How PlanetiQ is Transforming Weather Forecasting
Understanding Radio Occultation
GNSS radio occultation (RO) is a satellite-based technique that turns navigation signals into atmospheric measurements. Signals from GNSS systems such as GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou bend as they pass through Earth’s atmosphere. This bending occurs because air density changes with altitude.
By measuring the bending from orbit, scientists derive atmospheric refractivity. From that, they calculate temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind profiles worldwide.
These data feed into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. The result is improved weather forecasting and better understanding of climate and space weather. Because GNSS-RO relies on physics instead of calibration, the data are highly accurate, globally consistent, and nearly bias-free.
From Concept to Capability: The Evolution of GNSS-RO
Scientists first proposed using satellite signals to study the atmosphere in the mid-1990s. The GPS-MET mission launched in 1995 and proved the concept worked. Researchers showed they could derive temperature, pressure, and water vapor from GPS signals.
The success of GPS-MET led to COSMIC, the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate. The mission was a collaboration between U.S. agencies and Taiwan’s National Space Program Office. COSMIC demonstrated the global value of GNSS-RO for weather and climate forecasting.
COSMIC-2 launched in 2019. It delivered higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data and improved tropical coverage. Scientists could probe deeper into the lower atmosphere. Together, these missions established GNSS-RO as a key observing system for operational meteorology.
Pioneering GNSS-RO Innovation: The PlanetiQ Story
Few companies have advanced GNSS-RO technology more than PlanetiQ. Founded in 2015, the company focuses on commercial satellite weather data. Its mission was to deliver higher-quality GNSS-RO data faster than traditional government programs.
PlanetiQ was founded by members of the GNSS-RO team at Broad Reach Engineering. That group designed and built six GPS-RO payloads for the U.S. Air Force. It also contributed to the original COSMIC mission and additional receivers for KOMPSAT-5, TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, and PAZ.
These missions showed that small satellites could collect valuable atmospheric data from orbit.
PlanetiQ’s fourth-generation Pyxis GNSS-RO receiver builds on earlier designs. It delivers the industry’s highest signal-to-noise ratio and the highest RO production rate per day. The system also penetrates deeper into the lower troposphere, where weather changes most rapidly.
Advancing the Science of GNSS-RO
PlanetiQ’s satellite constellation collects thousands of RO profiles each day. Each measurement comes from the bending angle and Doppler shift of a GNSS signal. Scientists convert these measurements into temperature, pressure, and humidity profiles.
The company’s high SNR and clock stability improve measurements inside the boundary layer. This layer typically ranges from 400 to 4,000 meters above the surface. The improved data also help detect atmospheric ducting conditions.
Earlier instruments often discarded data from inside the boundary layer. PlanetiQ is developing tools that make these data useful for both research and operations.
Higher-SNR boundary layer data help meteorologists better predict severe weather and track climate trends. Improved clock stability also supports ionospheric nowcasting and space weather analysis.
Real-World Applications
GNSS-RO data now support many industries and operational systems.
Weather Forecasting and Climate Modeling
GNSS-RO improves forecast accuracy and supports long-term climate monitoring.
Aviation and Transportation
The data improve turbulence prediction, wind profiles, and contrail forecasting.
Energy and Renewables
GNSS-RO strengthens wind and solar forecasting for energy production planning.
Agriculture and Commodities
The data provide precise temperature and moisture information for crop and market analysis.
Insurance and Reinsurance
GNSS-RO supports severe weather prediction and risk assessment.
Government and Defense
The data improve public safety, disaster response, and space weather monitoring.
NOAA’s Historic Partnership with PlanetiQ
In 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded PlanetiQ the largest commercial satellite weather data contract in U.S. history. The contract exceeded $24 million.
The agreement marked a major milestone for commercial GNSS-RO. It also demonstrated the operational value of PlanetiQ’s data for national weather forecasting systems.
The award reflected decades of scientific and engineering work by the PlanetiQ team.
The Future of GNSS-RO and Atmospheric Science
PlanetiQ continues expanding its satellite constellation and improving its data products. The company is investing in new applications and scientific capabilities. It is also building partnerships to deepen understanding of weather, climate, and environmental change.
Each new satellite adds more atmospheric observations. Each new dataset improves insight into Earth’s atmosphere.
Conclusion
From GPS-MET to today’s advanced constellations, GNSS radio occultation has transformed atmospheric science. PlanetiQ has helped turn that scientific potential into operational capability.
The company now delivers some of the world’s highest-quality GNSS-RO data. Its systems continue setting new standards for accuracy, reliability, and operational impact.
Through continued innovation, PlanetiQ is helping make GNSS-RO a critical global resource for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and resilience in a changing world.
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