Results from the recent Interoperability Plenary-3, and the implications on future interoperability for global space communications and operations architectures

Abstract

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.