A PDS data archive has several phases, which are often cyclical as data is augmented or updated by the data providers.

Planning Phase

• Data archiving requirements written into mission Announcement of Opportunity
• Pre-proposal briefing on PDS data archiving requirements given to potential proposers
• Proposal data archiving section reviewed by PDS
• PDS orientation to flight project staff
• Data archiving working groups formed

Definition and Design Phase

• Project Data Management and Archive Plans define data to be archived
• Data Product and Collection organization Software Interface Specifications (SISs) detail the data and bundle structure
• Preliminary metadata labels loaded into the PDS catalog

Production Phase

• Raw and processed data products, labels (metadata), and documentation produced
• Preliminary and quick-look data made accessible via Project and PDS web pages
• Data archive products validated and peer-reviewed; liens corrected

Distribution and Maintenance Phase

• Final data products made available on-line
• PDS add the data to the archive
• Physical copies sent to NSSDC
• PDS provides data, documentation, and science expertise to users
• Data archive maintained via periodic refreshes, addition of new/updated data products