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Spire wins $28M weather-sounding contract as LeoLabs secures $20.7M Space Force radar deal

Spire Global will develop and flight-qualify a satellite carrying a hyperspectral microwave sounder under a two-year, $28 million NOAA contract, targeting operational capability by 2030. Separately, LeoLabs won a $20.7 million Space Force contract to modify and demonstrate its transportable Scout radar for a defense mission.

Discovered 2026-08-26T06:51:00.182946-07:00 | 2026-08-26T06:51:00.182946-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

Spire’s contract advances hyperspectral microwave sounding for operational weather forecasting, with capability targeted to begin in 2030.
LeoLabs’ $20.7 million award expands the Scout radar beyond its traditional satellite-and-debris tracking role into a Space Force defense mission.
Together, the awards show government demand for commercially developed space-based weather and surveillance capabilities, spanning civil forecasting and national security applications.

Reported By

Payload Seeking Alpha SpaceNews.com Defense Daily