To promote a robust domestic commercial space industry and strengthen U.S. leadership as the country of choice for conducting commercial space activities, the National Space Policy directs agencies to purchase and use U.S. commercial space capabilities and services, to the maximum practical extent, when such capabilities and services meet government requirements.

NOAA’s Commercial Weather Data Pilot and Commercial Data Purchase programs are taking concrete steps to support the development of commercial markets for space-based weather data. As a result of these programs, NOAA is now using commercial satellite data to improve its operational weather forecasts.

NOAA has also traditionally purchased commercially available satellite imagery in support of ice monitoring, coastal surveying, disaster response, and other missions.