ISO 19389-2014 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 19389-2014 — "Space data and information transfer systems — Conjunction data message". This International Standard defines a standardized message format (Conjunction Data Message, CDM) for exchanging information about close approaches (conjunctions) between space objects to enable consistent warning and decision-making by conjunction assessment originators and satellite owner/operators.

Abstract

ISO 19389:2014 specifies the CDM message content and format used to convey conjunction assessment results (for example miss distance, time of closest approach, probability of collision, and relative state/covariance). The standard is intended to facilitate interoperability, enable automation of conjunction-assessment workflows, and provide the critical data needed for timely collision-avoidance decisions. It addresses message structure and content but does not specify transmission methods or the algorithms used to produce the data.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: July 2014 (2014-07)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems and operations / space data and information transfer systems)
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2014)
• Number of pages: 62

Scope

Applies to satellite operations where close approaches and collisions are a concern. ISO 19389:2014 specifies the content and format of the Conjunction Data Message (CDM) used to convey conjunction-related information between conjunction-assessment originators and recipients (satellite owner/operators and authorized parties). The standard covers the message fields and optional keywords needed to represent event metadata, object identification, relative state and covariance, miss distance, probability of collision, Time of Closest Approach (TCA) and related metadata; it does not prescribe transmission protocols or the predictive algorithms used to generate the data.

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized CDM message structure and keywords for interchange of conjunction assessment data.
• Representation of critical fields: Time of Closest Approach (TCA), miss distance, probability of collision, relative position/velocity and covariances.
• Support for both manual and machine-to-machine (automated) exchange; self-contained message design with optional extensions via Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Requirements and criteria for message format design (informative annexes describe data elements and usage guidance).
• Scope limited to message content and format — algorithms for prediction and transmission mechanisms are explicitly out of scope.

Typical use and users

Primary users are satellite owner/operators, conjunction assessment service providers, space agencies, space situational awareness (SSA) centres, flight-dynamics teams, spacecraft operations centres, and ground-segment integrators that exchange collision-warning information. Operators and SSA providers use CDMs to automate ingestion of conjunction notifications, prioritize events, and inform collision-avoidance decisions and manoeuvre planning.

Related standards

ISO 19389 is closely related to the CCSDS Conjunction Data Message (CDM) specifications (original CCSDS CDM work is the basis for the ISO adoption) and to other space-data message standards and debris/SSA standards (for example CCSDS 508.0 series and related ISO space-system standards such as orbit/data message and debris-mitigation standards). Implementers commonly refer to CCSDS CDM documents and recent CCSDS updates when integrating CDM exchanges into operational systems.

Keywords

Conjunction Data Message (CDM); collision risk; probability of collision; Time of Closest Approach (TCA); miss distance; covariance; space situational awareness (SSA); satellite operations; message format; interoperability.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 19389:2014 defines the Conjunction Data Message (CDM) — a standardized message format for exchanging spacecraft conjunction (close-approach) information between conjunction-assessment originators and satellite owner/operators.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the CDM message fields, structure, optional keywords and guidance for representing conjunction-relevant data (event metadata, object IDs, relative state and covariances, miss distance, collision probability, TCA). It does not cover transmission protocols or the prediction algorithms used to compute the data.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Satellite owner/operators, SSA and conjunction-assessment providers, national and international space agencies, flight-dynamics and operations teams, and system integrators who ingest or generate automated conjunction warnings.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 19389:2014 is the published ISO edition (2014). The CDM concept originated in CCSDS (published as CCSDS 508.0-B-1 in 2013) and CCSDS continues to maintain and update the CDM family (recent CCSDS activity and draft updates were active in 2024). Implementers should be aware of ongoing CCSDS updates and consult both the ISO text and the latest CCSDS revisions when designing interoperable systems; as of the latest available documentation the ISO 2014 edition remains the published ISO standard.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It aligns with other space data and information transfer system standards (CCSDS message families and related ISO space-system standards). CDM is part of the broader set of message standards used in space operations and SSA information exchange.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: CDM, conjunction, collision probability, TCA, miss distance, covariance, satellite operator, SSA, interoperability.