SSEC Overview

Established in 1965, SSEC is a dynamic, multidisciplinary research and development center in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Graduate School. The Center is based on the pioneering work of its founders, Professors Verner E. Suomi (Meteorology) and Robert J. Parent (Electrical Engineering). Suomi's spin-scan camera, used on all geostationary satellites worldwide from the 1960s through 1994, was the impetus for the Center's research in atmospheric and space sciences. SSEC continues to contribute to current-generation geostationary and polar orbiting weather satellites through software development, simulation analysis and instrument conceptualization.

With Professor Francis Bretherton as SSEC director from 1988-1999, the Center expanded to add global change studies and management of climate data. As part of the Earth Observing System's Data and Information System, SSEC makes its archived data readily accessible to scientists from a variety of earth science backgrounds.

Current Director, Dr. Henry Revercomb, continues to strengthen SSEC's national and international role in instrument development and applications science. SSEC's contribution to programs that make high spectral resolution measurements of the earth system is helping to create new instruments that will greatly improve weather forecast accuracy.

While SSEC supports the research activities of graduate students enrolled in degree-granting programs, SSEC does not grant degrees. The center's facilities and staff are used by principal investigators throughout the University. Federal agencies provide most financial support, with modest amounts from other universities, governments, and the private sector.

SSEC is organized around project goals with as many as 100 projects or more in-house at one time. Supporting these diverse programs are about 160 scientists, engineers, technicians, computer and software specialists, and general support staff. Approximately 20-30 graduate and undergraduate students also work on SSEC projects.

Major SSEC Initiatives

atmospheric studies of Earth and other planets
interactive computing, data access, and image processing
spaceflight hardware development and fabrication

Noted Scientific Work

satellite and other weather observing instruments
remote sensing applications in earth and atmospheric science
spaceflight instrumentation
planetary meteorology
data visualization
diagnostic and numerical studies of the atmosphere

Associated Organizations

For more information about SSEC and its services, contact SSEC's Public Information Officer at (608) 263-3373 or email using our Contact Form.



About Us SSEC Overview Strategic Plan SSEC Booklet Visitor Information Library News and Information	SSEC Overview Established in 1965, SSEC is a dynamic, multidisciplinary research and development center in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Graduate School. The Center is based on the pioneering work of its founders, Professors Verner E. Suomi (Meteorology) and Robert J. Parent (Electrical Engineering). Suomi's spin-scan camera, used on all geostationary satellites worldwide from the 1960s through 1994, was the impetus for the Center's research in atmospheric and space sciences. SSEC continues to contribute to current-generation geostationary and polar orbiting weather satellites through software development, simulation analysis and instrument conceptualization. With Professor Francis Bretherton as SSEC director from 1988-1999, the Center expanded to add global change studies and management of climate data. As part of the Earth Observing System's Data and Information System, SSEC makes its archived data readily accessible to scientists from a variety of earth science backgrounds. Current Director, Dr. Henry Revercomb, continues to strengthen SSEC's national and international role in instrument development and applications science. SSEC's contribution to programs that make high spectral resolution measurements of the earth system is helping to create new instruments that will greatly improve weather forecast accuracy. While SSEC supports the research activities of graduate students enrolled in degree-granting programs, SSEC does not grant degrees. The center's facilities and staff are used by principal investigators throughout the University. Federal agencies provide most financial support, with modest amounts from other universities, governments, and the private sector. SSEC is organized around project goals with as many as 100 projects or more in-house at one time. Supporting these diverse programs are about 160 scientists, engineers, technicians, computer and software specialists, and general support staff. Approximately 20-30 graduate and undergraduate students also work on SSEC projects. Major SSEC Initiatives atmospheric studies of Earth and other planets interactive computing, data access, and image processing spaceflight hardware development and fabrication Noted Scientific Work satellite and other weather observing instruments remote sensing applications in earth and atmospheric science spaceflight instrumentation planetary meteorology data visualization diagnostic and numerical studies of the atmosphere Associated Organizations Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies Antarctic Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Institute National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service other University of Wisconsin departments such as Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, the Space Astronomy Laboratory, and Physics Department For more information about SSEC and its services, contact SSEC's Public Information Officer at (608) 263-3373 or email using our Contact Form.


Last Updated: February 8, 2007	SSEC, 1225 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53706, USA For questions or problems about this page, please contact SSEC Webmaster