SNIP History

Beginning in 1985, NASA, ESA and NASDA affirmed their mutual interests in exploring and evaluating possible technical options for Interoperability among the respective national/regional Space Network Systems. Accordingly, the responsible program offices of NASA, ESA and NASDA agreed that it was mutually desirable to establish the Space Network Interoperability Panel (SNIP) to coordinate the activities of the three parties during the exploratory phase.

In 1987 the SNIP formed a Working Group (SNIPWG) to define and study operations concepts and technical feasibility to assure compatibility of the international data relay systems. Since that time a number of panel and working group meetings have been held to further the study.

Accomplishments:

• Signed tripartite terms of reference
• Developed and signed a tripartite operations concept
• Developed and signed a tripartite S-band Parameters Agreement
• Signed a top managers agreement
• Developed and signed tripartite test outlines
• Developed bilateral Interoperability test plans and procedures
• Conducted successful bilateral tests between NASA-NASDA
• Conducted successful bilateral tests between NASA-ESA
• Conducted successful bilateral tests between NASDA-ESA
• Reached Tripartite agreement on Ka-Band frequency 23/26 Ghz
• Initiated Ka-Band RF Parameter Discussions