Recent Advances of the SPASE Data Model.

The Space Physics Archive Search and Extract (SPASE) data model is being adopted by virtual observatories and data providers world-wide. Since the release of version 1.2.1 of the data model in March 2008 it has been used to describe a large variety of data resources. This experience has generated feedback to the SPASE consortium which has been actively working to improve the data model. The SPASE consortium has strived to enrich the expressiveness of the data model and simplify its structure. This has resulted in many improvements to the data model. Release of version 1.3.1 of the data model represents the current metadata standard for the heliophysics community. We will discuss the recent decisions affecting the evolution of the model, describe the advances and tools improving the usability, and present a vision for future direction. The usage of SPASE by the Virtual Observatories and in the Heliophysics data environment as a whole is a major part of this vision. The SPASE consortium is committed to address the needs of the community and actively seeks advice and feedback from data providers, researchers and general users.