---
title: "Sequence: Observatory Protocol"
description: "The twelve functions of Observatory Protocol 0.1 read in order, from first contact to retirement, each handing the next the objects it produces."
url: https://observatory.global/protocol/flows/
publisher: Nexus Observatory Inc.
updated: 2026-10-27
---

[Observatory Protocol](https://observatory.global/protocol/)

/

[Specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/)

/

**Flows** 

# The functions in sequence.

The twelve functions read in order, each handing the next the objects it produces.

[Read the specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/)

[Contribute](https://observatory.global/open/)

**Functions**: 12
**State machines**: 11
**Objects**: 21
**Standards**: 48

## From first contact to retirement, in order.

Each function hands the next the objects it produces.

### Join

A node proves what it is, receives an identity and a policy, then a signed plan. A node MUST present attestation evidence (RATS, RFC 9334, passport model) rooted in a hardware root of trust where the device class has one (TPM 2.0, DICE or a secure element), or a software root explicitly marked SOFTWARE\_ROOT otherwise. A verifier MUST bind the result to a nonce and an expiry. Identity MUST be short-lived and renewable (X.509 SVID, SPIFFE-style URI). Long-lived shared secrets MUST NOT be used. The bootstrap bundle MUST be signed by the site's enrolment key and carry the trust anchors, policy reference and the first plan digest. Evidence: enrolment receipt, attestation result, identity issuance record.

**Objects**: 8
**Actors**: 0
**Standards**: 5
**Domains**: 6

#### Objects it moves

#### Actors it involves

#### Standards it is drawn against

#### Domains that rely on it

5G core and edge computing

Positioning, navigation and timing

Edge hardware and runtime

IoT and low-power wireless

Security, identity and supply chain

Field deployment and operations

## References

Sources for the historical and standards statements on this page.

1. Bradner, S. (1997). RFC 2119, "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels." IETF. [www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119)
2. Leiba, B. (2017). RFC 8174, "Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC 2119 Key Words." IETF. [www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8174](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8174)

## Read it, test it, propose a change.

The Observatory Protocol is an open specification stewarded by the Nexus Consortium. Any party may implement it, and every change is proposed and decided in public.

[Read the specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/)

[Contribute](https://observatory.global/open/)

[Nexus Observatory](https://observatory.global/)**Observatory Protocol** . One open protocol for the observing grid.[Talk to us](https://observatory.global/contact/)

Observatory Protocol

- [Specification](https://observatory.global/protocol/specification/)
- [Conformance](https://observatory.global/protocol/conformance/)
- [Governance](https://observatory.global/protocol/governance/)
- [Developers](https://observatory.global/protocol/developers/)
- [Changes](https://observatory.global/protocol/changes/)

Technologies

- [Device identity and attestation](https://observatory.global/technologies/security/device-identity-and-attestation/)
- [PKI, secure boot and updates](https://observatory.global/technologies/security/pki-secure-boot-and-updates/)
- [Ingest and streaming](https://observatory.global/technologies/data/ingest-and-streaming/)
- [Storage and data lakes](https://observatory.global/technologies/data/storage-and-data-lakes/)

Industries

- [All industries](https://observatory.global/industries/)

Service platforms

- [Protocol & Grid](https://observatory.global/grid-services/)
- [Software](https://observatory.global/software/)
- [Hardware & power](https://observatory.global/hardware/)
- [Sensors & instruments](https://observatory.global/sensors/)
- [Connectivity](https://observatory.global/connectivity/)
- [Edge compute & AI](https://observatory.global/edge-ai/)
- [Earth observation & GeoAI](https://observatory.global/earth-observation/)

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