Juniper’s newest GNSS receiver, the Juniper Spire, is designed to simplify location data collection. With the Spire, users can achieve high-accuracy results with a light, compact design, one-button operation, and corrections services right out of the box.
Built for rugged environments and long workdays, it offers seamless integration with mobile devices and data collection apps, making it a reliable companion for all GIS and asset mapping applications.
It is designed for work in both remote areas and urban settings, and supports SBAS, Network RTK, and future correction services. Gather meter to centimeter-level data with our most forgiving antenna. With fast satellite acquisition, multi-constellation tracking, and extended battery life, it delivers consistent performance across a wide range of applications—from environmental monitoring to utility inspections.
Key features include:
Accuracy down to the 2cm range
Worldwide corrections with SBAS, RTK, and future compatibilities
The research satellite will in collecting high-quality, high-resolution data for terrestrial, coastal and ocean ecosystems for a three-year period after launch, according to Matthew McCabe, director of the KAUST Climate and Livability Initiative. McCabe described the launch as a qualitative process for the Kingdom’s efforts in the field of protecting and restoring ecosystems on land and at sea.
A CubeSat is a small satellite consisting of one or several 10x10x10 cm units, no more than 1.33 kilograms per unit. CubeSats can range from 1 unit (1U) to 12 units (12U). The KAUST satellite is 6U.
“In the past, launching a satellite was the sole domain of governments, with costs well beyond the reach of a university,” McCabe said. “CubeSats are helping to democratize space, providing the opportunity to launch a customized platform at a fraction of the traditional cost.”
The data collected will provide high-resolution details about current conditions of ecosystems in the region, and monitor improvements from environmental management strategies, supporting the Saudi Green Initiative among others.
The CubeSat is equipped with Spire’s GNSS reflectometry reflectors, as well as a hyperspectral imaging sensor. It is supported by advanced capabilities in processing and artificial intelligence.
The satellite will allow KAUST University researchers collect and analyze high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface for detailed mapping of terrestrial environments, monitoring of vegetation cover status, exploration of coastal ecosystems and coral reefs, development of precision agricultural research, and a host of other Earth and environmental science applications.
The imaging sensor can image areas of interest anywhere in the world across more than 30 user-adjustable spectral bands. The sensor data can be combined with Spire’s GNSS receiver to monitor micro-environmental variables such as soil moisture, helping in many areas such as agriculture, forestry and land management.
“The capacity to observe the Earth in high-resolution hyperspectral detail will allow for the production of enhanced metrics to map and monitor change anywhere in the world,” McCabe said. “Closer to home, Saudi Arabia is focusing considerable effort towards the protection and restoration of its precious terrestrial and ocean systems. The data from this KAUST CubeSat will be invaluable in providing new information on both the state of existing ecosystems, and for monitoring changes resulting from improved management strategies – something that can be used to support aspects of the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives.”
On June 26, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the summary of the results of Commercial Weather Data Pilot (CWDP) Round 2. View the summary here.
In Round 2, NOAA evaluated GNSS radio occultation data from two U.S. commercial space companies: GeoOptics and Spire. NOAA concludes that, based on the results of CWDP Round 2, the commercial sector is able to provide radio occultation data that can support NOAA’s operational products and services.
“As a result, NOAA is proceeding with plans to acquire commercial RO data for operational use,” the summary states.
According to GeoOptics, the report highlights the unique qualities of its commercial GNSS-RO data and its ability to improve weather and space weather forecasts around the world.
“As today’s report demonstrates, commercial satellite data will enable NOAA to make significant improvements in forecasting worldwide within the consistent budget limitations under which it operates,” said GeoOptics CEO Conrad Lautenbacher.
NOAA anticipates release of a request for proposals soon for operational purchase of commercial radio occultation data, continuing an acquisition process that began in April with NOAA’s release of a draft Statement of Work.
NOAA has requested $15 million in FY 2021 to support Commercial Data Purchase. The FY 2021 Budget also requests $8 million for CWDP to investigate new commercial technologies beyond radio occultation.
By moving into this next phase of engagement with U.S. industry, NOAA is leveraging commercial space sector capabilities to support its operational products and services and to continue to improve its weather forecasting capabilities. NOAA plans to implement additional rounds of the CWDP to evaluate commercial capabilities beyond radio occultation data for potential operational use.
A free GPS World webinar on Nov. 21 tackles a new frontier, if not the final one, for GNSS. “Developments in Space GNSS Navigation,” sponsored by NovAtel, brings together experts from NASA, ESA, NovAtel and Spire (the CubeSat company) to discuss how they’re taking GNSS capabilities beyond Earth’s boundaries.
Navigating through space has long proven to be challenge for aerospace engineers and professionals because of the complex combination of technology and cost required for success.
However, with advancements in GNSS and receiver technology, organizations and nations around the world are increasingly interested in space exploration activities.
Today, the space industry is seeing GNSS technology used in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and highly elliptical orbit scenarios.
In this webinar, speakers from NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), NovAtel and Spire will examine emerging trends regarding the usage of GNSS technology in the space industry, including an increasing need for situational awareness while navigating through space and the ability to service satellites while in orbit.
These experts will also provide a look into their own experiences with a variety of ambitious space projects and applications.
Speakers include:
Werner Enderle, Head of Navigation Support Office, ESA European Space Operations Center
Benjamin Ashman, Aerospace Engineer, NASA
Erin Kahr, Critical Safety Systems, NovAtel
Dallas Masters, GNSS Program Manager, Spire
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2019 Time: 1 p.m. EST / 10 a.m. PST / 7 p.m. (1900h) Central European Time
