ISO 13541-2021 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 13541-2021 — Space data and information transfer systems — Attitude data messages. This international standard specifies two standard message formats for exchanging spacecraft attitude information: the Attitude Parameter Message (APM) and the Attitude Ephemeris Message (AEM), intended for use between space agencies and supporting systems for planning, operations, comparison and propagation of attitude data.

Abstract

The document defines message formats, associated requirements and criteria for transferring spacecraft attitude information used in pre‑flight planning, scheduling attitude and data processing support, performing attitude operations and comparisons, attitude propagation and sensor prediction, and initializing subsystem simulators. It describes the structure and semantics of the Attitude Parameter Message (APM) and the Attitude Ephemeris Message (AEM).

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 30 June 2021
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 49.140 (Space systems and operations)
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (ISO 13541:2021)
• Number of pages: 52

Key bibliographic facts above are taken from the ISO record for ISO 13541:2021.

Scope

This standard provides standardized data message formats (APM and AEM) for the exchange of spacecraft attitude information between organisations and systems. It is meant to support activities such as preflight planning for tracking and attitude estimation, scheduling of attitude and data processing support, operational attitude exchanges and comparisons, attitude propagation and sensor prediction, and initialization of subsystem simulators. The formats include required fields, allowed data representations and criteria to meet interoperability needs between participating agencies.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of two primary message types: Attitude Parameter Message (APM) and Attitude Ephemeris Message (AEM).
• Formalized message structure and data fields for attitude representation, timestamps and metadata.
• Requirements and criteria aimed at interoperability between agencies and ground/flight systems.
• Guidance for use cases: planning, operations, comparisons, propagation and simulator initialization.
• Conformance considerations for producers and consumers of attitude messages.

Typical use and users

Primary users are space agencies, satellite operators, mission planning and operations teams, attitude determination and control engineers, ground segment software developers, flight dynamics and simulation teams, and organizations exchanging attitude products for multi‑agency missions or instrument support. The standard is used wherever consistent, machine‑readable attitude data exchange is required between heterogeneous systems.

Related standards

ISO 13541:2021 replaces ISO 13541:2010 and sits within the ISO/TC 20/SC 13 suite of space data and information transfer system standards. It is commonly used alongside other space data exchange standards and CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) messaging and ephemeris formats where cross‑domain interoperability is required.

Keywords

attitude data, APM, AEM, spacecraft attitude, attitude ephemeris, message formats, space data transfer, interoperability, ISO 13541:2021

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 13541:2021 is an international standard specifying standardized message formats (APM and AEM) for transferring spacecraft attitude information between organisations and systems.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the syntax and semantics of attitude data messages, required fields, representations, and criteria designed to support planning, operations, attitude comparisons, propagation and simulator initialization.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Space agencies, satellite operators, spacecraft attitude and flight dynamics engineers, ground segment and mission planning teams, and software developers handling attitude products and exchanges.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 13541:2021 is the current published edition (edition 2) issued on 30 June 2021; it replaces ISO 13541:2010.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ISO space data and information transfer systems work under ISO/TC 20/SC 13 and is related to other standards addressing space data exchange and interoperability; it is commonly applied alongside CCSDS recommendations and other ISO space‑systems standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Attitude Parameter Message (APM), Attitude Ephemeris Message (AEM), spacecraft attitude, ephemeris, data message format, interoperability, space data transfer, ISO 13541.