Welcome to the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR)

The Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) is the science arm of the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS), which acquires and manages the nation's operational Earth-observing satellites. NESDIS provides data from these satellites, and conducts research to make that possible.

STAR's Mission

To provide NOAA with scientific research and development to accelerate the transition of state-of-the-art satellite products, data systems, and services to operations for use by land, atmosphere, ocean, and climate user communities.

STAR Announces Paul DiGiacomo as New Chief of the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division

June 15, 2009 - STAR is pleased to announce that Dr. Paul M. DiGiacomo has accepted the position of Chief of the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division (SOCD) in the NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). Paul first came to NOAA in 2006, having served the past three years as the Chief of the Marine Ecosystems and Climate Branch in STAR/SOCD, as well as the NOAA CoastWatch Program Manager. Prior to joining NOAA, Paul served as Supervisor of the Earth Missions Concepts Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA, as well as the Discipline Program Manager of the Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems Program Office at JPL. Read more!

Sid Boukabara Named New JCSDA Senior Scientist

April 17, 2009 - Recently honored with a Bronze Medal Award for his work on a team developing and assimilating Metop products, Sid-Ahmed Boukabara has worked at STAR since 2005, first as a contractor, and since 2007 as a federal employee. Until 2005 he was a scientist with Atmospheric Environmental Research (AER) Inc., working on various projects including MonoRTM, NPOESS CrIS, CMIS and QuikSCAT. Since joining STAR, he has lead efforts to develop variational algorithms applicable to all-weather conditions and over all surface backgrounds. In this new capacity, STAR expects Sid will bring lots of energy and new ideas to STAR and to the JCSDA. STAR congratulates him.

Over 20 STAR Scientists Honored with Dept. of Commerce 2008 Bronze Medal Honor Awards

April 7, 2009 - At the NOAA Honor Awards Ceremony in downtown Washington, D.C., over 20 STAR scientists received Bronze Medals honoring their work on three different projects.

Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA's new administrator, addressed the assembly, and praised the work of the award winners. Click to see the complete list of STAR Bronze Medal winners and more photos from the event.