Satellite test and operation procedures cost reduction through standardization

Rhea has been involved in the development, maintenance and execution of satellite test and operations procedures, both in manufacturing plants and operation environments ever since its founding in 1992. This paper describes how Rhea and ADGA are supporting ongoing standardization efforts within the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) and the Object Management Group (OMG) to enable the reduction in the costs associated with satellite procedures. The OMG and ECSS organizations have identified the problems that arise when transferring procedural data between organizations, be that satellite manufacturer to operator, instrument manufacturer to prime contractor, or satellite operators transferring control of satellites. This paper briefly discusses the problems inherent in procedural data transfer between organizations; the traditional one-off solutions previously used to facilitate this transfer; the advantages of a standard scripting language (SL), whilst allowing organizations to continue to use their current infrastructure; the barriers to the universal adoption of a standard; and potential solutions to those barriers. This paper also discusses the advantages of a standards-based approach in a highly regulated environment, such as that imposed by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).