Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HyMS) Satellite Demonstrator Launched by Spire Global
One of Nine Satellites Orbited for the Company on SpaceX Twilight Mission
A Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HyMS) satellite demonstrator was launched Sunday for Spire Global on the SpaceX Twilight rideshare mission. The satellite, one of nine Spire payloads launched on the mission, is designed to advance global weather forecasting from space.
“This area represents a multi-billion-dollar global atmospheric sounding need, driven by the essential role these observations play in delivering accurate temperature and moisture profiles, particularly in cloudy conditions.”
Theresa Condor, Spire Global
HyMS is designed to capture detailed internal views of the Earth’s atmosphere, measuring important atmospheric variables including temperature, humidity, and precipitation. As a first-of-its-kind hyperspectral microwave mission, it will aim to help forecasters better understand how weather systems form and evolve in real time.
“Microwave sounding is one of the most impactful satellite observations for weather forecasting models worldwide, alongside radio occultation profiles,” said Theresa Condor, CEO of Spire Global. “This area represents a multi-billion-dollar global atmospheric sounding need, driven by the essential role these observations play in delivering accurate temperature and moisture profiles, particularly in cloudy conditions. With the successful launch of our Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder demonstrator, we are proud to strengthen our ability to support global forecasting agencies and further enable efficient and effective private sector participation in the global observing system.”
Expanding Myriota’s Space-Based IoT Network
On this mission, the Company also launched eight satellites for Myriota, expanding the IoT provider’s constellation and global space infrastructure to enable more scalable and reliable IoT connectivity for smart devices worldwide. This launch delivers an uplift in performance and resilience across Myriota’s IoT network.
Since partnering in 2021, Myriota has scaled its IoT connectivity platform rapidly by deploying its network software on Spire satellites that are optimized to host and run Myriota’s advanced network in space. The continued expansion strengthens Myriota’s ability to deliver low-power, secure, and resilient IoT connectivity serving industries such as agriculture, water management, logistics, and environmental monitoring.
“By working closely with Spire to expand our presence in this orbit, we’re delivering meaningful improvements for customers – faster message delivery, greater reliability, and stronger overall network performance. This investment marks a new level of Ultralight Network capability for Myriota customers worldwide,” said Paul Alexander, Chief Network Officer at Myriota.