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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Commercial (Comm) Radio Occultation (RO) Raw Data Record (RDR) from Spire Global Subsidiary

CommRO RDR - Spire

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This dataset contains Commercial (Comm) Radio Occultation (RO) raw data from Spire Global Subsidiary, which is an established method for remote sounding of the atmosphere. The technique uses an instrument in low-Earth orbit (LEO) to track radio signals from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) transmitters as they rise or set through the atmosphere. The occulting atmosphere refracts or bends the radio signals, and given the precise positions of both satellites, the bending angle can be deduced from the time delay of the signal. Collecting these measurements for a full occultation through the atmosphere provides a vertical profile of bending angles, from which profiles of physical quantities such as temperature, humidity, and ionospheric electron density can be retrieved. These data primarily feed numerical weather prediction (NWP) models that support weather forecasts, and also support space weather analysis/prediction at NOAA.
  • Cite as: Spire Global Subsidiary (2021): Commercial (Comm) Radio Occultation (RO) Raw Data Record (RDR) from Spire Global Subsidiary. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.25921/m2te-hp45. [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01613
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Download Data
  • NCEI Direct Download (download)
    Direct download location for the data files by site in year-month directories.
Distribution Formats
  • Various
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 2020-12-16 to Present (time interval: 1-day)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2020-12-17
Data Presentation Form Digital profile - vertical cross-section in digital form
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose These data are available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Spire Global Subsidiary (2021): Commercial (Comm) Radio Occultation (RO) Raw Data Record (RDR) from Spire Global Subsidiary. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.25921/m2te-hp45. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Spire Global Subsidiary
Collaborators
  • NOAA/NESDIS/OSAAP>Office of Systems Architecture and Advance Planning
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Sun-Earth Interactions > Ionosphere/Magnetosphere Dynamics
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Vertical Profiles
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric Composition
  • Upper Atmosphere
  • Surface
Keyword Thesaurus Title
  • NOAA Central Computer Facility
  • Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
  • CubeSats
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • UCAR/COSMIC/CDAAC > COSMIC Data Analysis and Archive Center, Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • GNSS-RO RECEIVER > Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Ionosphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Spire Global Subsidiary (2021): Commercial (Comm) Radio Occultation (RO) Raw Data Record (RDR) from Spire Global Subsidiary. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.25921/m2te-hp45. [access date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement Data are created at a private commercial company that was awarded an NOAA Data Buy for Radio Occultation Data. The data were sent from the private company to NOAA NCCF and then distributed to UCAR and then sent to NCEI for archival.
Processor
  • Spire Global Subsidiary
Processing Steps
  • These are raw data from Spire Global Subsidiary. Please see the archived documentation for reference or contact UCAR.
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov