This International Standard defines how the packaging of data and metadata, including software, can be put into a single package (e.g. file or message) in order to facilitate information transfer and archiving.

This International Standard also provides a detailed specification of core packaging structures and mechanisms, which accommodate the current computing environment and meet evolving requirements, and which can be implemented to demonstrate practical, near-term results.

This International Standard is applicable to the entire space informatics domain, from operational messaging to interfacing with science archives.