ISO 23041:2007

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 23041
First edition
2007-11-15

Space systems — Unmanned spacecraft
operational procedures — Documentation
Systèmes spatiaux — Procédures opérationnelles de véhicule spatial
non habité — Documentation




Reference number
ISO 23041:2007(E)
©
ISO 2007

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ISO 23041:2007(E)
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions. 1
3 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 2
4 Documentation. 3
4.1 General preparations. 3
4.2 Space operation handbook. 4
4.3 Classified material/document. 14
4.4 Abbreviated checklists and step-by-step procedures. 14
Annex A (informative) The operational documentation tree and procedure. 17
Annex B (informative) Mission checklist (MCL) . 22
Bibliography . 26

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ISO 23041:2007(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 23041 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 20, Aircraft and space vehicles, Subcommittee
SC 14, Space systems and operations.
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
Introduction
This International Standard prescribes a standard means to facilitate the sharing and exchange of beneficial
information among organizations (the spacecraft manufacturer, the mission equipment supplier, the customer
or the spacecraft operation centre) and their involvement with space operations and support. This
International Standard provides a common interface to simplify space operations planning and reduce the
effort needed to learn and deal with new space programmes and support organizations.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 23041:2007(E)

Space systems — Unmanned spacecraft operational
procedures — Documentation
1 Scope
This International Standard establishes standards, current guidelines and uniform procedures to minimize
duplication of effort between the customer, the agency, participating nations and the emerging commercial
space community. This International Standard provides recommended practices for the development of space
operations and support documentation, which should facilitate the sharing and exchange of beneficial
information between organizations involved with space operations. This International Standard establishes a
common interface to simplify space operations planning and reduce the effort needed to learn and work with
new space programmes and support organizations.
2 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1
abbreviated checklist
comprehensive list of items and time schedule of tasks to be done that are needed to check each step-by-step
task at the telemetry/command (TLM/CMD) console and at the network console
2.2
acquiring agency
organization that is planning and managing the development and acquisition contracts for the space system,
understands the engineering and technical aspects of the system’s operation and acts as a provider of
particular equipment if necessary
2.3
customer
organization that uses the system under contract to the acquiring agency for a particular space system and
acts as provider of particular mission equipment if necessary
2.4
developing agency
organization that develops the spacecraft and operation system under contract to the acquiring agency
NOTE One organization may constitute more than one of these agencies.
2.5
mission segment
ground system that consists of the facilities of mission data acquisition and processing
2.6
operations agency
agency responsible for the operations and maintenance of the space systems and organization to which the
operations crew members belong
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
2.7
operations crew members
personnel who will be using the operations handbook to support space systems
2.8
separate and distinctive checklist
list that contains information to compensate the part of the operation facilities peculiar to the operations
agency
2.9
spacecraft operation handbook
handbook that includes information needed for normal and contingent TLM/CMD operations
2.10
space system
system consisting of a space segment that includes a launch segment and a spacecraft segment and a
ground segment that includes a tracking control segment and a mission segment
2.11
tracking control segment
ground system consisting of the facilities of spacecraft tracking, ranging and telemetry (TLM) monitor and
command (CMD) control
NOTE The launch segment includes the pre-launch segment, the spacecraft segment includes the mission segment
and the ground segment includes the facilities and operations handbook.
2.12
space system operation
operation that contains launch segment operation, spacecraft segment operation and tracking control segment
operation
NOTE The launch segment operation includes pre-launch segment operation and the spacecraft segment operation
includes the mission phase segment and the post-mission phase segment.
3 Symbols and abbreviated terms
AOCS attitude and orbit control subsystem
AOS acquisition of signal
BB base band
CMD command
EL elevation angle
FCP flight control procedure
FDIR fault detection, isolation and reconfiguration
GCP ground segment control procedure
IOT in-orbit test
LEOP launch and early orbit phase
LOS loss of signal
MCL mission (operation) checklist
OBC onboard computer
OBDH onboard data handling unit
OBS onboard computer software
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
PS power subsystem
RF radio frequency
SOE sequence of events
SOP satellite operation procedure
STR structure
TCS thermal control subsystem
TLM telemetry
TTC tracking, telemetry and command subsystem
4 Documentation
4.1 General preparations
4.1.1 General
Unless otherwise specified, the operation handbook and checklists shall include a reproducible copy in a
digital format specified by the acquiring agency. If the magnitude of the information to be included in the
operation handbook is such that a single volume is not practical, then more than one volume may be used to
provide the material. The operation handbook shall contain a revision record when the document is changed
or revised.
4.1.2 Arrangement of material
The document shall contain a main table of contents. At the beginning of each clause, there shall be a
subsidiary clause table of contents. The clause table of contents shall include the page number and title of
each subclause or major subject headings.
When classified or proprietary information (needed for operation handbook) is involved, the same principles
