The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program was formed about three ago by NASA in order to create an integrated space communications and tracking capability for the Agency. Previously, the three major space communications networks were managed largely independently with relatively low levels of reuse of developments and varying levels of common approaches, processes, tools, and standards utilized across them. This network specific approach has served the Agency well for nearly fifty years; however, as NASA moves into the next decade of space operation, the Agency is striving to do more within a constrained budget. In order to achieve the vision for an integrated network for NASA missions, a team was chartered in March 2008 to develop an integrated architecture roadmap. The architecture developed provides for a scalable capability which provides: an integrated service-based architecture; space internetworking throughout the solar system; International interoperability; assured safety and security of missions; and significant increases in bandwidth. The architecture makes extensive use of new technologies such as optical communications, Delay Tolerant Networking, software defined radios as well as utilization of extended high rate Ka-band communications and international standards. A logical roadmap was developed to implement the architecture with numerous key Architecture Decision Points to ensure that new technologies are mature enough to phase into operations, as well as to select appropriate capacities to meet mission needs. This paper will provide an overview of the architecture, its key attributes, and the roadmap to implement the new vision.

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I. AbstractIn June of 1999, the senior space operations leadership of seven space agencies met at European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters to discuss steps which could be taken to facilitate international space operations strategic planning, including interoperability, which would result in more effective and efficient utilization of combined agency resources. Out of that first Interoperability Plenary (IOP-1) the Interagency Operations Advisory Group (IOAG) was chartered. The IOAG has been meeting at least annually since 2000, and it has established effective liaisons with key enabling groups for interoperability, including the Consultative Committee on Space Data Systems (CCSDS), Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG), and International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG) and most recently the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG). The IOAG has increased to eight member and four observer members over the years. In May 2013, the IOAG held its 17th meeting to prepare for the IOP-3, which was held in June 2013. The IOAG has a long list of accomplishments from its first decade of operation, which were the subject of a paper at a past SpaceOps conference. This paper will summarize IOAG's recent work with CCSDS, SFCG, ICG, and ISECG; as well as its study groups focused on space internetworking, optical communications, mission operations, and use of 26 GHz to prepare for the IOP-3. It will further discuss the decisions made by top leaders of the member agencies at the IOP-3 and their implications for future interoperable global space communications and operations architectures. Finally, future work plans for the IOAG and contributing liaisons to execute the IOP-3 decisions and to prepare for IOP-4 will be covered.

Planetary missions travel vast distances in the Solar System for valuable scientific exploration. Spacecraft return data to Earth via radio links that suffer power losses inversely proportional to the square of the distance, which forms a tremendous engineering challenge compounded by relatively low onboard transmitter power, typically 20 Watts at X-band (~8 GHz). Deep space missions are enabled only because leading space agencies invested in developing very large communications antennas as well as provided a sophisticated suite of tracking, telemetry and command standard services. NASA's Deep Space Network and ESA's ESTRACK network are distributed geographically to provide global coverage and utilize stations ranging in size from 34 meters to 70 meters in diameter. Over time, the expanding number of missions, increased requirements for redundancy during critical events as well as the drive for improved navigation accuracy via long-baseline interferometric techniques, increased the networks' loading and strongly motivated collaboration between the two agencies. Ten years ago, NASA and ESA established a cross-support agreement in addition to multiple on-going mission-specific agreements to meet this need. This strategic partnership was enabled by the development of international inter-operability technical standards and compatible spectrum usage. Over recent years, many critical events were supported via these agreements and some scientific breakthroughs were enabled. A multi-nation tracking contention period envisioned in the near future will also benefit from this partnership. Due to its success over the last decade, the DSN-ESTRACK partnership is serving as a model for other agencies with deep space communication facilities and similar interest. This paper reviews the benefits and lessons learned from collaborative deep space exploration, especially via communications networks, and discusses the potential implementation of similar NASA agreements with other space agencies.