A product is defined in the Herschel Data Processing system as the highest level of data structure, which contains the following components:
Metadata
Zero or more tables or "datasets", which can also have their own metadata
A processing history of the product
Herschel products have an internal structure representation in the Herschel Data Processing system or HIPE. When the products are exported as FITS files, a proper translation of the metadata keywords and of tables and datasets takes place to ensure consistency with the standard. Products are distributed through the Herschel Science Archive (HSA) as FITS files, or can be loaded from the HSA directly in HIPE.