established for the treatment of the main table of contents shall be followed. The main table of contents shall
contain numbers and titles of clauses with their initial page numbers, but shall not contain any classified or
proprietary information.
EXAMPLE Operation crew members sometimes need detailed classified or proprietary design information of
spacecraft for troubleshooting.
Space operation handbooks are normally unclassified. If the space system classification guide identifies the
subjects as classified by the space systems operation crew members requirements, in accordance with
current classification standards and for these classified subjects, the operation agency shall prepare a
separate classified handbook or a classified supplement of the basic handbook.
The heading of the first or introductory paragraph of each clause shall be general in nature to facilitate
including information concerning the main subject. Subordinate headings shall be definitive and identify the
principal item that needs to be covered.
Wherever practical, text shall be simplified and decreased in quantity by the use of complementary artwork. All
technical matter shall be written so that it is understandable by all personnel who are expected to use the
handbook.
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
4.1.3 Illustration
The operation handbook shall contain the following illustrations:
a) general illustrations depicting the space system configuration;
b) illustrations to show clearly the layout of the space operations centre, including separate
emergency/contingency facilities where applicable;
c) sufficient other illustrations and diagrams to show the major panels, cabinets, consoles, related
equipment, etc. that the space operations crew personnel will use for operations;
d) sufficient diagrams, charts, schematics, etc. to depict the function, control and interrelationship of
significant space system equipment.
Abbreviations, symbols, reference designations and colour coding references used in the space operations
handbook shall also be specified, where applicable.
4.2 Space operation handbook
4.2.1 General
The space operation handbook shall provide the following:
a) General description of the space system giving the purpose, main features and particulars of the space
system and supporting facilities [satellite segment, structure (STR), attitude and orbit control subsystem
(AOCS), thermal control subsystem (TCS), tracking, telemetry and command subsystem (TTC), power
subsystem (PS), payload communications subsystem and payload subsystem]; and a ground segment
description giving both general and detailed information, including electrical power subsystem,
environmental control subsystem, auxiliary equipment, communications, pre-launch segment, launch
segment and mission life segment.
b) Operating functions giving general information, including the process and functional explanations,
operations centre security procedures, changeover procedures, status and fault monitoring, activity
coordination procedures, safety procedures, operations centre inspections and system test procedures,
communications equipment procedures, ground system procedures, mission planning procedures,
mission execution procedures and post-mission procedures.
c) Mission operating procedures giving detailed information and defining individual and crew responsibilities.
d) Segment contingency procedures giving troubleshooting guidelines and remedial actions.
e) Operating limitations giving a description of specific limitations.
f) Ground segment emergency procedures giving detailed emergency operations procedures and corrective
action.
g) Crew duties and responsibilities giving the individual positions and duties required during nominal and
off-nominal operations.
h) Vocabulary giving technical terms, definitions, acronyms and abbreviations.
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
4.2.2 Overview
4.2.2.1 Front material
Front material shall include the bulleted list items in Figure 1. The cover/title page, list of effective pages,
verification status sheets, table of contents, list of illustrations and list of tables shall be similar to the format of
this recommended practice with details for preparation at the discretion of the acquiring agency.
NOTE The list of effective pages contains the revision of each page and revised date; the verification status sheets
contain the stage of the document (i.e. WD, CD, review) and approved date.
The foreword shall discuss the various aspects of the operation handbook. Such discussion shall include the
scope of the operation handbook and indicate the technical proficiency expected of the various space
operations crew personnel. The foreword shall also indicate special interest items, e.g. new development
items and critical operation items.
4.2.2.2 Requirements for clauses
Each operation handbook shall include the clauses listed in Figure 1. Additional clauses may be added if
required. If a clause is not applicable, the title of that clause shall appear on the last page of the previous
clause along with a notation that the clause is not applicable or that information will appear when it becomes
available. The title of the clause shall appear in the main table of contents with an appropriate notation.
As appropriate, each clause shall have separate sections for information pertaining to satellite support during
a) pre-launch period,
b) launch early orbit,
c) operations in nominal mode,
d) operations in degraded mode (period when the satellite is no longer fully operational but is still on orbit),
and
e) post-mission phase (satellite end-of-life process).
The format for the presentation of the text, the amplified procedures and the abbreviated checklists shall be at
the discretion of the acquiring agency. The format shall present the crew procedures in a simple, concise and
understandable layout, consistent with space system requirements. For systems using digitized technical data,
the visual template and the text shall be formatted so the screen presentation will be identical to the printed
data.
If the operations agency does not require a printed page of the visual display, the visual display format shall
comply with the style and format of a printed page. Each page of the emergency procedures clause shall have
dialogue box and icon markings on all pages. An example is shown in Figure 2.
Warning marks and contingent check segments shall be selected by the operation agency.
Where possible, amplified procedures and checklists developed for a particular space system shall be
standardized.

