Brian is a Supervisory Computer Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center and is the Project Manager for the Landsat Next and Satellite Cross-Calibration Radiometer Projects.
Brian has worked at USGS EROS for nearly 25 years with his first 10 years as a contractor. Brian has been in several roles over the years, most recently as the Landsat 9 project manager, taking Landsat 9 through development, on-orbit verification, and into initial operations. Previously, Brian was the mission manager for Landsat Operations which included activities such as managing Landsat ground and flight operations, web-enabling Landsat Data (aka, free and open Landsat data), and leading Landsat product improvements.
Professional Experience
2021 – Present: USGS Landsat Next Project Manager
2022 – Present: USGS Satellite Cross-Calibration Radiometer Project Manager
2019 – 2021: Acting USGS EROS New Mission Branch Chief
2017 – 2022: USGS Landsat 9 Project Manager
2009 – 2017: USGS Mission Management Officer, Landsat Operations
2008 – 2009: USGS Landsat Data Continuity Data Processing and Archive Systems Engineer
1998 – 2008: Contractor to the USGS; Various duties including project management, systems engineering, software development, and chief architect
Education and Certifications
2001: Masters in Management of Information Systems, Dakota State University
1995: Bachelors in Computer Science, Augustana University
1989: Associates in Electronics Technology, Lake Area Technical College
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate
FAC-P/PM Certificate
Honors and Awards
DOI Honor Award for Superior Service, June 2021
EROS Employee of the Quarter Senior, Q3 2022
EROS Employee of the Quarter Senior, Q2 2021
Science and Products
Landsat 9: Ready for Launch
Analysis ready data: Enabling analysis of the Landsat archive
Science and Products
- Publications
Landsat 9: Ready for Launch
Landsat 9 is in its final preparations for launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on 16 September 2021. It has completed its environmental testing at Northrop Grumman Space (NGSP) in Gilbert, Arizona and has been transported to its California launch site. It will be launched into a 705 km orbit replacing Landsat 7 to provide 8-day Earth land mass coverage in concert with Landsat 8. Landsat 8 carrAuthorsBrian Markham, Cody Anderson, Michael J. Choate, Christopher J. Crawford, Del Jenstrom, Jeff Masek, Jeffery Pedelty, Brian Sauer, Kurtis ThomeAnalysis ready data: Enabling analysis of the Landsat archive
Data that have been processed to allow analysis with a minimum of additional user effort are often referred to as Analysis Ready Data (ARD). The ability to perform large scale Landsat analysis relies on the ability to access observations that are geometrically and radiometrically consistent, and have had non-target features (clouds) and poor quality observations flagged so that they can be excludeAuthorsJohn L. Dwyer, David P. Roy, Brian Sauer, Calli B. Jenkerson, Hankui K. Zhang, Leo Lymburner - Multimedia
- News