Spire wins $28 Million NOAA contract to advance hyperspectral microwave sounding technology

August 27, 2026 - 04:31

Spire Global has secured a $28 million contract with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to keep developing its hyperspectral microwave sounding technology. The deal, announced this week, is aimed at improving how weather data is collected from space, specifically by giving forecasters a sharper look at temperature and moisture profiles in the atmosphere.

The work will focus on refining sensors that can pick up a much wider range of microwave frequencies than traditional instruments. That wider spectrum means better readings even through clouds, which is a known weak spot for optical and infrared systems. Spire says the tech could help with everything from hurricane tracking to short-term storm prediction.

Under the contract, Spire will mature the design, build test units, and run ground validation. The goal is to get the hardware ready for a future space mission, though no launch date has been locked in yet. NOAA has been pushing for more advanced sounding capabilities as part of its broader effort to modernize weather observation, and this award is one piece of that puzzle.

Spire already operates a large constellation of small satellites for radio occultation data, which measures how GPS signals bend through the atmosphere. This new project is a different approach, but it fits the same niche: filling in gaps that large government satellites miss. The company has been vocal about wanting to be a bigger player in operational weather, and this contract gives it a solid foothold.

Financial terms beyond the headline figure were not disclosed, but the work is expected to run over the next couple of years. Spire will coordinate with NOAA's Center for Satellite Applications and Research on the technical milestones.