NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations
NOAA Facility

Our Mission

The Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO) manages and directs NOAA's 24x7 environmental satellite operations, including command and control, data acquisition, product processing, product generation, and the distribution of environmental data and derived products to domestic and foreign users as well as associated services.



What we do:

  • Serves as the primary operating level interface with civil sector users of data from operational environmental satellites

  • Provides for the collection of environmental data from remote platforms using NESDIS satellites

  • Provides interpretive and consultative services to those users and is responsible for the transmission of data products to remote receiving stations

  • Manages the Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) System, and is responsible for coordinating and implementing the United States activities in the international satellite aided search and rescue program, COSPAS-SARSAT

  • Assists the Office of the Assistant Administrator in planning and developing new satellites and ground facilities and the major modifications to existing facilities within the central ground facilities and National Weather Service field stations

  • Maintains the central ground facilities and makes such improvements to the equipment and software that are within the available capabilities and resources

  • Evaluates the effectiveness of the operational ground facilities and procedures in terms of the quality and quantity

  • Assesses the timeliness of the products and services provided and maintains an inventory of operational products and services and prepares assessments, recommendations and plans for the initiation of new products and services