crucial environmental data essential for improved weather forecasting and climate modeling.

Contract Overview

The SBEM is structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, which will allow PlanetiQ to compete for various task orders. The initial term of the contract is scheduled from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2036, with a five-year base period followed by a possible five-year extension. Under this strategic collaboration, PlanetiQ aims to deliver two types of pivotal commercial environmental data: Global Navigation Satellite System-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) observations and thermospheric neutral density data.

Enhancing Environmental Data Offerings

The GNSS-RO observations will enrich NOAA's data repository by providing high-resolution atmospheric profiles necessary for accurate numerical weather predictions and ionospheric scrutiny. Furthermore, the introduction of thermospheric neutral density data serves to refine satellite orbit predictions, offering essential insights that are increasingly critical in today's climate-focused research landscape.

Ira Scharf, the CEO of PlanetiQ, stated, "This selection builds on our long-standing partnership with NOAA and expands the ways our data can support the agency, from high-resolution atmospheric and ionospheric observations to thermospheric neutral density for satellite orbit prediction." This commitment emphasizes PlanetiQ's aim to enhance NOAA's operations, demonstrating the company's leadership in providing precise and actionable environmental data.

Satellite Constellation and Future Plans

Under the terms of the SBEM contract, PlanetiQ will leverage its existing satellite constellation while also planning additional satellite launches later this year. This expansion is expected to significantly bolster their capabilities in delivering vital data regarding the atmosphere's condition and the ionosphere's characteristics, particularly focusing on Total Electron Content (TEC) and scintillation.

NOAA's Commitment to Commercial Data Utilization

NOAA is progressively enhancing its procurement of commercial environmental satellite data streams to bolster its weather forecasting abilities, with the SBEM IDIQ contract marking a key milestone in this venture. The introduction of new commercial data types aims to significantly escalate the effectiveness of U.S. weather forecasting initiatives. PlanetiQ has previously supplied GNSS-RO data under older contracts with NOAA and is now transitioning seamlessly to meet the updated requirements of the new SBEM contract.

About PlanetiQ

Founded in 2015, PlanetiQ specializes in delivering high-quality GNSS radio occultation (RO) data via a commercial constellation of satellites. The precision of its data is unparalleled and plays a crucial role in enhancing weather and climate prediction models. Notably, in 2025, PlanetiQ secured NOAA's largest-ever contract for satellite weather data, amounting to $24.3 million. Operating in a rapidly evolving space-tech environment, PlanetiQ caters to governmental and industry leaders, including international weather agencies, fostering resilience across various sectors by facilitating improved atmospheric monitoring.

In conclusion, PlanetiQ's selection as a pivotal partner for NOAA not only reflects the trust and reliance placed on them by key governmental agencies but also signifies a crucial advancement in the application of commercial data for comprehensive environmental monitoring and forecasting. As they gear up for new satellite launches and expand their data offerings, the partnership is expected to yield significant benefits in disparate sectors, including weather forecasting, climate prediction, and space weather applications.