Spire using ever more satellite data to enhance global weather forecasts
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jul 14, 2023
The upcoming Electron mission of Rocket Lab, dubbed 'Baby Come Back', will be carrying two 3U satellites from Spire Global to space. These satellites are armed with the latest Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) payloads. They will contribute significantly to Spire's fully deployed satellite constellation, consisting of over 100 multipurpose units, and play an instrumental role in gathering information that enhances global weather intelligence and fine-tunes the precision of weather forecasts. The launch window for the mission is slated to open on July 16th, 2023 at 23:30 UTC.
In the face of extreme and erratic weather patterns that are becoming more prevalent, the demand for accurate and precise weather forecasting is becoming more urgent. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that emissions of greenhouse gases caused by humans have resulted in an uptick in the frequency and intensity of weather and climate extremes since the pre-industrial era.
If these phenomena are not mitigated, they could become commonplace. Adapting to such rapid changes in our climate necessitates cutting-edge advancements in weather forecasts, including accurate weather readings through RO and trustworthy forecast models further powered by AI. This could provide individuals, communities, and businesses with the resources they need to anticipate and adequately prepare for a wide array of weather conditions.
Weather forecasting is a multidimensional process that includes global monitoring through ground sensors, satellites, and aircraft. However, obtaining weather data for every point on the globe, particularly remote regions and oceans, is not always feasible. To produce the most accurate and precise weather forecasts, Spire's low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation employs radio occultation (RO). This technique measures and generates a detailed profile of conditions from the Earth's surface into the upper atmosphere.
Mike Eilts, general manager of weather and earth intelligence at Spire, explained, "Spire's radio occultation data, coupled with our expertise in running models and AI/ML, is vital to providing precise and accurate weather forecasting across multiple industries. The launch of two more 3U satellites armed with our radio occultation technology is a testament to our commitment to harnessing the power of space-based data collection. This allows us to equip individuals, communities, and businesses to proactively prepare for diverse weather conditions and adapt to a rapidly evolving climate."
The benefits of RO measurements are manifold, including global coverage, superior vertical resolution, accuracy, and precision. Precise weather forecasting during extreme events can bring about significant advantages for individuals, businesses, and the environment.
For instance, communities can benefit from improved predictability and awareness, allowing them to take measures to protect lives and property. Industries like maritime and aviation can optimize their routes to save energy and minimize fuel consumption. Agricultural practitioners can make knowledgeable decisions about planting, irrigation, and crop protection, leading to efficient resource distribution, waste reduction, and increased productivity.
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