Hubble - The Whirlpool Galaxy; NASA/JPL (1999)

The Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) was formed in 1982 by the major space agencies of the world to provide a forum for discussion of common problems in the development and operation of space data systems.  It is currently composed of ten member agencies, twenty-two observer agencies, and over 100 industrial associates.

Since its establishment, it has been actively developing Recommendations for data- and information-systems standards to a) reduce the cost to the various agencies of performing common data functions by eliminating unjustified project-unique design and development, and b) promote interoperability and cross support among cooperating space agencies to reduce operations costs by sharing facilities.