Data Model

The SPASE Data Model consists of an exclusive set of resource types which can be used to describe data along with its scientific context, source, provenance, content and location. It is designed to support a federated data system where data may reside at different locations and may be separated from the metadata which describes it.

Use of the SPASE base data model along with the simulation extensions are a COSPAR recommendation.

While the data model is neutral on how to it may be expressed, the preferred expression form is XML. There are XML Schema documents which can be used to generate and validate SPASE compliant XML documents. There is also an XML Stylesheet you can use to generated an HTML formatted version of a SPASE XML document.

There are tutorials and other information available at the SPASE School.

SPASE Base Model

The Resource Types currently in the base data model are:

Annotation
Explanatory or descriptive information that is associated with another resource.
Catalog
Listing of events or observational notes.
Document
Plain or formatted text that may include graphics, sound, other multimedia data, or hypermedia references.
DisplayData
A graphical representation of data.
NumericalData
Data product stored as numerical values in a specified format.
Granule
An accessible portion of another resource.
Instrument
A device that is used to sense and parameterize a physical phenomenon.
Observatory
The host (spacecraft, network, facility) for instruments making observations.
Person
An individual human being.
Registry
A location or facility where resources are catalogued.
Repository
A location or facility where resources are stored.
Service
A location or facility that can perform a well-defined task.

Each of these elements is broken down into sub-elements that provide sufficient detail for adequate description of data sets. The Resource Types NumericalData, DisplayData and Catalog are the resources used to describe Heliophysics data products. These data product descriptions reference the other resources which contain descriptions of the observatories, instruments, people, etc. that created the data products.

SPASE Simulation Extensions

The SPASE Simulation Extensions were originally developed by the Integrated Medium for Planetary Exploration (IMPEx) project, a European Union (EU) Seventh Framework Programme sponsored project.

The Resource Types currently in the simulation extensions are:

SimulationRun
Description of a simulation run, including the code ID, the run spatial and temporal description, and all the relevant inputs.
SimulationModel
Descriptor of a simulation model: type of numerical scheme, versions,...
NumericalOutput
Numerical data generated from a simulation run.
DisplayOutput
A graphical representation of data generated from a simulation run.

The simulation extensions also override the following classes in the base model:

Granule
An accessible portion of another resource.
Particle
A description of the types of particles observed in the measurement.

Each of these elements is broken down into sub-elements that provide sufficient detail for adequate description of simulation models and generated data sets. Data product descriptions reference the other resources which contain descriptions of the observatories, instruments, people, etc. that created the data products. The resources are described using the terms from the SPASE Simulation Extension Dictionary along with terms from the Base model.