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ISO 23041:2007(E)

      Front material
      •  Cover/title page
      •  List of effective pages
      •  Verification status sheets
      •  Table of contents
      •  List of illustrations
      •  List of tables
      •  Foreword
      Clause 1 Space system description
      Clause 2 Space system operating functions
      Clause 3 Mission operating procedures
      Clause 4 Space segment contingency procedures
      Clause 5 Operating limitations
      Clause 6 Ground segment emergency procedures
      Clause 7 Crew duties and responsibilities
      Clause 8 Vocabulary

Figure 1 — Standard sequence for space operation handbook


Figure 2 — Visual display page of an emergency procedure
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
4.2.3 Space system description (Clause 1 of handbook)
4.2.3.1 General
Clause 1 shall consist of a system description and a description of supporting facilities designed for general
orientation. The narrative shall state the purpose and describe the main features and leading particulars for
the space system.
The descriptions of system and supporting facilities shall contain sufficient detail to provide a single source
handbook of general system information. Illustrations shall clarify a particular system or reduce the verbiage
necessary for explanation and aid in understanding the system. Clause 1 shall consist of several subclauses:
satellite segment description, ground segment description, pre-launch segment description, launch segment
description and the mission life segment (including the post-mission phase and the reduced operation phase).
The satellite developing agency (i.e. satellite manufacturer) shall provide the documentation, i.e. satellite
operational handbook (SOOH). By extracting the needed information from SOOH and other sources, the
operation agency shall provide FCPs (see example in Table A.2).
4.2.3.2 Satellite segment
4.2.3.2.1 General
A general description of the satellite segment shall include the following subsystems: structure; attitude and
orbit control; thermal control; tracking, telemetry and command; power; payload/mission communication;
payload; and OBDH. Subsequent clauses shall describe in greater detail the subsystems peculiar to that
satellite segment. Such information shall include a general discussion of satellite segment operations to
include a description of major subsystems. The description shall be of sufficient detail to provide an
understanding of the purpose and function of the subsystems, their relation to overall system operations and
such additional information to enable the crew member to understand subsystem functions peculiar to the
overall system. Highly complex satellite segments may require a stand-alone satellite segment operations
handbook. Illustrations shall be used to simplify the explanation of system interrelation and component
function. Separate appendices or handbooks shall describe, as needed, each of the satellite segment
subsystems, depending on the volume of the telemetry and command material provided.
4.2.3.2.2 Structure subsystem (STR)
The STR information shall include a description of the structural components with dimensions and particular
data concerning component locations, plus the location of other subsystems, if necessary, to afford a better
understanding of the satellite construction.
4.2.3.2.3 Attitude and orbit control subsystem (AOCS)
The AOCS information shall include a brief description of the purpose and type of attitude control and give a
more detailed description of the components and their respective functions, including sensor unit, regulator
unit and actuator unit (which includes the thrusting unit). Illustrations shall be used to simplify the explanation
of system interrelations and component functions.
4.2.3.2.4 Thermal control subsystem (TCS)
The TCS information shall include a description of the environmental control systems, list the type of controls
employed (i.e. active or passive) and give sufficient detail on the operations and configuration of the
environmental control components to provide an understanding of system operations. Illustrations shall be
used to simplify the explanation of system interrelations and component functions (e.g. heater, radiator).
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
4.2.3.2.5 Tracking, telemetry and command subsystem (TTC)
The TTC information shall include a description of the antenna unit, radio frequency (RF) unit, tracking and
ranging unit, base band (BB) unit/telemetry (TLM) command (CMD) and control systems, command groups,
individual command sequences and type and individual telemetry data. The TTC shall give sufficient detail on
operations and configuration of command and control components to provide understanding of the system
operations. Illustrations shall be used to simplify the explanation of system interrelations and component
functions.
4.2.3.2.6 Power subsystem (PS)
The PS information shall include a description of the power system, distribution system, storage system,
power control and sufficient detail on operations and configuration of power system components to provide an
understanding of the system operations. Illustrations shall be used to simplify the explanation of system
interrelations and component functions.
4.2.3.2.7 Payload/mission communication subsystem
The payload/mission communication subsystem information shall include a description of the payload/mission
communication subsystem (antenna unit, RF unit) and its function with operational configuration.
4.2.3.2.8 Payload subsystem
The payload subsystem information shall include a description of the payload subsystem, mission sensors,
