User Requirements

The capabilities, enumerated during the Planetary Data Workshop, which the ideal Planetary Data System (PDS) should provide to its users are summarized. System design and implementation activities must take into account that all requirements do not carry the same weight. While some system requirements are essential and must be met early, other requirements are of a less immediate nature and can be implemented during later stages of development. Some requirements may be determined to be not essential to the operation of a PDS or impractical, and then not considered for implementation. It is assumed, that the PDS implementation will be modular in architecture and accomplishment. The modular plan is supported by many potential benefits in that it: simplifies the design and planning activities; improves the ability to respond to the changing demands of the user community; permits incorporation of emerging technologies; and allows the implementation to remain flexible in the face of fluctuating resources.