SpaceWatch.Global An independent perspective on space
Ibadan, 6 October 2023 – NASA has selected seven companies to provide commercial data in support of the Agency’s Earth science research. The Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition Program will acquire Earth observation data and related services from commercial sources for NASA. This fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contract will be effective for a period of five years with an option to extend services for an additional six months. The maximum potential value is a cumulative $476 million among all the contractors NASA chose for the contract
NASA selected the following Companies as part of this full and open competition; Airbus DS Geo, Capella Space, GHGSat, Space Sciences and Engineering (dba PlanetiQ), Spire Global, and Umbra Lab. From these Companies, NASA will get GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO) soundings, which it can assimilate into weather models to improve global weather forecasting accuracy, and GNSS Reflectometry data (GNSS-R), among other things.
The contract is a flexible method for the Agency to acquire data from commercial sources supporting its Earth science research and application activities. Furthermore, the Agency will place emphasis on data from commercial satellite constellations, affording the means of complementing its EO data with higher resolutions, increased temporal frequency or other novel capabilities. In addition, the contracts will provide the Agency with a cost-effective means to complement the suite of Earth observations it acquires.
NASA will require end-user license agreements to enable broad levels of dissemination and shareability of the commercial data. Furthermore, there is a specific list of government-defined license tiers associated with all contracts and task orders awarded for scientific non-commercial use.
