The Space DTF encourages the use of OMG specifications in order to create standards in the space technology field. In particular, it encourages the development and use of Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA®)-based space, satellite and ground system domain software components, thereby growing the object technology market. It also encourages the use of the Unified Modeling Language (UML®) to describe the architectures of their distributed systems in a standard way.

The XML Telemetric & Command Exchange (XTCE) is one of the major standards that the task force has worked on. XTCE is an Extensible Markup Language-based exchange format for spacecraft telemetry and command meta-data. During the entire ground system-developmental and operational phases of a mission, telemetry and tele-command definitions may be exchanged between multiple systems. Without a standard format, databases need dedicated converters to translate between the various proprietary database formats and editors. Allowing for a common database exchange format throughout the entire mission lifecycle significantly reduces the cost of database conversions that occur in many space projects. More recently, the task force has been working towards the adoption of a subset of XTCE focused primarily on US-based space mission’s needs: the XTCE US Government Satellite Conformance Profile.

The Space DTF has also been instrumental in the adoption of the Ground Equipment Monitoring Service (GEMS) -which focuses on standardizing the model for device control and defines simple protocols that will reduce system integration costs- as well as the Satellite Operations Language Metamodel (SOLM) - which provides for interchange of spacecraft operations procedures between organizations and ground systems.

Future specifications on the horizon for the Space DTF include a Display Exchange specification and an Operations Archive Model specification.

For more information, be sure to check out the Space DTF wiki-page.  If you’re interested in joining the task force or would like to contribute, you may email the chairs, Brad Kizzort or Rob Andzik.