One common problem when working with satellite images is the gap between cutting edge algorithms available in the literature and methods which are available in production software. Constraints on production are often strong and do not cope well with research algorithms. To help a faster transfer of the new algorithms to real production situations a strong and robust software architecture is required. One of the main objectives of the Orfeo Toolbox (OTB) is to provide such a framework to help the scalability of newly implemented algorithms and relieving (at least partially) the researcher from such concerns. OTB is valuable for all people working in the remote sensing imagery community. Releasing it under an open source license, CNES (French Space Agency) hopes to benefit from contributions of many specialists to help grow the practical use of satellite imagery. The first feedback has been very positive and open source development seems to be particularly suitable to increase the usability of cutting-edge algorithms.