PlanetiQ Completes Major Milestone for Next-Generation of GNOMES Satellites
PlanetiQ has announced that its next-generation GNOMES satellites have completed a major milestone and are progressing through final preparations ahead of their anticipated launch later this year. The manufacturing and testing phases for the satellites have been successfully completed, marking significant progress towards the deployment of the company's advanced GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO) sensing capabilities. The spacecraft are expected to be shipped for launch integration in the coming weeks.
Chris McCormick, Chairman, President, and Founder of PlanetiQ, commented on the milestone, stating, "This milestone represents an important step toward delivering more atmospheric observations to our customers around the world." Once deployed and commissioned, the satellites will expand PlanetiQ's atmospheric sensing constellation, increasing the availability of GNSS-RO observations for customers globally.
The additional satellites will substantially increase the number of daily atmospheric profiles available, which will be beneficial for weather agencies, researchers, and commercial organizations. This enhancement is aimed at supporting weather forecasting, space weather monitoring, and environmental intelligence applications.
PlanetiQ's GNSS-RO observations are recognized for their accuracy and global coverage, improving numerical weather prediction models. By increasing the volume and availability of these measurements, PlanetiQ aims to provide customers with additional data to enhance forecasting performance and environmental awareness. The new satellites will enable PlanetiQ to track more GNSS signals simultaneously, improving data collection and expanding atmospheric observation capabilities.
PlanetiQ's GNSS-RO observations are noted for their high precision due to a superior signal-to-noise ratio and a proprietary receiver design. This allows for detailed atmospheric profiling essential for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The data is utilized by leading numerical weather prediction centers around the world, including NOAA and ECMWF, and is available through NASA's CSDA program for qualified researchers.
PlanetiQ provides high-quality GNSS-RO data from its commercial satellite constellation, contributing to improved weather and climate forecasts. The company was awarded NOAA's largest-ever contract for satellite weather data in 2025, valued at $24.3 million. Founded in 2015, PlanetiQ designs, builds, and operates a commercial constellation of GNSS-RO satellites, ensuring precision and reliability in atmospheric monitoring.