IOP Goal
To reach multi-agency agreement on the need for interoperable space communications and navigation architectures.
Accordingly, member agencies would provide space communications and navigation resources for interoperable cross support to member agency spaceflight missions, including human, near Earth, Lunar, and deep space missions, as mutually agreed.
Interoperability Plenary (IOP) Objectives
- As an intergovernmental and international activity, address joint space communications and navigation.
- To broaden the cross support, compatibility, and interoperability agreement reached at IOP-1, particularly in regard to missions to the Moon and Mars.
Interoperability Plenary Meeting
The UK Space Agency hosted IOP-5 on 20-22 June, 2023 in London, England.
Previous IOP Meetings
DLR hosted IOP-4 on 18-20 December, 2018 in Munich, Germany.
CNES hosted IOP-3 on 25-26 June, 2013 in Toulouse, France.
NASA hosted IOP-2 on 8-10 December, 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland.
ESA hosted IOP-1 meeting in June 1999 in Paris, France.
Meetings
| Meeting | Dates | Conference Location | Host Agency | Communique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOP 5 | 20-23 June, 2023 | London, England | UK Space Agency | IOP-5-Final-Communique.pdf |
| IOP 4 | 18-20 December, 2018 | Munich, Germany | DLR | IOP-4-Final-Communique.pdf |
| IOP 3 | 25-26 June, 2013 | Toulouse, France | CNES | IOP-3-Final-Communique.pdf |
| IOP 2 | 8-10 December, 2008 | Geneva, Switzerland | NASA | IOP-2-Final-Communique.pdf |
| IOP 1 | June 1999 | Paris, France | ESA | IOP1-MINUTES.pdf |
IOP Origins
The Interoperability Plenary Meeting was held at ESA Headquarters on 21-22 June 1999. During the 1 1/2 day meeting, representatives from seven international space agencies met to discuss and agree on the need for increased interoperability and the method for its implementation. Prior to the Plenary meeting, a survey and individual discussions had determined that the focus should be ground system interoperability.
The Agenda provided an opportunity for each agency to report:
- Past interoperability mission experience – both positive and negative.
- The need for interoperability in the context of that agency’s future missions.
- The specific assets of the agency to be made interoperable.
- Current status and plans to implement interoperable standards.
Early in these summary presentations, it became apparent that this group’s common goal was to establish ground system interoperability with other agencies at the earliest feasible time. The remainder of the time was spent in determining how best to achieve that goal.