NASA Expands Satellite Weather Data Partnership with PlanetiQ

The integration of polarized radio occultation (PRO) data allows scientists to move beyond traditional atmospheric profiling. By utilizing dual-polarized antennas, PlanetiQ satellites measure the phase shift between horizontal and vertical signals as they pass through falling rain and snow. Because precipitation particles often flatten during descent, this subtle delay offers a precise diagnostic tool for mapping melting layers and storm dynamics.

Dr. E. Robert Kursinski, Chief Scientist at PlanetiQ, noted that the expanded access aims to accelerate both scientific discovery and operational weather monitoring. The high signal-to-noise ratio of the firm's receivers is particularly effective at capturing lighter precipitation patterns that standard sensors might overlook. This move follows the company’s recent momentum in the sector, including a significant $24.3 million contract awarded by NOAA in 2025 to bolster numerical weather prediction models.