Wednesday, August 26, 2026

SmallSat 2026: Spire wins $28M NOAA contract

Plus: Why smallsat constellations face growing threats
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SpaceNews coverage from SmallSat 2026

08/26/2026  |  READ IN BROWSER


Our latest reporting from the 40th annual Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City


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Spire wins $28 Million NOAA contract to advance hyperspectral microwave sounding technology

By Debra Werner

Spire Global won a $28 million NASA contract to build and flight qualify a satellite and hyperspectral microwave sounder for operational weather forecasting.


The system will be designed to support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather-forecasting needs and to help the agency analyze the impact of hyperspectral microwave observations on numerical weather prediction.


The latest award is a two-year contract to advance “the technology beyond on-orbit demonstration and toward the scale required for operational weather observations,” Spire said.

Panel warns of growing threats to smallsat constellations

Small satellites face growing threats because potential adversaries recognize their expanding role in providing communication, Earth observation and navigation services, a panel of satellite and cybersecurity experts said at the 2026 Small Satellite Conference.


Sarmony to launch SAR demonstration satellite on Kairos

Space One and Sarmony announced Aug. 25 that they signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the launch of Sarmony’s first SAR DiskSat spacecraft on a Kairos rocket in 2028. The satellite will test technologies that Sarmony plans to deploy on a constellation of satellites with synthetic aperture radar payloads.

Miratlas seeks funds to expand optical ground station mapping technology

French startup Miratlas is seeking investors to expand atmospheric-monitoring technology that helps operators find the best sites for their weather-sensitive optical ground stations. The company is aiming to raise 20 million euros ($23 million) to grow its network of Sky Monitor sensors from roughly 60 sites worldwide to more than 150.


SkyFi unveils AI navigator for geospatial platform

U.S. geospatial data and analytics provider SkyFi unveiled an artificial intelligence navigator Aug. 26 compares availability, resolution and price across more than 300 sources.

Save $100 on a year of SpaceNews: Through Aug. 31, use code SMALLSAT40 to get 40% off any new subscription. Get access to all our reporting and commentary. Subscribe now.

Simera Sense broadens smallsat imaging lineup 

Simera Sense has supplied 10 hyperspectral imagers to U.S. satellite services provider Loft Orbital over the past year, the Belgian manufacturer disclosed Aug. 26 amid a push to expand imaging capabilities for smaller spacecraft.


CesiumAstro raising more funds amid acquisition spree

CesiumAstro is in the middle of a Series D funding round to support the phased-array antenna specialist’s transformation into a constellation operator.

Arkisys to equip satellites with Odin Black Box

Odin Space, a British startup focused on addressing lethal, non-trackable space debris, has extended its agreement to fly its Black Box on Arkisys Cutter spacecraft. Under the pact announced Aug. 25, four additional Odin Black Boxes will launch on Arkisys Cutter small spacecraft.


SpaceX offers space safety service for satellite operators

SpaceX is encouraging satellite operators to use a new space safety platform the company has developed to reduce the risk of collisions in congested low Earth orbits.

FROM SPACENEWS

Processing on the edge: In the latest episode of the Space Minds podcast, SpaceNews’ Mike Gruss interviews Frontgrade CTO Lorne Graves. They discuss how processing power on spacecraft is adapting to the rise of megaconstellations, what benefits satellite processing power would enable and how the space community can learn from electronic warfare. Watch or listen now.

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The growing threats to smallsats

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