The Space Network Interoperability Panel (SNIP) is a tripartite cooperative study that involves the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA), and the European Space Agency (ESA). The SNIP was established to coordinate the activities of the three organizations to explore and evaluate technical options for Interoperability of the three agencies Data Relay Satellite (DRS) Systems (see SNIP Organization).

The study is broken down into two parts:

• Phase 1 - S-band (2 Ghz) Interoperability
• Phase 2 - Ka-band (23/26 Ghz) Interoperability (In addition to S-band)

SNIP started in 1985 with a series of bilateral talks between NASA, ESA, and NASDA. In 1987 the SNIP formed a working group to define and study operations concepts and technical subjects to assure compatibility of the international data relay systems. Since that time a number of panel and working group meetings have been held to continue the study. In addition a number of technical proof of concept activities have been conducted to demonstrate interoperable compatibility, functionality and operational methods.

SNIP Acronym List.

Flight Dynamics Product Center .

Communication Link Analysis Simulation Systems (CLASS)

Space Network Interoperability PN Code Libraries - contact Frank Stocklin (301) 286-6339 or Ronna Brockdorff (301) 809-2269 for access.

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