Europa Clipper's Implementation and Operational Use of CCSDS File Delivery Protocol

Europa Clipper has demonstrated the first use of fully acknowledged CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP) on both the uplink and the downlink data streams at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). The protocol’s use in the design has been a success, saving the work of having a software and process infrastructure to have to retransmit and delete data products from the downlink stream, or to re-uplink files to the spacecraft. The Verification and Validation of the CFDP functionality and how the lessons from that informed the development of the operational usage will be covered. The uplink/downlink architecture and data products management constraints will also be discussed, as they drive the CFDP timer values, along with the uplink/downlink rates. In the lead up to launch, it was identified that the CFDP ground timer freeze/thaw capability needed to be made to be automated instead of solely manual. The tool algorithm will be described along with the operational use. Several operational scenarios will be described and the use of CFDP in those scenarios will be elaborated, like the launch data playback, the robustness it provided in the period that the lab power was shut down due to the Eaton Fire, and the unique 4-month low data rate (LDR) period that Clipper operated through. Additionally, a contingency method for data product downlink at very low rates (down to 520 bps) was developed for the LDR periods in the mission. Finally, lessons learned on the specific implementation of CFDP and the integration with the ground and flight systems will be discussed, with potential application to future JPL missions.