Spire Global to Launch Six Satellites on SpaceX Transporter-6 Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) announced the launch of six satellites via SpaceX's Transporter-6 mission, scheduled for January 2023. These satellites will enhance Spire's weather and aviation solutions, featuring advanced ADS-B technology for global aircraft tracking. One satellite will test a polarimetric radio occultation (PRO) payload aimed at improving precipitation data for weather forecasting. This launch supports Spire's ongoing innovations in satellite technology and aims to bolster its operational capabilities in data collection and analytics.

Positive

• Launch of six satellites will enhance Spire's weather and aviation solutions.
• Introduction of first satellites with propulsion systems improves operational flexibility.
• Testing of polarimetric radio occultation (PRO) payload expected to enhance weather forecasting accuracy.
• Collaboration with ESA and Luxembourg Space Agency supports innovative satellite applications.

Negative

• None.

The Company will advance the capabilities of its multipurpose satellite constellation with in-orbit demonstrations of new technology developments

VIENNA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, will launch six satellites on the SpaceX Transporter-6 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station no earlier than January 2023. The satellites will demonstrate advancements and new capabilities for Spire’s weather and aviation solutions.

Spire will launch two demonstration satellites carrying next-generation Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) payloads, which collect aircraft position data. The satellites will expand Spire’s existing ADS-B constellation and play an integral role in improving coverage and latency for the Company’s aviation products. They will demonstrate sophisticated technology for global aircraft tracking, including an advanced antenna design based on years of in-orbit ADS-B payload experience and state-of-the-art inter-satellite links. The satellites will be Spire’s first to have propulsion systems on board. The multipurpose satellites will also carry payloads to monitor Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals for vessel tracking data and for Space Services customer Myriota, a provider of global Internet of Things (IoT) service from satellites.

One of the satellites on the launch will fly a polarimetric radio occultation (PRO) payload that collects data on precipitation profiles and patterns. The mission will validate PRO sensitivity to precipitation using several global navigation satellite systems as signals of opportunity. This will be the first step towards the assimilation of PRO data into weather models, which will enhance the value and accuracy of global weather forecasts along with the weather variables currently gathered by Spire’s constellation. The PRO payload, which will be the first launched by a private company, was designed as part of the ESA InCubed Programme, a co-funding program focused on developing innovative and commercially viable products and services that generate or exploit the value of Earth observation imagery and dataset. This activity is supported by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA). Spire is the largest producer of radio occultation data, which is leveraged by government agencies like NOAA, NASA, ECMWF, and EUMETSAT to drive global weather predictions.

“We at ESA are very happy with the efficiency, focus, and speed of implementation of this activity, and if we can see it resulting in measurement data and processing results for systematic evaluation of their assimilation into numerical weather prediction, that will be a rewarding completion,” said Thomas Burger, ESA Technical Officer for Spire.

“Satellites and payloads are continuing to get smaller and more powerful,” said Jeroen Cappaert, Spire CTO and Co-founder. “We’re capitalizing on this rapid pace of innovation and miniaturization to continue to enhance our constellation with cutting-edge technology that drives new applications of satellite data. The applications we’re demonstrating for aviation tracking and precipitation data will play a crucial role in solving some of the greatest challenges we face on Earth, such as overcoming climate change with more accurate weather forecasting and bringing transparency to the supply chain.”

The Company is also launching three satellites to replenish its fully deployed constellation of more than 100 multipurpose satellites. Spire designs and builds its satellites entirely in house at its manufacturing facility in Glasgow. The Company has built and launched more than 150 satellites, carrying over 500 years of spaceflight heritage across its fleet.

The satellites are manifested on the mission through a multi-launch agreement between Spire and Exolaunch, which includes access to the Transporter missions through Exolaunch’s long-term launch arrangements with SpaceX. Exolaunch, a global provider of launch, in-space logistics and deployment services, will also provide Spire with deployment and integration services.

About Spire Global, Inc.

Spire (NYSE: SPIR) is a leading global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, offering access to unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth from the ultimate vantage point so that organizations can make decisions with confidence, accuracy, and speed. Spire uses one of the world’s largest multipurpose satellite constellations to source hard to acquire, valuable data and enriches it with predictive solutions. Spire then provides this data as a subscription to organizations around the world so they can improve business operations, decrease their environmental footprint, deploy resources for growth and competitive advantage, and mitigate risk. Spire gives commercial and government organizations the competitive advantage they seek to innovate and solve some of the world’s toughest problems with insights from space. Spire has offices in San Francisco, Boulder, Washington DC, Ontario, Glasgow, Oxfordshire, Luxembourg, and Singapore. To learn more, visit www.spire.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221214005066/en/

Kristina Spychalski

Senior Manager, Communications

Kristina.Spychalski@spire.com

Source: Spire Global, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Spire's upcoming satellite launch?

Spire's satellite launch aims to enhance weather and aviation solutions by demonstrating advanced ADS-B technology and testing a polarimetric radio occultation (PRO) payload.

When will Spire Global launch its satellites?

Spire Global plans to launch its satellites no earlier than January 2023.

What technologies will be demonstrated with the new satellites from Spire?

The new satellites will demonstrate advanced aircraft tracking technology using ADS-B payloads and test the polarimetric radio occultation (PRO) for improved weather data.

How does Spire Global's satellite technology contribute to weather forecasting?

Spire's satellites will collect data on precipitation patterns, enhancing the accuracy of global weather forecasts when integrated into existing weather models.

What is Spire's stock symbol?

Spire Global's stock symbol is SPIR, listed on the NYSE.