About OSPO

The Office of Satellite Products and Operations (OSPO) collects, processes, and distributes environmental satellite data and derived products about Earth's weather, atmosphere, oceans, land, and near-space conditions to domestic and foreign users. OSPO manages and directs the operation of the central ground facilities which ingest, process, and distribute environmental satellite data and derived products to domestic and foreign users. OSPO maintains a continuous and reliable stream of satellite data and products. Satellite imagery and products are available on their website.
OSPO Organization Chart

 

OFFICE OF SATELLITE AND PRODUCT OPERATIONS
Greg Marlow - Director (acting)

The Office of Satellite Products and Operations (OSPO) collects, processes, and distributes environmental satellite data and derived products about Earth's weather, atmosphere, oceans, land, and near-space conditions to domestic and foreign users. OSPO manages and directs the operation of the central ground facilities which ingest, process, and distribute environmental satellite data and derived products to domestic and foreign users. OSPO maintains a continuous and reliable stream of satellite data and products.

 

SATELLITE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DIVISION
Thomas Renkevens - Chief
Christopher O'Connors - Deputy Chief

The Satellite Products and Services Division (SPSD) serves as the primary interface with the user community of environmental satellite data and products. SPSD provides, analyses, blended products from polar orbiting and geostationary satellites, and interpretive services. These satellite products are distributed to a diverse user community for a broad range of environmental applications. SPSD maintains an operational satellite data distribution network providing user access to real-time or near real-time environmental data and information. A quality assurance program is used to systematically evaluate and manage the satellite products and services, and to ensure continuous product improvement. Working with other organizations within NESDIS and NOAA, new products are tested, evaluated, and implemented when deemed operationally useful. In partnership with other agencies, the Division evaluates and deploys new technologies to satisfy emerging requirements.

 

SATELLITE PRODUCTS BRANCH
Antonio "Ricky" Irving - Chief

The Product Implementation Branch (PIB) ensures the seamless transition of products and analysis techniques from research to operations. The Branch works closely with the NESDIS Office of Research & Applications (ORA), the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA), and NWS’ National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to ensure that advanced satellite data and analysis techniques are incorporated into NOAA’s numerical modeling activities. PIB continuously monitors the quality of NESDIS operational product portfolio, evaluates system performance for each assigned product, and provides corrective maintenance and adaptive software maintenance for those products, as needed. The Branch utilizes interactive processing technology to integrate multiple satellite sensor data streams into new blended operationally support products. The Branch serves as the NESDIS focal point for the development of new major digital products, and for the development and implementation of interactive workstation technology, and image processing capabilities used for operational applications of environmental satellite data.

 

SATELLITE ANALYSIS BRANCH
Davida Streett - Chief

The Satellite Analysis Branch serves as the operational focal point for real-time imagery products and multi-disciplinary environmental analyses within NESDIS. The Branch's primary mission is to operate new proof of concept satellite analysis techniques needed to support disaster mitigation and warning services for U.S. Federal agencies and the international community. Prototype environmental analyses are provided to NWS Warning & Forecast Offices, NCEP Centers, and to oceanographic and other environmental users of NESDIS satellite products. The Branch works closely with its operational partners to assess the utility of these new satellite analyses. Once the analyses have been proven to have operational value, the Branch transitions responsibility for continued operational production to the appropriate operational partner. The Branch schedules and distributes real-time satellite imagery products from global geostationary and polar orbiting satellites for dissemination to environmental customers.

 

DIRECT SERVICES BRANCH
Mark Turner - Chief

The Direct Services Branch manages the satellite transmission services the provide operational data, derived products and support for the worldwide direct readout community who are given free, unrestricted access to the scientific data directly from the NOAA satellites. The Branch also administers the GOES Data Collection (DCS), the Argos Data Collection and Locations Systems used by researchers, governmental and environmental organizations worldwide and is the United States operator for the international Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) system, utilizing NOAA satellites, dedicated to saving persons in distress on land or water.