Session
Next on the Pad
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) Commercial Data Program (CDP) successfully engages with the private sector to acquire commercial space-based environmental observation data to diversify, streamline, and improve NOAA's observations and to meet NOAA’s mission objectives. The NESDIS CDP manages two lines of effort, the Commercial Data Pilot projects to demonstrate the quality and impact of commercial data on NOAA applications and the Commercial Data Purchases to support operational weather and space weather applications. NESDIS CDP leverages commercial companies’ use of innovative Small Satellite (SmallSat) collection platforms. NESDIS CDP procures data using a data-as-a-service model, processes it, validates it, and integrates the data into operational applications. NESDIS shares the operational data widely, and the data is successfully utilized by other U.S. and International weather organizations.
The CDP began in 2016 with the first Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) Pilot study. The second Pilot in 2018 resulted in operationalizing commercial RO data for weather forecasting. Since 2020, NOAA has continually procured RO data for assimilation into operational weather forecast prediction systems and, more recently, into operational space weather applications. In addition to RO, NESDIS CDP has successfully executed Pilots for space weather data to measure total electron content and scintillation, GNSS Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data to measure ocean surface winds and surface properties, and microwave sounder data to profile atmospheric vertical moisture and temperature. In 2026, NESDIS will pilot multispectral imagery data for wildfire applications.
This paper provides a general overview of the NESDIS CDP, detailing how it leverages commercial SmallSat technologies for successful pilot projects and operational data purchases. It includes descriptions of the technologies currently utilized and outlines future plans for expanding commercial space-based environmental monitoring data acquisition.
Document Type
Event
NOAA NESDIS Commercial Data Program Using Small Satellites for Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Data
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) Commercial Data Program (CDP) successfully engages with the private sector to acquire commercial space-based environmental observation data to diversify, streamline, and improve NOAA's observations and to meet NOAA’s mission objectives. The NESDIS CDP manages two lines of effort, the Commercial Data Pilot projects to demonstrate the quality and impact of commercial data on NOAA applications and the Commercial Data Purchases to support operational weather and space weather applications. NESDIS CDP leverages commercial companies’ use of innovative Small Satellite (SmallSat) collection platforms. NESDIS CDP procures data using a data-as-a-service model, processes it, validates it, and integrates the data into operational applications. NESDIS shares the operational data widely, and the data is successfully utilized by other U.S. and International weather organizations.
The CDP began in 2016 with the first Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) Pilot study. The second Pilot in 2018 resulted in operationalizing commercial RO data for weather forecasting. Since 2020, NOAA has continually procured RO data for assimilation into operational weather forecast prediction systems and, more recently, into operational space weather applications. In addition to RO, NESDIS CDP has successfully executed Pilots for space weather data to measure total electron content and scintillation, GNSS Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data to measure ocean surface winds and surface properties, and microwave sounder data to profile atmospheric vertical moisture and temperature. In 2026, NESDIS will pilot multispectral imagery data for wildfire applications.
This paper provides a general overview of the NESDIS CDP, detailing how it leverages commercial SmallSat technologies for successful pilot projects and operational data purchases. It includes descriptions of the technologies currently utilized and outlines future plans for expanding commercial space-based environmental monitoring data acquisition.
