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PlanetIQ develops and operates a commercial satellite constellation focused on providing high-resolution atmospheric data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The company specializes in Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) technology, leveraging satellites to collect precise measurements of Earth's atmosphere. This approach yields critical data used to improve the accuracy of global weather models and enhance climate research.
The company was founded in 2015 by Chris McCormick, bringing together extensive expertise in aerospace engineering, planetary science, and satellite technology. This foundation allowed PlanetIQ to pursue its objective of deploying a dedicated satellite network. Robert Kursinski is also noted as a co-founder, contributing to the initial vision and technical development.
PlanetIQ's data services cater to a diverse clientele across various sectors, including defense, energy, and aviation, where accurate weather information is paramount for operational decision-making. The company’s long-term vision centers on continuously expanding its constellation to deliver the most comprehensive and reliable satellite-derived atmospheric data, supporting improved forecasts and deeper insights into Earth’s changing climate.
PlanetIQ has raised $19.0M across 1 funding round.
PlanetIQ has raised $19.0M in total across 1 funding round.
PlanetIQ has raised $19.0M in total across 1 funding round.
PlanetIQ's investors include AV8 Ventures, Moonshots Capital, Earth Investments, Hemisphere Ventures, Kodem Growth Partners, Service Provider Capital, Valo Ventures, Virginia Tech.
PlanetIQ is a technology company that builds a commercial satellite constellation to deliver high-precision GPS radio occultation (GPS-RO) weather data for forecasting, climate monitoring, and space weather analysis.[1][2][3][4][5] It serves government agencies, defense, aviation, maritime, agriculture, transportation, and industry sectors by providing measurements of atmospheric temperature, water vapor, pressure, and wind speed with superior signal-to-noise ratio and resolution, solving the problem of inaccurate global weather models due to data gaps.[1][3][5] The company has raised $18.7M in funding, employs 11-50 people, and generates around $5.1M in revenue, with recent momentum from launching its fourth-generation GNOMES-4 satellite in December 2023 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.[2][4]
PlanetIQ was founded in 2012 in Golden, Colorado, by a team of space mission veterans who identified critical gaps in global atmospheric data feeding numerical weather models.[1][2][3][4] The idea emerged from their experience facilitating experimental space missions, including early weather and climate efforts, prompting them to develop proprietary flight instruments for superior global sounding data.[3] Early traction came from targeting government agencies and commercial applications, evolving from Earth Investments to focus on deploying the world's premier commercial GPS-RO constellation; a pivotal moment was the 2023 GNOMES-4 launch, featuring their Pyxis sensor for the most accurate weather forecasting.[1][4]
PlanetIQ rides the trend of escalating extreme weather events—now causing over a billion-dollar U.S. disaster monthly—by filling data voids in atmospheric observation, crucial for AI-enhanced forecasting and climate modeling.[3] Timing aligns with advances in satellite tech, SpaceX launches, and AI integration in meteorology, amplified by market forces like population growth, infrastructure demands, and geopolitical needs for resilient operations.[1][2][3] It influences the ecosystem by supplying superior inputs to global models, aiding governments and industries in mitigation, while competing with firms like Maxar and Ursa in Earth observation analytics.[1]
PlanetIQ is poised to scale its constellation for dense global coverage, integrating more AI to quantify climate change and extend forecasts, potentially dominating commercial GPS-RO as weather volatility rises.[3][5] Trends like AI meteorology and frequent launches will accelerate growth, evolving its role from data provider to key enabler of resilient economies—tying back to revolutionizing atmospheric understanding for safer outcomes.[3][4][5]
PlanetIQ has raised $19.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $19.0M Series B in July 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2019 | $19.0M Series B | AV8 Ventures | Moonshots Capital, Earth Investments, Hemisphere Ventures, Kodem Growth Partners, Service Provider Capital, Valo Ventures, Virginia Tech |