BepiColombo FK files =========================================================================== This ``aareadme.txt'' file describes the contents of the kernels/fk directory of the BepiColombo SPICE data server. It was last modified on Sept. 6th, 2023 by Rafael Andres Blasco, ESAC/ESA. Contact Information -------------------------------------------------------- If you have any questions regarding this directory or its contents, please contact the ESA SPICE Service at ESAC: Alfredo Escalante Lopez (+34) 91-8131-429 spice@sciops.esa.int References and required readings -------------------------------------------------------- 1. ``Frames Required Reading'', NAIF Document 2. ``Kernel Pool Required Reading'', NAIF 3. ``C-Kernel Required Reading'', NAIF Brief Summary -------------------------------------------------------- This directory contains the SPICE Frames Definition Kernel files for the BepiColombo spacecraft, its structures, and science instruments, as well as for the Ground Earth Stations. Moreover, it contains frame definitions for science operations and for data analysis and scientific investigations. File naming conventions -------------------------------------------------------- The following table provides information on which file contains which frames, their file naming conventions and some particular details: File Contents --------------------------- ----------------------------------------- estrack_vNN.tf ESA Ground Stations topocentric frames. bc_SC_sci_vNN.tf BepiColombo science support frames. bc_SC_ops_vNN.tf BepiColombo science operations frames. bc_SC_vNN.tf BepiColombo spacecraft, structures, instruments and sensors frames. bc_dsk_surfaces_vNN.tf BepiColombo spacecraft Surface definitions for Digital Shape Kernels. earthfixeditrf93.tf Makes the ITRF93 frame coincide with the Earth fixed reference frame. earth_topo_YYMMDD.tf NASA DSN Ground Stations topocentric frames. rssd0002.tf Cross-mission frames kernel that defines frames of interest not ``built'' in the SPICE toolkit. earthstns_jaxa_YYYYMMDD.tf JAXA Ground Stations topocentric frames. where SC acronym of the spacecraft: mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) spacecraft; mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MPO) spacecraft; mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM) spacecraft YYMMDD product creation time (required); NN version number -- two digits (required) If multiple versions of a Frames Kernel file are provided, always use the latest version (unless earlier version is needed for some special reasons). Current FK Kernels Set -------------------------------------------------------- earthfixediau.tf SPICE FK file that makes the IAU_EARTH frame coincide with the Earth fixed reference frame. Created by NAIF, JPL. earthfixeditrf93.tf SPICE FK file that makes the ITRF93 frame coincide with the Earth fixed reference frame. Created by NAIF, JPL. estrack_vNN.tf SPICE FK file that provides topocentric frames for the ESA Ground Stations. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). new_norcia_topo.tf SPICE FK kernel for the topocentric reference frame for the ESA 35m tracking antenna at New Norcia. Created by NAIF, JPL. earth_topo_050714.tf SPICE FK kernel for the topocentric reference frames for the Deep Space Network (DSN) stations. This kernel was released on the date indicated in the filename. Created by NAIF, JPL. earthstns_jaxa_YYYYMMDD.tf SPICE FK kernel for the topocentric reference frames for the JAXA Deep Space stations. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). rssd0002.tf SPICE FK file defining a number of cross-mission frames that could be used by any of the users of any of the ESA planetary missions and that are not ``built'' in the SPICE toolkit. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS) and RSSD, ESA. bc_ops_vNN.tf SPICE FK file that provides MPO science operations frames. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). bc_mpo_vNN.tf SPICE FK file that provides MPO spacecraft, structures, instruments and sensors frames. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). bc_mmo_vNN.tf SPICE FK file that provides MMO spacecraft, structures, instruments and sensors frames. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS) and JAXA. bc_mtm_vNN.tf SPICE FK file that provides MTM spacecraft, structures, instruments and sensors frames. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). bc_sci_vNN.tf SPICE FK file that provides BepiColombo science frames. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). bc_dsk_surfaces_vNN.tf SPICE FK file containing surface definitions for the Digital Shape Kernels of Mercury, MPO, MMO, and MTM. Created by the ESA SPICE Service (ESS). Other directory contents -------------------------------------------------------- aareadme.txt This file. Particulars -------------------------------------------------------- Important information about the Mapping/overwrite frame definition kernel (bc_mpo_sc_mercury_npo_vNN.tf): These frames have been implemented to overwrite the MPO_SPACECRAFT frame definition provided in the BepiColombo Frames Definitions kernel (bc_mpo_vNN.tf) and map it to the MPO_MERCURY_NPO frames defined in the BepiColombo Science Operations Frames Definitions kernel (bc_mpo_ops_vNN.tf). In order to make use of these frames' kernel, ONLY ONE of these files MUST BE LOADED AFTER the BepiColombo frames definition kernel and the BepiColombo Science Operations Frames Definition kernel. NOTE THAT BY USING ANY OF THESE KERNEL, THE MPO_SPACECRAFT FRAME WILL BE MAPPED TO THE CORRESPONDING SCIENCE OPERATIONS FRAME, AND ANY CK PROVIDING ORIENTATION FOR THE MPO_SPACECRAFT FRAME WILL NOT BE USED BY THE APPLICATION SOFTWARE, EVEN IF IT IS LOADED IN THE KERNEL POOL. Kernel File Details -------------------------------------------------------- The most detailed description of the data in an FK file is provided in metadata included inside the descriptive text areas of the file. This information can be viewed using any text editor. End of aareadme file.