Generic Documentation Tree for Science Ground Segments 

Fernando PŽerez-L—opez (1), Tim Lock(2)
1 BepiColombo MPO Science Ground Segment
2 ESA SRE-OQ
European Space Astronomy Center (ESAC), 28691 Villanueva de la Ca–ada, Madrid, Spain

   The Science Ground Segment is responsible for generating, optimizing, 
distributing and preserving the science data and science data products from the 
science payload/instruments of a science mission and for assuring a maximized 
science return. The competences of the SGS include: science operations planning, 
science instrument handling, data reception and processing, and archiving as well as 
providing science support. 
   This paper presents a generic documentation structure applicable during the 
analysis, definition, implementation and operational phases of a Science Ground 
Segment. This generic documentation tree is the conclusion of the analysis 
performed in the scope of the BepiColombo SGS development project and is also 
derived from the experience of previous ESA planetary missions and astronomy 
missions. The generic documentation tree is in alignment with the ESA 
standardization and has been written with the goal of being understandable and 
suitable for the science community. It represents a new approach for the 
development of future ESA science missions, providing an initial documentation 
structure that should be tailored depending on the specific scientific, engineering 
and managerial characteristics of each mission.