Canadian Space Agency Assigns Can$72 Million Contract to Spire Global Canada to Design WildFireSat Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

Spire Global Canada has been awarded a Can$72 million contract by the Government of Canada to design and develop a satellite constellation for monitoring active wildfires across Canada as part of the WildFireSat mission. The company will partner with OroraTech to develop the payloads for the constellation.

Canada currently spends approximately Can$1 billion annually on wildfire fighting, with significant indirect costs from property damage, evacuations, and economic losses. Indigenous communities, representing 5% of Canada's population, account for 42% of wildfire-related evacuations.

The project includes expanding Spire's Canadian office in Cambridge, Ontario, to add satellite manufacturing capabilities. The WildFireSat constellation is scheduled for launch in 2029 and will operate for a minimum of five years under Canadian Space Agency management, focusing on the late afternoon 'peak burn period' to enhance wildfire response and community protection.

Positive

• Secured major Can$72 million government contract
• Partnership with OroraTech for payload development
• Expansion of manufacturing facilities in Cambridge, Ontario
• Five-year minimum operational contract starting 2029

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial & Space Technology Analyst

The Can$72 million contract marks a pivotal moment for Spire Global, representing approximately 16% of its current market capitalization. This strategic win strengthens Spire's position in the growing space-based environmental monitoring sector and establishes a strong foothold in the Canadian market.

The contract's structure offers multiple value drivers:

• Immediate revenue recognition from constellation development
• Potential recurring revenue through the 5-year operational period post-2029
• Infrastructure expansion in Cambridge, Ontario, creating manufacturing capabilities for future Canadian contracts
• Partnership with OroraTech, leveraging proven technology already in use by Quebec's wildfire authority

The broader market opportunity is compelling, considering Canada's annual Can$1 billion direct wildfire fighting costs and significantly higher indirect economic impact. With climate change intensifying wildfire seasons globally, this contract positions Spire to capture similar opportunities in other markets, particularly in wildfire-prone regions like Australia, the Mediterranean and the western United States.

The domestic manufacturing expansion is particularly strategic, as it aligns with Canada's space sovereignty goals and positions Spire for additional government contracts. The partnership with Indigenous communities through the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation adds a social impact dimension that could strengthen future bid competitiveness.

Environmental Risk Management Specialist

The WildFireSat mission represents a transformative approach to wildfire risk management, addressing a critical surveillance gap during the peak burn period when fires are most destructive. The economic implications are substantial, considering that indirect costs from wildfires often exceed direct firefighting expenses by several multiples.

The mission's focus on Indigenous communities is particularly significant, addressing a stark disparity where these communities face 42% of wildfire-related evacuations despite comprising only 5% of Canada's population. This technology could dramatically improve response times and resource allocation in remote areas, potentially reducing evacuation frequencies and associated socioeconomic disruptions.

From a risk management perspective, the integration of space-based thermal intelligence with existing firefighting infrastructure creates a more robust early warning system. This could lead to:

• Reduced property damage through faster response times
• More efficient resource allocation for firefighting efforts
• Improved public health outcomes through better smoke pathway prediction
• Enhanced protection of critical infrastructure in remote areas

Spire has agreed to develop a satellite constellation to monitor all active wildfires in Canada from space

OroraTech has agreed to develop the payloads for the satellite constellation

CAMBRIDGE, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spire Global Canada, a subsidiary of Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), was assigned a Can$72 million contract, including harmonized sales tax, by the Government of Canada. Spire will design and develop a dedicated satellite constellation to monitor all active wildfires in Canada from space as part of Canada’s WildFireSat mission. The Company has agreed to partner with OroraTech, a leader in space-based thermal intelligence, to develop the payloads for the satellite constellation.

Canada spends roughly Can$1 billion every year fighting wildfires, with indirect costs much higher due to property damage, evacuations, health expenses and economic losses in sectors like forestry, energy and tourism. Furthermore, these wildfires disproportionately affect Indigenous communities in remote areas, making up an estimated 42% of wildfire-related evacuations despite being 5% of Canada’s population. This solution aims to save life, land and property by detecting wildfires.

"Detecting wildfires is one of the most impactful satellite capabilities, offering significant benefits for public safety, environmental health and the economy,” said Theresa Condor, CEO of Spire Global. “We’re proud to work with the Government of Canada, which is paving the way in developing a next-generation wildfire monitoring system to protect its citizens and communities."

