[Satellite TODAY 10-28-10] The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) granted GeoMetWatch the first commercial remote sensing license for a geostationary hyperspectral imaging/sounding system in the United States, GeoMetWatch announced Oct. 27.
    The license permits the company to operate up to six satellites in geostationary orbit to provide hyperspectral imaging and sounding products for advanced environmental and weather observations. With the license, GeoMetWatch will develop capabilities to provide NOAA and international weather agencies with observations required to improve severe weather forecasts, hurricane tracking, numerical weather prediction and environmental monitoring. The GeoMetWatch space-based remote sensing system will encompass a hyperspectral sounder with basic imaging capability co-hosted on a commercial satellite bus. 
    “The impetus for our license application was the NOAA solicitation of commercial sources to meet U.S. government requirements for satellite-based observations, particularly in the area of geostationary sounding. This requirement is an essential part of improving severe weather forecasts," GeoMetWatch CEO David Crain said in a statement.