Quality Assessment Report Evaluates Tomorrow.io Precipitation Radar Data

A new quality assessment report from NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program approved the use of rain radar data from Tomorrow.io for scientific use by NASA.

Issued on March 9, 2026, the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program Tomorrow.io Radar Quality Assessment Report documents the evaluation process of NASA subject matter experts (SMEs) enlisted to analyze the data quality of the Ka-band Precipitation Radars aboard the company’s R1 and R2 spacecraft.

SMEs assessed the company’s Level 2 Precipitation products and geolocation accuracy and their results were generally consistent with the analysis provided by Tomorrow.io in its algorithm theoretical basis document. The geolocation view shows a “very good correlation” of 0.98 with reference to the digital elevation model (DEM). Furthermore, the ground radar comparison is in good agreement for both radars, with ground radar correlations of 0.73 and 0.93. (R2 shows slightly higher accuracy than R1, with biases of -22% (R1) and -6% (R2)). Based on these results, SMEs concluded that the Tomorrow.io precipitation radar data will be considered for NASA scientific use, depending on the alignment of scientific objectives and application requirements.

At Tomorrow.io, CSDA’s independent program evaluation process provides the confidence the scientific community needs to trust commercial Earth observation data.

“When NASA’s own subject matter experts prove that a commercially built space-based radar system can contribute meaningfully to programs like NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement missions, that opens a new chapter for Earth observation,” said Rei Goffer, Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of Tomorrow.io. “We created these instruments to demonstrate that the commercial sector can provide science-quality data from space, and we are proud that NASA’s probe supports that vision.”

NASA’s Earth Science Division (ESD) established the CSDA program to identify, evaluate, and acquire commercial remote sensing data that advance NASA’s Earth science research and applications. CSDA provides structured on-ramping opportunities for emerging commercial satellite data vendors, enabling NASA to continuously integrate new data sources as the private sector develops. By leveraging these partnerships, NASA’s ESD aims to accelerate scientific discovery and expand the applications of Earth observation data for NASA Earth science research and community and social welfare applications.

Since its initial pilot, the CSDA Program has held three on-ramp events, resulting in the addition of many vendors to the continuum. Since then, the program has streamlined the evaluation process by introducing high-quality, SME-led data assessments, speeding up reviews and strengthening NASA’s engagement with the rapidly growing commercial data ecosystem. CSDA’s evaluation criteria include:

• Data accessibility
• Completeness and accuracy of metadata
• User support services provided by commercial entities
• Usefulness of submitted data for science and application

This approach ensures that NASA gets timely access to high-quality, mission-relevant commercial data, and provides valuable feedback to private sector providers, fostering innovation, improved data products, and aligning industry capabilities with NASA’s evolving science needs.

To read the Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program Tomorrow.io Radar Quality Assessment Reportvisit the CSDA website.

For more information about CSDA program process for identifying commercial satellite vendors for on-ramp and evaluationvisit the CSDA website.

Learn more about Tomorrow.io commercial data available through the new CSDA program Vendor Focus webinar.