Distribution of operational NPOESS Preparatory Program (NPP) data to serve the NOAA real-time and research communities begins upstream with the research to operations transition process initiated at the Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). In addition to the integration of scientific algorithms into the NPOESS Data Exploitation (NDE) operational system, 2011 has brought the mission calibration and validation (cal/val) responsibilities to STAR. To support developmental and cal/val, STAR has become fully engaged in the data management and steward activities to ensure that NPP data is conveyed and validated properly as soon as feasible following the 25 October launch date. Three vital aspects have been of crucial significance in 2011 to prepare for NPP: data flow and coordinating networking issues, archival processes, and finally internal infrastructure. Data flow and infrastructure solutions center on accurately scoping the data volumes, transfer rates and sources. Archival interactions include redefining the data submission agreement process and documentation, explicitly defining data nuances including a full implementation of a CF-compliant file-level metadata in netCDF4 output file headers and a standardized file naming convention. Additional data management issues will be addressed in the coming months as NPP launches.