#USA #Golden, Colorado #GNSS #PlanetiQ #GNOMES-10

PlanetiQ Launches GNOMES-10 Satellite

On October 1, 2026, PlanetiQ achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its GNOMES-10 satellite. This launch took place at 11:32 a.m. PDT through SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, originating from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The deployment marks a pivotal step in the company's endeavor to broaden its network of GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO) satellites, which are pivotal for high-precision atmospheric and ionospheric data collection.

GNOMES-10 Features Cutting-Edge Technology

The GNOMES-10 satellite is equipped with PlanetiQ's fourth-generation Pyxis GNSS-RO receiver, which has been meticulously developed and tested in Golden, Colorado. This state-of-the-art receiver is specifically designed to capture high-quality GNSS signals necessary for precise radio occultation measurements. It employs advanced technology such as high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), high-rate signal sampling, and expertly engineered antennas. This innovation allows PlanetiQ to extract detailed atmospheric profiles that are crucial for understanding our planet's dynamic weather patterns.

Chris McCormick, the Founder, President, and Chairman of PlanetiQ, expressed immense pride in the efforts of the team involved in this launch. "Experiencing the launch firsthand is tremendous appreciation for all the excellent hard work by everyone involved, including our employees, suppliers, and customers. We're proud that our data supports weather applications by measuring Earth's atmospheric and ionospheric state, furthering our knowledge of Earth's dynamic weather patterns,” he noted.

Enhancing Capability Through Simultaneous Tracking

One of the unique features of PlanetiQ's satellites is their ability to simultaneously track signals from all four major GNSS constellations: GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, and Galileo. Each satellite utilizes a wide limb-sounding field of view of ±75 degrees. By tracking multiple GNSS sources at once, the GNOMES-10 can observe more transmitters concurrently, leading to an increase in opportunities for radio occultation measurements. This capability allows PlanetiQ to produce a greater number of GNSS-RO observations per hour compared to other existing commercial RO constellations.

The insights gathered from these thorough observations offer substantial benefits to weather models and users who require detailed information regarding atmospheric structures. The comprehensive data collected from the lower troposphere is particularly valuable, especially since this region often experiences rapid changes in atmospheric conditions that traditional satellite observations may find hard to capture.

Future Plans: Launch of GNOMES-11

Looking ahead, PlanetiQ has plans to launch GNOMES-11 later this month. It will also be outfitted with the advanced fourth-generation Pyxis receiver, similar to GNOMES-10. These upcoming launches are part of PlanetiQ's continuous efforts to enhance the availability, quality, and diversity of commercial GNSS-RO observations, which are crucial for various applications including weather forecasting and space weather monitoring.

About PlanetiQ

Established in 2015 and privately owned, PlanetiQ emerges as a leader in providing high-quality GNSS radio occultation data from its commercial satellite constellation. These data sets play a critical role in enhancing weather and climate forecast models, leading to better Numerical Weather Prediction and AI forecasts. Ultimately, this advanced technology aims to safeguard lives and properties by efficiently addressing severe weather challenges.

With its mission to serve government, defense, and industrial leaders globally, PlanetiQ is positioned to ensure enhanced operations across multiple sectors while setting new standards for precision and reliability in atmospheric monitoring. For additional information, visit PlanetiQ's website.