The European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS, German „European Cooperation for Space Standardization“) is an initiative founded in 1993 by ESA, national space agencies and the space industry to develop uniform standards for European space travel. The standards issued by the ECSS deal with the topics of project management (with the various project phases), product assurance, space technology and sustainability for space projects. The standardization should ensure the cooperation and competitiveness of the European space industry.
The following space agencies belong to the ECSS:
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)
- Center national d’études spatiales (CNES)
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- Netherlands Space Office (NSO)
- Norwegian Space Center (NSC)
- UK Space Agency (UKSA)
The private companies active in the space sector are represented by the Eurospace interest group. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is an associated member.
The first version was published in 2006, but most of the documents have been republished. There was a first reissue on July 31, 2008, a second on November 15, 2008, and a third on March 6, 2009.
Each branch is divided into various disciplines:
Project management branch:
- M-10, Project planning and implementation
- M-40, Configuration and information management
- M-60, Cost and schedule management
- M-70, Integrated logistic support
- M-80, Risk management
Quality assurance branch:
- Q-10, Product assurance management
- Q-20, Quality assurance
- Q-30, Dependability
- Q-40, Safety
- Q-60, EEE components
- Q-70, Materials, mechanical parts and processes
- Q-80, Software product assurance
Systems engineering branch:
- E-10, System engineering
- E-20, Electrical and optical engineering
- E-30, Mechanical engineering
- E-40, Software engineering
- E-50, Communications
- E-60, Control engineering
- E-70, Ground systems and operations
Sustainable Space Development Branch:
- U-10, Space debris mitigation