XTCE (for XML Telemetric and Command Exchange) is an

XML Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a markup language and file format for storing, transmitting, and reconstructing data. It defines a set of rules for encoding electronic document, documents in a format that is both human-readable and Machine-r ...

based

data exchange Data exchange is the process of taking data structured under a ''source'' schema and transforming it into a ''target'' schema, so that the target data is an accurate representation of the source data. Data exchange allows data to be shared between ...

format for

spacecraft A spacecraft is a vehicle that is designed spaceflight, to fly and operate in outer space. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including Telecommunications, communications, Earth observation satellite, Earth observation, Weather s ...

telemetry Telemetry is the in situ collection of measurements or other data at remote points and their automatic transmission to receiving equipment (telecommunication) for monitoring. The word is derived from the Greek roots ''tele'', 'far off', an ...

and command

meta-data Metadata (or metainformation) is "data that provides information about other data", but not the content of the data itself, such as the text of a message or the image itself. There are many distinct types of metadata, including: * Descriptive ...

. Usin
XTCE
the format and content of a space systems command and telemetry links can be readily exchanged between spacecraft operators and manufacturers. XTCE was originally standardized by the

OMG OMG may refer to: Abbreviations * ''Oh my God!'' (sometimes also ''Oh my Goodness!'' or ''Oh my Gosh!'') is a common abbreviation meaning shock or surprise, often used in SMS messages and Internet communications * OMG is the IATA code for Omega ...

. In April 2007 the OMG released revision 1.1 of XTCE as an OMG available specification
Version 1.0
of the XTCE specification is a CCSDSbr>green-book specification
and version 1.1 has been adopted as a CCSDSbr>blue-book specification

Overview

During the entire ground system development and operation phases of a mission, telemetry and telecommand definitions may be exchanged between multiple systems and organizations. Without a standard format, databases need dedicated converters to convert between the various proprietary database formats and editors. Allowing for a common database exchange format throughout the entire mission lifecycle will significantly reduce the cost of database conversions that occur in many space projects. XTCE has been developed as part of an international cooperation involving the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the United States's civil space program, aeronautics research and space research. Established in 1958, it su ...

, the

Jet Propulsion Laboratory The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a Federally funded research and development centers, federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) in La Cañada Flintridge, California, Crescenta Valley, United States. Founded in 1936 by Cali ...

, the

Goddard Space Flight Center The Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is a major NASA space research laboratory located approximately northeast of Washington, D.C., in Greenbelt, Maryland, United States. Established on May 1, 1959, as NASA's first space flight center, GSFC ...

, the

European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) is a 23-member International organization, international organization devoted to space exploration. With its headquarters in Paris and a staff of around 2,547 people globally as of 2023, ESA was founded in 1975 ...

, the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

and private industry including RT Logic, Harris, SciSys,

Boeing The Boeing Company, or simply Boeing (), is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product support s ...

and

Lockheed Martin The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American Arms industry, defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta on March 15, 1995. It is headquartered in North ...

. The standards development effort has been coordinated via the

Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems Consultation or consultative may refer to: * Public consultation, a process by which the public's input on matters affecting them is sought * Consultation (Texas), the 1835 Texas meeting of colonists on a proposed rebellion against the Republic of ...

and the

Object Management Group The Object Management Group (OMG®) is a computer industry Standards Development Organization (SDO), or Voluntary Consensus Standards Body (VCSB). OMG develops enterprise integration and modeling standards for a range of technologies. Busin ...

. The XML Telemetry and Command Exchange standard is now in active use as a means to exchange mission databases improving interoperability while reducing mission readiness costs.

External links

XTCE home

References

*AIAA conference -

SpaceOps SpaceOps (also referred to as the International Committee on Technical Interchange for Space Mission Operations and Ground Data Systems) is an international committee organisation formed in 1992 to "promote and maintain an international community ...

2006, The XTCE Standardization approach of Telemetry and Command Databases - The ESA example: https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203552/http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/CDReadyMSPOPS06_1317/PV2006_5582.pdf *AIAA conference -

2006, Exchanging Databases with Dissimilar Systems using CCSDS XTCE: https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203413/http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/CDReadyMSPOPS06_1317/PV2006_5801.pdf *CCSDS, MOIMS-SMC Working Group: http://cwe.ccsds.org/moims/docs/MOIMS-SMandC *GSAW conference - 2006, Exchanging Databases with Dissimilar Systems using CCSDS XTCE, https://web.archive.org/web/20060511171958/http://sunset.usc.edu:80/GSAW/gsaw2006/s2/merri.pdf *Aerospace Conference, 2004, XTCE: a standard XML-schema for describing mission operations databases *AIAA conference -

2006, A Model for a Spacecraft Operations Language, https://web.archive.org/web/20070929190020/http://www.rheagroup.com/AIAA-2006-5708-129.pdf
{{CCSDS Space standards XML Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems