General information about SPICE DS-kernels
==========================================

   The purpose of the DS-kernel -- which stands for Digital Shape
   Kernel -- is to allow various digital shape representations, such as
   triangular plate models or digital elevation models, to be combined
   under a common file format and accessed by a common set of
   subroutines.

   Starting with the SPICE Toolkit version N0066, DSKs can be accessed
   by subroutines that are part of the SPICE library, the major
   component of the SPICE Toolkit. For earlier Toolkits, before N0066,
   DSKs can be accessed by subroutines from a special library called
   DSKLIB. These subroutines can be integrated into user application
   programs. For information on the SPICE Toolkit and/or how to obtain
   it, please consult SPICE_INST.CAT and SOFT.CAT.

   To use DS-kernels, Leapseconds (LSK), a Frame Definitions Kernel
   (FK), Planetary Constants Kernel (PcK), and possibly even C-Kernel
   (CK) files may also be required.

   Refer to the DSK.REQ document provided with the Toolkit to get more
   information on how to access DS-kernel data.


Mars Express DSK Files
======================

   This file describes the contents of the DATA/DSK directory of the
   MARS EXPRESS SPICE data set.

   The contents of any DSK file may be easily determined using the
   'dskbrief' utility program, Example:

      % dskbrief <dsk_file_name>

   Descriptive information about how/why/when an DSK file was created
   is usually available in the 'comment area' of the file. This may be
   viewed using the 'commnt' utility program available in all copies of
   the SPICE Toolkit. Use the '-r' option to read the comments.
   Example:

      % commnt -r <dsk_file_name>

   All binary DSK files (*.BDS) contained in this directory are
   little-endian (LTL-IEEE) binary files.


Mars Express DSK-Kernels Naming Scheme
======================================

   The naming scheme for the Mars Express S/C DSKs is:

      PPP_SC_STRUCT_Vvv.BDS

   where:

      PPP     -  project prefix: MEX

      SC      -  body: SC for Spacecraft

      STRUCT  -  SC part: BUS (for the bus of spacecraft),
                 SAPY (for right Solar Array) or
                 SAMY (for left Solar Array)

      Vvv     -  version: V01, V02, V03 ....

      BDS     -  extension: .BDS


   The naming scheme for the Natural Bodies DSKs is:

      BODY_RRRR_PRO[_ID][_DESC]_Vvv.BDS

   where

      BODY    -  body: PHOBOS for Phobos, or DEIMOS for Deimos.

      RRRR    -  number of plates: Knnn (for nnn thousand plates)
                 or Mnnn (for mmm million plates)

      PRO     -  producer:

                    DLR for Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und
                        Raumfahrt e.V.
                    GAS for Gaskell, R.W.
                    THO for Thomas, P.


      Vvv     -  version: v01, v02, v03 ...

      BDS     -  extension: .BDS


Mars Express DSK-Kernels Contained in this Data Set
====================================================

   The following DSK-kernels are provided in this data set:

   MEX spacecraft structures DSKs, for use with Toolkit N0066 or later:

      MEX_SC_BUS_Vvv.BDS            SPICE Kernel (DSK) file for the Mars
                                    Express spacecraft Bus, for named
                                    surface. To be used with SPICE toolkit
                                    N0066 or later. Created by the ESA
                                    SPICE Service.

      MEX_SC_SAPY_Vvv.BDS           SPICE Kernel (DSK) file for the Mars
                                    Express spacecraft +Y Solar Array,
                                    for named surface. To be used with
                                    SPICE toolkit N0066 or later. Created
                                    by the ESA SPICE Service.

      MEX_SC_SAMY_Vvv.BDS           SPICE Kernel (DSK) file for the Mars
                                    Express spacecraft -Y Solar Array,
                                    for named surface. To be used with
                                    SPICE toolkit N0066 or later. Created
                                    by the ESA SPICE Service.

      PHOBOS_K275_DLR_Vvv.BDS       SPICE Kernel (DSK) that contains
                                    Phobos shape data based on
                                    Mars-Express HRSC images.

      PHOBOS_M003_GAS_Vvv.BDS       SPICE Kernel (DSK) that contains Phobos
                                    shape data by Robert Gaskell based on
                                    Viking Orbiter 1 VIS-A and VIS-B camera
                                    images.

      DEIMOS_K005_THO_Vvv.BDS       SPICE Kernel (DSK) that contains Deimos
                                    shape data by Peter Thomas based on
                                    Viking Orbiter images.


Kernel File Details
===================

   The most detailed description of the data in each DSK file is
   provided in metadata included inside the comment area of the file.
   This information can be viewed using utility programs 'commnt'
   included in the SPICE Toolkit.

   At least a basic knowledge of the SPICE system is needed in order to
   use these kernels. The SPICE Toolkit provides versions in Fortran
   (SPICELIB), C (CSPICE), IDL (Icy), Matlab (Mice), and Java
   (JNISpice) and the user can choose any one that suits him/her.

   Starting with the Toolkit version N0066, the SPICE routine FURNSH
   can be used to load a DS-kernel file into a SPICE-based application
   to make kernel data usable with SPICE APIs. In earlier versions of
   the Toolkit, prior to N0066, the low level DASOPR routine can be
   used to open a DSK file for read access.