data formatting, data recording and data playback control processors. Sufficient detail on operations and
configuration of payload subsystem components shall provide an understanding of system operations.
Illustrations shall explain the simplified system interrelations and component functions.
4.2.3.2.9 Onboard data handling unit (OBDH)
The OBDH information shall include a description and configuration of the OBC and OBS that provides an
understanding of system operations and the following functions:
a) TTC, payload data handling (i.e. data formatting for packet/de-packet);
b) satellite attitude data processing (i.e. satellite attitude error check and regulation);
c) FDIR for satellite safety and survivability (i.e. error source detection and recovery; prevents drain on
satellite electronic power resource, satellite attitude missing);
d) automatic, autonomous and robotic data processing for payload mission operation.
The illustrations shall explain the simplified system interrelations of each function and related subsystems.
4.2.3.3 Ground segment
4.2.3.3.1 General
A general description of the ground segment (which includes facilities and operations handbook) shall include
the physical layout, with location and function of mission data processing, data archive, telemetry data
processing, radar subsystems, ground sensors, recorder subsystems, security, personnel access and power
systems. Detailed discussions shall include the data processor, data storage, telemetry processor, data
switching, external interfaces, antenna/array, transmitter, receiver and associated support equipment required
for system configuration as they support space operations crew member operations. Highly complex ground
systems can require a stand-alone ground system operations manual. Illustrations shall explain the simplified
system interrelations and component functions.
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ISO 23041:2007(E)
The ground segment developing agency (i.e. ground segment manufacturer) shall provide the ground
segment operational manuals (see Table A.3) and the operation agency shall provide the ground segment
procedures (GSP, see Tables A.3 and A.4), operation agency’s operation crew and/or operation teams.
4.2.3.3.2 Electrical power subsystem
A description of the electrical power subsystem shall include normal, standby, emergency and uninterruptible
power sources, with a description of distribution components, switch gear and power-generating equipment.
4.2.3.3.3 Environmental control subsystem
A description of the environmental control subsystem shall include the environmental control subsystem for
the space operations centre and equipment areas, and a general description of the heating and ventilating
equipment and associated maintenance support equipment. A description shall include the equipment
interface with the alarm and detector system.
4.2.3.3.4 Auxiliary equipment
A description of the auxiliary equipment shall include equipment that is required by the operator to perform
other subsystem functions, such as fire detection/suppression, environmental sensing and security detection.
4.2.3.3.5 Communications
A description of the communications systems shall include, but not be limited to, higher authority, payload
communication control and payload data process, tracking, telemetry and command control, secure/non-
secure voice, secure/non-secure data, multiplexing/de-multiplexing systems and inter-site, intercom and
administrative communications systems. A description shall address any crew activity regarding normal,
emergency, or malfunction operations in the applicable clause. Highly complex communications systems can
require a stand-alone communications system operations handbook. Illustrations shall explain simplified
system interrelations and component functions.
4.2.3.4 Pre-launch segment
The pre-launch segment shall provide information consistent with what operations personnel need to know for
the type of pre-launch phase support needed. Information shall also include the ground segment schedule, the
work with an overview of the pre-launch event sequence and the constraints resulting from the pre-launch
ground segment test (i.e. data system test with database verification) and the interface test between space
segments (i.e. radio frequency and base band compatibility test and the data interface test).
4.2.3.5 Launch segment
The launch segment shall provide information consistent with what operations personnel need to know for the
type of launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) support needed. Information shall also include an overview of the
launch sequence plus telemetry, boost phase programmed events and other launch phase items as
appropriate. If information needed by operations personnel and provided in the preceding satellite segment
and ground segment sections is different during the launch phase, those differences shall be identified in this
clause as appropriate.
4.2.3.6 Mission life segment
The mission life segment shall describe the in-orbit test (IOT) phase, the mission phase and post-mission
phase operations. In the mission phase the operations agency executes every mission duty operation and in
the post-mission phase the operations agency executes degraded mode operations. This clause shall provide
information consistent with what operations personnel need to know for the type of mission phase support and
post-mission phase support needed. If post-mission phase support is to be provided, information shall include
an overview of the post-mission operation with operation items and time limits.
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