Spire has agreed to design and develop the dedicated satellite constellation. OroraTech has agreed to develop the wildfire detection payloads that will be deployed on the satellites, as well as build the data handling and processing system. These payloads have already provided data during Canadian wildfire emergencies, with OroraTech providing detection and management services to Quebec’s wildfire authority, Société de protection des forêts contre le feu (SOPFEU).

To deliver on this contract, Spire intends to expand its existing Canadian office in Cambridge, Ontario to add satellite manufacturing and test equipment, enabling WildFireSat and future missions to be manufactured domestically in Canada.

“Spire and OroraTech are pleased to support the Government of Canada with our proven infrared camera technology and data processing architecture, providing exceptional imagers for wildfire detection, management and response,” said Martin Langer, CEO & CTO of OroraTech. “We are particularly proud that this will help Indigenous communities across Canada to respond effectively to these natural threats, safeguarding their communities and way of life.”

Spire and OroraTech have partnered with the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation’s Wakâ Mne – Science and Culture Initiative to enable the participation of Indigenous businesses in the WildFireSat mission, driving direct economic benefits and employment opportunities.

The WildFireSat mission is a joint initiative by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Natural Resources Canada’s Canadian Forest Service (CFS), Canadian Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). This mission aims to deliver data on wildfire behaviour, smoke and air quality, targeting a significant gap in current satellite coverage. By focusing on the late afternoon "peak burn period" when wildfires are most intense, WildFireSat aims to enhance decision-making for wildfire response, reduce losses and protect communities.

The WildFireSat constellation is planned for launch in 2029 and will be operated by the CSA for a minimum of five years.

About Spire Global, Inc.

Spire (NYSE: SPIR) is a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, offering unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth so that organizations can make decisions with confidence in a rapidly changing world. Spire builds, owns, and operates a fully deployed satellite constellation that observes the Earth in real time using radio frequency technology. The data acquired by Spire’s satellites provides global weather intelligence, ship and plane movements, and spoofing and jamming detection to better predict how their patterns impact economies, global security, business operations and the environment. Spire also offers Space as a Service solutions that empower customers to leverage its established infrastructure to put their business in space. Spire has nine offices across the U.S., Canada, UK, Luxembourg, Germany and Singapore. To learn more, visit spire.com.

Forward Looking Statements – Spire Global

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including information about our plan to expand our existing Canadian office in Cambridge, Ontario, our intent to launch the WildFireSat constellation in 2029, and management's view of Spire’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including our views regarding future execution within our business, and the opportunity we see in our industry, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Spire to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Certain of these risk factors and others are included in documents Spire files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, Spire’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Spire’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this presentation are made only as of the date hereof. Spire cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Spire expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About OroraTech

OroraTech leverages thermal images from space to detect and manage wildfires across the world. Their Wildfire Solution platform is powered by high-resolution thermal data from its proprietary and public satellite system, which is trusted for revolutionizing wildfire detection. Since 2022, OroraTech has established a comprehensive global satellite network, delivering real-time situational awareness and prompt risk alerts. The cutting-edge system detects fires of any scale, day or night, ensuring timely action. Founded in 2018, OroraTech is headquartered in Munich, Germany, with operations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Greece. A dedicated team of over 100 experts is committed to delivering innovative solutions for a sustainable future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250207443592/en/

For media:

Kristina Spychalski

Head of Communications

Comms@Spire.com

For investors:

Benjamin Hackman

Head of Investor Relations

Benjamin.Hackman@spire.com

Source: Spire Global, Inc.

FAQ

What is the value of Spire Global's (SPIR) WildFireSat contract with Canada?

Spire Global Canada has been awarded a Can$72 million contract, including harmonized sales tax, by the Government of Canada for the WildFireSat mission.

When will SPIR's WildFireSat constellation be launched?

The WildFireSat constellation is planned for launch in 2029.

How long will SPIR operate the WildFireSat mission?

The WildFireSat constellation will be operated by the Canadian Space Agency for a minimum of five years after launch.

Who is SPIR partnering with for the WildFireSat payload development?

Spire Global is partnering with OroraTech to develop the payloads for the satellite constellation.

How is SPIR expanding its Canadian operations for the WildFireSat project?

Spire is expanding its existing Canadian office in Cambridge, Ontario to add satellite manufacturing and test equipment for domestic production.