Abstract: Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) has been conceived in the early ‘80s to achieve cross-support and interoperability in space missions, and hence emerging as the reference standardization body for developing recommendations addressing different areas of the space mission lifetime. Decade after decade, space missions have become increasingly complex in light of the advance of technology and the highest ambitions put forward by agencies and governments with respect to space exploration. As such the role of CCSDS has become more and more important to ensure that mission needs are properly supported by effective and powerful standards, which are supported to become even more important in the context of the forthcoming lunar exploration. In this light, this talk surveys the main actors and areas of activity of CCSDS, by paying particular attention to space link and space internet working areas, which are pivotal to establishing effective data communication between space and ground assets.