What is BS EN 16603-70 - Ground systems and operations in space engineering about?   
Ground systems and operations are key elements of a space system and play an essential role in achieving mission success. Within the framework of the overall engineering standards for space missions, BS EN 16603-70 contains the basic rules, principles, and requirements applied to the engineering of the ground segment and mission operations, which form an integral part of the overall system implementing a space project. 
BS EN 16603-70 has the following structure: 
- Definition of the ground segment and operations domain 
- Requirements on ground segment engineering, i.e., the tasks required to design, implement, and maintain a ground segment 
- Requirements on operations engineering, i.e., the tasks required to prepare and carry out operations of a space project 
- Identification of the relationships between the ground segment engineering and operations engineering processes and the space project lifecycle as defined in ECSS-M-ST-10. 
Who is BS EN 16603-70 - Ground systems and operations in space engineering for?  
BS EN 16603-70 on ground systems and operations in space engineering is useful for:  
- Spacecraft and space products manufacturers           
- Aerospace products manufacturers     
- Testing agencies involved in the inspection of spacecraft and aerospace products           
- Quality control personnel for spacecraft products        
- Aeronautical engineers   
- Space researchers 
Why should you use BS EN 16603-70 - Ground systems and operations in space engineering?   
Mission success requires successful completion of a long and complex process covering the definition, design, production, verification, validation, post-launch operations, and post-operational activities, involving both ground segment and space segment elements. It involves technical activities, as well as human and financial resources, and encompasses the full range of space engineering disciplines. In BS EN 16603-70 mission success is defined as the achievement of the target mission objectives as expressed in terms of the quantity, quality, and availability of delivered mission products and services within a given cost envelope.
BS EN 16603-70 provides information on the terms, definitions, ground segment, operations domain, operation engineering, and lifecycle of the ground systems and operations in space engineering. BS EN 16603-70 also addresses the relationships between a customer and the ground segment supplier (GSS) and a customer and the operations supplier (OS).  
BS EN 16603-70 has been developed to cover specifically space systems and has therefore precedence over any EN covering the same scope but with a wider domain of applicability (e.g.: aerospace). BS EN 16603-70 may be tailored for the specific characteristics and constraints of a space project in conformance with ECSS-S-ST-00.
