Spacecraft Database Standardisation: an Omg Initiative

In July 2001, the Space Domain Task Force of the Object Management Group (OMG) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on Telemetric and Command Data Specification. This RFP solicited proposals that define telemetry and commanding data specifications in support of all phases of the satellite, payload, and ground segment lifecycle: system design, development, test, validation, and mission operations. In fact, telemetry and commanding data design is still often performed multiple times in multiple formats by multiple contractors during the lifecycle of the satellite, well before the satellite is ever deployed for mission operations. Standardisation of telemetry and commanding data descriptions for spacecraft health and safety monitoring, as well as payload interfaces, will reduce the cost of these implementations and decrease the development schedule, integration, and test of the satellite and its component systems. A common, adaptable specification can also be used to support multiple heterogeneous missions, facilitating interoperability among ground control systems, simulators, testing facilities, etc. Three proposals were received by the OMG in response to the above RFP. These proposals were submitted by the European Space Agency (ESA), Boeing and Lockheed Martin. All proposals were based on the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) [9-12] but were embedded in the current "modus operandi" of their respective organisations. Despite the organizational and functional differences (packet telemetry vs TDM), it was decided to merge forces and to aim at a single submission that would cover the three approaches. Both NASA/GSFC and JPL supported this goal and agreed to actively contribute to this to ensure that NASA requirements were also addressed. This paper presents