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  • September 2021 (Revised December 2021)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Spire, the CubeSat Revolution, and the Government as a Space Data Customer

By: Matthew Weinzierl, Mehak Sarang and Brendan L. Rosseau
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:27
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Abstract

This case outlines the rise of Spire Global, a young space company using CubeSats to provide weather data and weather prediction services. In addition to tracing the evolution of a space startup from novel idea to publicly-traded company, the case also examines the broader questions posed by the success of Spire and similar space companies: what are the potential costs and benefits to the privatization of remote sensing satellites? What new possibilities are enabled for both governments and private entities by private remote sensing companies? How does the incipience of companies like Spire challenge the established weather data regime? What's the significance of highly-popular special purpose acquisition companies?

Keywords

Space; Government Contracting; Remote Sensing; Satellites; Business Startups; Public Sector; Cost vs Benefits; Competition; Weather; Forecasting and Prediction

Citation

Weinzierl, Matthew, Mehak Sarang, and Brendan L. Rosseau. "Spire, the CubeSat Revolution, and the Government as a Space Data Customer." Harvard Business School Case 722-013, September 2021. (Revised December 2021.)
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About The Author

Matthew C. Weinzierl

Business, Government and the International Economy
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Related Work

    • September 2021 (Revised December 2021)
    • Faculty Research

    Spire, the CubeSat Revolution, and the Government as a Space Data Customer

    By: Matthew Weinzierl, Mehak Sarang and Brendan L. Rosseau
Related Work
  • Spire, the CubeSat Revolution, and the Government as a Space Data Customer By: Matthew Weinzierl, Mehak Sarang and Brendan L. Rosseau
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