NASA to Host Webinar on Commercial Satellite Data Program
NASA announced a September 23 webinar providing an update on its Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program's activities and progress.
NASA announced a webinar for September 23, 2026, to provide an update on its Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program, according to a notice posted on the agency's science website.
What NASA Says the Program Does
NASA describes the CSDA Program as a science-enabling effort that provides licensed access to high-quality commercial Earth observation data. The agency says the program strengthens data quality through calibration and validation (cal/val) partnerships and transparent evaluations, and funds the development of science and application use cases intended to turn commercial data into research and applied solutions.
NASA says the program augments its existing fleet of freely and openly available Earth observing satellite data with commercial datasets that offer higher resolution, higher frequency, and tasking capability.
What the Webinar Will Cover
According to NASA, speakers at the webinar will give an overview of the CSDA program's activities and progress. The agency says topics will include the data modalities available through the program, updates to the evaluation process, and a new cal/val initiative.
NASA says presenters will also cover the status of existing task orders with CSDA data providers, the types of end-user licensing agreements available, data availability and access, and new data archive and tasking capabilities available through the Satellite Data Explorer. NASA says the session will additionally address user engagement opportunities and new learning resources.
The announcement was published under the byline Joseph Smith. Registration information is available through NASA's CSDA program page.
NASA, September 14, 2026.
Key takeaways
- NASA's CSDA program provides licensed access to commercial Earth observation data and funds efforts to turn that data into research and applied solutions, according to NASA.
- NASA says the program supplements its freely available satellite data with high-resolution, high-frequency, and taskable commercial datasets.
- The September 23 webinar will cover the evaluation process, a new calibration/validation initiative, and the status of existing task orders with CSDA data providers, per NASA.
- NASA says presenters will also address end-user licensing agreements, data access, new features in the Satellite Data Explorer, and new learning resources.
- Registration for the webinar is available through NASA's CSDA program page.
FAQ
What is the CSDA program?
NASA describes it as a science-enabling program that provides licensed access to commercial Earth observation data, supports calibration and validation partnerships, and funds science and application use cases.
When is the webinar?
NASA says the webinar is scheduled for September 23, 2026.
What topics will the webinar cover?
According to NASA, topics include data modalities, updates to the evaluation process, a new cal/val initiative, task order status with data providers, licensing agreements, data access, and new capabilities in the Satellite Data Explorer.
How does the CSDA program relate to NASA's other Earth data?
NASA says the program augments its freely and openly available Earth observing satellite data with high-resolution, high-frequency, and taskable commercial datasets.