A Real Time Data Extraction, Transformation and Loading Solution for Semi-structured Text Files

Space applications’ users have been relying for the past decades on custom developed software tools capable of addressing short term necessities during critical Spacecraft control periods. Advances in computing power and storage solutions have made possible the development of innovative decision support systems. These systems are capable of providing high quality integrated data to both near real time and historical data analysis applications. This paper describes the implementation of a new approach for a distributed and loosely coupled data extraction and transformation solution capable of extracting, transforming and perform loading of relevant real-time and historical Space Weather and Spacecraft data from semi-structured text files into an integrated space-domain decision support system. The described solution takes advantage of XML and Web Service technologies and is currently working under operational environment at the European Space Agency as part of the Space Environment Information System for Mission Control Purposes (SEIS) project.