Researchers and federal partners will get new pathways to commercial Earth observations when NASA presents an update on the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition program at a webinar on 9/23. The session will introduce a calibration and validation, or Cal/Val, initiative and explain how the agency is evaluating and integrating commercial imagery into its Earth science workflows.
CSDA was set up by NASA’s Earth Science Division to supplement government and international observations with commercially supplied satellite data that can meet research and application needs more cost effectively. The webinar will review the range of data types the program is working with, outline the current evaluation process, and report on the status of existing contracts with commercial providers.
Program leaders will also walk through legal and practical access issues that matter to end users, including end‑user licensing agreements, data availability, and the mechanics of obtaining imagery. They will demonstrate new archive and tasking capabilities added to the Satellite Data Explorer, describe user engagement opportunities, and point attendees toward new learning resources the program has created.
NASA will highlight how additional commercial sources can join CSDA’s roster and explain the “on‑ramp” options for prospective vendors. Current commercial partners include firms such as Airbus, BlackSky, Capella, GHGSat, ICEYE, and Planet, among others working with the program. The update will also touch on CSDA tools for satellite data evaluation and cataloguing that aim to make commercial datasets more accessible to scientists and applications teams.
The webinar functions as both a status report and a practical guide to working with CSDA services. Attendees can register through the program’s registration link to hear directly from CSDA leadership, learn about contracting and access pathways, and see demonstrations of the Satellite Data Explorer’s new capabilities.
