To satisfy a user’s request for spaceborne remote sensing data a series of elements in the data chain must come together. The complete data chain has three major elements; orbiting platforms (to collect the data), data reception facilities and data processing facilities. The UK has a wide range of remote sensing users and, to support them, it has a strong presence in all areas of the data chain.

This paper will describe the less well known, but equally important area of data processing and dissemination. The two main UK facilities are the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the Earth Observation Data Centre (EODC).