Advanced orbiting systems - A standard architecture for space data communications

The standard data handling service architecture developed by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems is discussed. Special attention is given to the communications protocols that are recommended for the networked transfer of space mission data, with emphasis on the unique requirements of transmitting many different data types through the weak-signal noisy space channels at high rates (up to many hundreds of megabits per second). A user service model of a typical space mission data flow configuration, known as the 'pipe diagram', is described in detail.