NASA awards $476 million in commercial satellite data contracts
Eight providers selected to supply diverse data observations through November 2028
NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program has awarded contracts to eight commercial providers under its On-Ramp 2 initiative. The firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract carries a maximum cumulative value of $476 million and extends through November 2028. The awards are designed to support Earth science research by providing a diverse range of satellite data observations.
The selected vendors will supply various data types to assist NASA’s Earth science research and application goals. These commercial providers complement NASA’s existing Earth observation capabilities, expanding the range of data available for evaluation and use. CSDA Project Manager Dana Ostrenga stated that the combined observations provide researchers with a more comprehensive view of Earth’s atmosphere, land, oceans, cryosphere, and solid Earth.
Data from the selected vendors will be accessible to authorised users via the Satellite Data Explorer (SDX). This web-based tool allows approved users to search, discover, access, task, and download the data acquired from commercial partners. To access SDX, individuals must complete the CSDA Program Data Authorization Form and possess an Earthdata Login.
The On-Ramp 2 contract includes a provision allowing NASA to periodically reopen the solicitation. This mechanism enables new vendors to submit proposals and existing CSDA vendors to propose new data products or those derived from new instruments that were not available during the original proposal period.
Proposals are solicited via Sam.gov, the U.S. government’s official system for managing federal contract proposals. A Solicitation Evaluation Board assesses these proposals against technical requirements for continuous observations, orbit platforms, and alignment with NASA Earth Science Division (ESD) goals. Selected vendors must then have their data evaluated by CSDA before competing for task orders.
The CSDA program serves as NASA’s central mechanism for identifying, acquiring, and evaluating commercial Earth observation data. The program augments capabilities by acquiring commercial satellite data that offer higher spatial resolution, increased revisit frequency, complementary measurement capabilities, and taskable observations.
