CCSDS Outreach Initiative and Reference Implementation Development Competition

This competition is now closed to new applications

The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching a pilot programme on behalf of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS). This outreach initiative aims to strengthen engagement with the European amateur satellite and academic communities.

Eligibility

This competition is open to participants from the European region. Teams and individuals from European countries are invited to participate in developing CCSDS protocol implementations.

Competition Prize

Winners will receive an invitation to attend a CCSDS conference, where they will present their results to the international CCSDS community.

About the Competition

This competition, sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with Goonhilly Earth Station, CCSDS, AMSAT-UK, and AMSAT-DL, invites European amateur satellite operators, students, educators, and academic researchers to develop high-quality reference implementations of selected CCSDS protocols.

Participants will:

  • Develop open, standards-compliant reference implementations of CCSDS protocols
  • Contribute to a shared technical resource for amateur satellite operators, universities, and research groups
  • Gain recognition within both the CCSDS community and the broader space communications field
Featured Protocols

Participants may choose to develop implementations for either of these CCSDS protocols:

LunaNet Signal-In-Space (LSIS-AFS)

Defines how lunar orbiters or surface systems broadcast a unified navigation and timing signal to support future missions on and around the Moon. Develop a functional concept or prototype demonstrating signal design, transmission, interpretation, or application for lunar missions.

Space Communications Session Control (CCSDS 235.1)

Defines how space missions establish, manage, and conclude communication sessions between spacecraft and ground systems. Create a practical, interoperable reference implementation aligned with the CCSDS 235.1 standard.

Long-Term Vision: Cislunar Amateur Radio Payload

CCSDS, in cooperation with ESA, intends to support the preparation of the most successful protocol implementations for potential consideration for flight on a future cislunar amateur radio payload. This offers an exceptional opportunity for community-developed CCSDS-compliant software to be demonstrated in a deep-space operational environment. (Subject to funding and programme approval)

How It Works
Form Teams

Project leads create teams and invite participants to join. Teams can have multiple members working together.

Choose Your Protocol

Select either the LunaNet Signal-In-Space or Space Communications Session Control protocol to implement.

Develop Solutions

Teams collaborate to design, develop, and test their CCSDS-compliant reference implementations.

Submit & Compete

Teams submit their completed work for evaluation and compete for the opportunity to present at a CCSDS conference.

Workshop at Goonhilly Earth Station

An in-person workshop at Goonhilly Earth Station will be available to interested participants, providing a unique environment for collaboration, expert guidance, and accelerated development. The competition organisers will not assert any ownership over workshop or competition outputs.

Competition Timeline
Date Event
19 January 2026 Competition Launch
Platform opens for registration and team formation
19 January - 2026 Team Formation & Registration
Create teams, invite members, and register for the competition
28 February 2026 Registration & Team Formation Closes
Final deadline for new registrations and team formation
Late June / Early July 2026 Workshop at Goonhilly Earth Station, Cornwall, UK
Collaborative development session and team support
31 August 2026 Competition Closes
Final submission deadline - judging begins
30 September 2026 Winners Announced
Judging complete and results published
October 2026 CCSDS Meetings
Winners attend CCSDS meetings (mid-October)
Note: Specific dates for the Workshop will be announced soon. Winners will have 2-3 weeks after the announcement to make travel arrangements for the CCSDS meetings.
Getting Started
  1. Register for an account
  2. Complete your profile with your skills
  3. Browse available teams or create your own
  4. Review specifications to see what challenges are available
  5. Join the discussion board to connect with other developers
Need Help? Check the Contact page if you have questions about the competition.