Investigate and document the use of a space systems reference architecture to assess if and how IT meets the U.S. Mission objectives for voluntary consensus standards to support industry growth, lower…

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), under its Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards program (CFDA 11.609), awarded a $199,708 Cooperative Agreement to the Space Infrastructure Foundation, Inc. on September 1, 2025, with completion expected by August 31, 2026. This award funds research to investigate and document the application of a space systems reference architecture—specifically the Reference Architecture for Space Data Systems Version 2 (RASDSV2)—to assess its alignment with U.S. mission objectives for voluntary consensus standards in the aerospace sector.

The primary deliverables include: (1) qualitative assessment of whether and how RASDSV2 is currently applied or could be utilized by the space community; (2) evaluation of RASDSV2's extensibility and scalability across different stakeholders; and (3) identification of standardization, integration, and future application opportunities within the space industry. The research will develop methods to explore harmonization and integration opportunities within space data standards development, with results intended to benefit standard-developing organizations, researchers, and industry stakeholders seeking to understand the practical value and implementation of voluntary consensus standards for space systems, space situational awareness, and space traffic management applications.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to investigate and document the use of a space systems reference architecture to assess if and how IT meets the U.S. Mission objectives for voluntary consensus standards to support industry growth, lower trade barriers, and enable self-regulation within regulatory frameworks. This award will be funded by the NOAA office of space commerce in cooperation with NIST to understand the aerospace sector's use of voluntary consensus standards development and use for space situational awareness and space traffic management.

Activities

1. Determine whether, and in what qualitative ways, a reference architecture for space is currently applied or could be utilized by the space community. 2. Provide qualitative insights into the practical use and benefits of RASDSV2 across different stakeholders by evaluating the extensibility and scalability of RASDSV2.3. Shape questions for opportunities in standardization, integration, and future applications within the space industry.

Expected outcomes

The researchers will develop and use a method to explore opportunities for harmonization and integration within space data standards development, and its applicability to mission and project design teams in development and operations. Specifically, they will fill the need to understand the current use of a reference architecture for space data systems by assessing how this standard, which is a voluntary consensus standard, is meeting critical mission united states objectives for voluntary consensus standards to support industry growth, lower trade barriers, and enable self-regulation within regulatory frameworks.

Intended beneficiaries

The results generated from this research can be used by researchers assessing the value of voluntary consensus standards for space systems. The results will support standard developing organizations and the sectors they support in learning about how voluntary consensus standards are being used.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.