NOAA Extends $3M Contract with Spire to Evaluate Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder Data

On August 4, NOAA announced a six‑month, $3 million extension to its contract with Spire Global to evaluate data from the company's Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HyMS). The HyMS demonstrator, operating since January, collects more than 2,000 microwave channels, offering unprecedented vertical resolution of atmospheric profiles. By testing this data across diverse weather regimes, NOAA hopes to determine whether hyperspectral microwave observations can sharpen numerical weather prediction. If successful, the technology could fill gaps left by legacy broadband microwave sensors, especially in data‑sparse regions.

What happened

NOAA issued a six‑month contract extension worth $3 million to continue evaluating Spire's HyMS instrument. The agency will assess sensor performance across a broader range of atmospheric conditions and seasonal patterns, measuring the impact on forecast accuracy and atmospheric profiling.

HyMS captures atmospheric observations across more than 2,000 sensing channels, delivering high‑spectral resolution in the microwave bands. This design provides finer vertical resolution than traditional broadband microwave sensors, improving observations in all‑weather conditions and offering resilience to radio‑frequency interference.

Spire reports that the HyMS demonstrator has already shown it can collect high‑quality hyperspectral microwave data from orbit. The extended evaluation will compare these observations with existing weather‑satellite datasets to determine how they can complement current numerical weather prediction systems.

Why it matters

Improving vertical resolution of atmospheric measurements directly influences the accuracy of numerical weather prediction models, which rely on precise temperature and moisture profiles. Enhanced forecasts can benefit disaster preparedness, aviation safety, and agriculture, especially in regions lacking dense ground‑based observation networks. Successful integration of commercial hyperspectral microwave data could also reduce reliance on aging government satellite assets, fostering a more resilient and cost‑effective observation ecosystem.

How to think about it

For forecasters, treat HyMS data as a supplemental layer rather than a replacement for established observations. Start by incorporating the data into research‑grade model runs to quantify incremental skill gains. Policy makers should weigh the potential forecast improvements against the long‑term cost structure of purchasing commercial data, and consider partnership models that share development risks.

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