Spire Global (NYSE:SPIR) has secured a $3.7 million contract from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to supply satellite weather data. Spire will provide global navigation satellite system radio occultation data from September 18 through December 1, 2026. This agreement highlights the expanding role of commercial satellite constellations in supporting critical government meteorological infrastructure and global observation requirements.
NOAA Procurement of Enhanced Radio Occultation Data
The contract focuses on delivering radio occultation data, specifically including profiles with Temporal Resolution Enhancements. This represents a significant shift in procurement strategy, as NOAA stated this is the first time the agency has purchased these specific enhanced profiles as a distinct deliverable under a commercial contract. These profiles provide essential vertical measurements of temperature, pressure, and humidity on a global scale. By utilizing Temporal Resolution Enhancements, the data captures atmospheric observations across a wider range of times daily, effectively covering periods that have historically lacked sufficient global radio occultation coverage for accurate modeling.
Spire Global’s Expanding NOAA Data Partnerships
This $3.7 million deal follows a pattern of significant federal engagement for Spire. In 2025, the company received $11.2 million from NOAA under the Commercial Weather Data Program Radio Occultation Data Buy II contract. Additionally, Spire recently secured a $3 million, six-month contract extension to provide Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder data. As NOAA prepares for its next phase of commercial radio occultation data acquisition starting December 1, 2026, Spire’s ability to deliver specialized, high-resolution atmospheric data positions it as a primary provider within the agency's evolving commercial data ecosystem and broader Earth observation strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Spire Global secured a $3.7 million NOAA contract for radio occultation data running through December 1, 2026.
- This marks NOAA's first commercial procurement of radio occultation profiles with Temporal Resolution Enhancements.
- The data provides critical global vertical profiles for temperature, pressure, and humidity measurements.
TechInsyte's Take
In our view, this contract signals a strategic pivot by NOAA toward more granular, commercially sourced meteorological datasets. By specifically requesting Temporal Resolution Enhancements, the agency is prioritizing temporal density to fill historical data gaps. For B2B leaders in the space and data sectors, this demonstrates that government agencies are moving beyond simple data acquisition toward demanding highly specialized, enhanced technical deliverables that require sophisticated satellite constellation management and advanced signal processing capabilities.
Questions & Answers
How does the new NOAA contract differ from previous data procurements?
Unlike previous agreements, this contract specifically includes radio occultation profiles with Temporal Resolution Enhancements as a distinct, standalone deliverable, allowing for broader atmospheric observation times.
What specific atmospheric metrics are provided through this Spire Global contract?
The satellite data provides essential global vertical profiles measuring temperature, pressure, and humidity, which are critical for accurate weather modeling and atmospheric analysis.
What is the broader context of Spire Global's relationship with NOAA?
Spire maintains a multi-stream revenue relationship with NOAA, including a $11.2 million contract in 2025 and a recent $3 million extension for Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder data.
When will NOAA transition to its next phase of data acquisition?
NOAA has announced that its next phase for commercial radio occultation data acquisition is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2026.
Source: Businesswire
