Standardizing Navigation Data : A Status Update

This paper presents the work of the Navigation Working Group of the Consultative
Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) on development of standards addressing the
transfer of orbit, attitude and tracking data for space objects. Much progress has been
made since the initial presentation of the standards in 2004, including the progression of the
orbit data standard to an accepted standard, and the near completion of the attitude and
tracking data standards. The orbit, attitude and tracking standards attempt to address
predominant parameterizations for their respective data, and create a message format that
enables communication of the data across space agencies and other entities. The messages
detailed in each standard are built upon a keyword = value paradigm, where a fixed list of
keywords is provided in the standard where users specify information about their data, and
also use keywords to encapsulate their data. The paper presents a primer on the CCSDS
standardization process to put in context the state of the message standards, and the
parameterizations supported in each standard, then shows examples of these standards for
orbit, attitude and tracking data. Finalization of the standards is expected by the end of
calendar year 2007.