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. Venus Express DSK Files ======================= This file describes the contents of the DATA/DSK directory of the VENUS EXPRESS SPICE data set. The contents of any DSK file may be easily determined using the 'dskbrief' utility program, Example: % dskbrief 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 All binary DSK files (*.BDS) contained in this directory are little-endian (LTL-IEEE) binary files. Venus Express DSK-Kernels Naming Scheme ======================================= The DSK-kernels provided in this data set are named according to this naming scheme: PPP_SC_STRUCT_Vvv.BDS where: PPP - project prefix: VEX 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 Venus Express DSK-Kernels Contained in this Data Set ==================================================== The following DSK-kernels are provided in this data set: VEX spacecraft structures DSKs, for use with Toolkit N0066 or later: VEX_SC_BUS_Vvv.BDS SPICE Digital Shape Kernel (DSK) file for the Venus Express spacecraft Bus, for named surface. To be used with SPICE toolkit N0066 or later. Created by the ESA SPICE Service. VEX_SC_SAPY_Vvv.BDS SPICE Digital Shape Kernel (DSK) file for the Venus Express spacecraft +Y Solar Array, for named surface. To be used with SPICE toolkit N0066 or later. Created by the ESA SPICE Service. VEX_SC_SAMY_Vvv.BDS SPICE Digital Shape Kernel (DSK) file for the Venus Express spacecraft -Y Solar Array, for named surface. To be used with SPICE toolkit N0066 or later. Created by the ESA SPICE Service. 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.