The Planetary Data System Radio Science Sub-Node

NASA’s Planetary Data System (PDS) is an active archive of science data from NASA planetary missions. PDS archives and distributes peer-reviewed planetary science data to the world-wide planetary science community.  The Radio Science Sub-Node (RSSN) in collaboration with the Ring Moon Systems (RMS) Discipline Node aims to maintain a long-term radio science capability within PDS. Members of the RSSN team have strong connections to the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN), a long history of participation in radio science observations, and close relationships with the radio science community. 

RSSN plans to develop software tools and templates to assist data providers in the creation and ingestion of consistent PDS4-compliant data products as well as preparation and maintenance of mission-independent ancillary products from the DSN. RSSN will also develop software tools to assist data users in visualization and quick-look analysis of radio science data, enabling users to assess quality and usability early in their projects. With the constantly growing volume of data and the large variety of observation types, observing conditions, and object types, the development of metadata and quick-look tools will be critical in connecting scientists and other users to data of interest before committing to detailed analyses.

In this presentation, we will describe the RSSN objectives, overview of recent developments, near-term plans, and engagement with the radio science community.