ISO 18202:2013 defines the Mission Operations (MO) Message Abstraction Layer (MAL) in conformance with the service framework specified in CCSDS 520.0-G-3, Mission Operations Services Concept.

The MO MAL is a framework that provides generic service patterns to the Mission Operation services defined in CCSDS 520.0-G-3. These Mission Operations services are defined in terms of the MAL.

ISO 18202:2013 defines, in an abstract manner, the MAL in terms of:

• the concepts that it builds upon;
• the basic types it provides;
• the message headers required by the layer;
• the relationship between, and the valid sequence of, the messages and resulting behaviours.

It does not specify:

• individual implementations or products;
• the implementation of entities or interfaces within real systems;
• the methods or technologies required for communications.