+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|  __   __   __      __   __     __   ___     __   ___  __          __   ___  |
| /__\ /__` '__\    /__` |__) | /  ` |__     /__` |__  |__) \  / | /  ` |__   |
| \__, .__/ \__/    .__/ |    | \__, |___    .__/ |___ |  \  \/  | \__, |___  |
|                                                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
The BepiColombo Mission Archived SPICE Kernel Data Set

   Last update: 2024-07-02T10:30:00


Introduction
============

   This document describes the BepiColombo SPICE kernel data set (SKD)
   containing observation geometry and other ancillary data in the form of
   SPICE System kernel files for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO),
   Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO or MIO), and Mercury Transfer
   Module (MTM) spacecrafts their instruments, and targets. It describes the
   data set directory structure, kernels included in the data set, their
   naming conventions, and provides pointers to the SPICE software and
   documentation.


Table of Contents
=================

   Introduction
   Table of Contents
   Overview
   Errata
   Archive Contents
   Kernel Types
   Archived Kernel Details
      SPK Files
      PCK Files
      IK Files
      CK Files
      LSK Files
      SCLK Files
      FK Files
      DSK Files
      MK Files
   Miscellaneous Files
      Checksum Files
   File Formats
   SPICE Software and Documentation
   Contact Information
   Cognisant Persons


Overview
========

   This archive includes the complete set of BepiColombo SPICE data files
   (kernel files), which can be accessed using SPICE software. The
   SPICE data contain geometric and other ancillary information needed
   to recover the full value of science instrument data. In particular
   SPICE kernels provide spacecraft and planetary ephemerides,
   spacecraft and instrument orientation, instrument mounting
   alignments, and data needed for relevant time conversions. Data in
   the SPICE kernel files must be accessed using the software called
   the SPICE Toolkit produced and distributed by the Navigation and
   Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF) Node of the Planetary Data
   System.

   This archive includes data covering from BepiColombo launch,
   through the end time of the latest spacecraft orientation file
   supplied in the archive. Until the end of the spacecraft lifespan
   this archive will be accumulating with new data added according to
   the project archiving plan.

Back to Table of Contents

Errata
======

   1. This document is a simple HTML document. Providing documents in a
      simple mark-up format was allowed by earlier versions of the PDS4
      Standards but became prohibited in later versions starting summer
      2015. Since the document was compliant at the time when the first
      SPICE Bundle was released and for the sake of cross agency
      consistency of SPICE bundles, it will exist in the archive
      as an HTML document.

   2. C-Matrix Kernels generated from housekeeping telemetry contain several
      gaps for different known reasons. Some of the gaps might be restored in
      future versions of the bundle. Note that for S/C attitude those gaps
      are covered by predicted CK files.

   3. C-Matrix Kernels generated from housekeeping telemetry measured
      quaternions included periods with fake identity quaternions until
      release 04, therefore, the corresponding CKs below from release 05
      have coverage gaps at the periods where the fake identity quaternions
      occurred:
       - bc_mpo_sc_scm_20181020_20190101_s20240615_v01.bc
       - bc_mpo_sc_scm_20190101_20200101_s20240615_v01.bc
       - bc_mpo_sc_scm_20200101_20210101_s20240615_v01.bc
       - bc_mpo_sc_scm_20210101_20220101_s20240615_v01.bc
       - bc_mpo_sc_scm_20220101_20230101_s20240615_v01.bc

Back to Table of Contents

Archive Contents
================

   Files in this archive are organized into a set of subdirectories
   below the top-level directory. The following diagram shows the
   structure and content of these directories. The directory names are
   enclosed in square brackets ([]).


  [top-level-directory]
   |
   |- bundle_bc_spice_v*.xml             Bundle PDS4 label, one or more versions.
   |- readme.txt                         Bundle top-level readme file.
   |
   |-[spice_kernels]                     Directory containing SPICE kernels.
   | |
   | |- collection_spice_kernels_v*.xml  PDS4 labels for Spice Kernels collections.
   | |- collection_spice_kernels_inventory_v*.tab
   | |                                   Spice Kernels collections' inventories.
   | |
   | |-[ck]                              Directory containing CK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.bc                          Binary CK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for CK files.
   | |
   | |-[dsk]                             Directory containing DSK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.bds                         Binary DSK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for DSK files.
   | |
   | |-[fk]                              Directory containing FK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.tf                          Text FK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for FK files.
   | |
   | |-[ik]                              Directory containing IK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.ti                          Text IK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for IK files.
   | |
   | |-[lsk]                             Directory containing LSK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.tls                         Text LSK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for LSK files.
   | |
   | |--[mk]                             Directory containing MK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.tm                          Text Meta-kernel files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for MK files.
   | |
   | |-[pck]                             Directory containing PCK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.tpc                         Text PCK files.
   | | |-- *.bpc                         Binary PCK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for PCK files.
   | |
   | |-[sclk]                            Directory containing SCLK files.
   | | |
   | | |-- *.tsc                         Text SCLK files.
   | | +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for SCLK files.
   | |
   | +-[spk]                             Directory containing SPK files.
   |   |
   |   |-- *.bsp                         Binary SPK files.
   |   +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for SPK files.
   |
   |-+-[miscellaneous]                   Directory miscellaneous files.
   | |
   | |- collection_miscellaneous_v*.xml  PDS4 labels for miscellaneous collections.
   | |- collection_miscellaneous_inventory_v*.tab
   | |                                   Miscellaneous collections' inventories.
   | |
   | +-[checksum]                        Directory containing checksum files.
   |   |
   |   |-- *.tab                         Text checksum files.
   |   +-- *.xml                         PDS4 labels for checksum files.
   |
   +-[document]                          Directory containing documents.
     |
     |- collection_document_v*.xml       PDS4 labels for document collections.
     |- collection_document_inventory_v*.tab
     |                                   Document collections' inventories.
     |
     |- spiceds_v*.html                  This file and its earlier versions.
     +- spiceds_v*.xml                   PDS4 labels for this file and its earlier versions.

Back to Table of Contents

Kernel Types
============

   Different SPICE kernel types are used to store different kinds of
   ancillary data.

   SPK (Spacecraft Planet Kernel) files contain ephemerides (position
   and velocity) for spacecraft, planets, satellites, comets and
   asteroids as well as for moving or fixed spacecraft and instrument
   structures. SPK files are located under the spice_kernels/spk
   directory of this archive.

   PCK (Planetary Constants Kernel) files contain certain physical,
   dynamical and cartographic constants for target bodies, such as size
   and shape specifications, and orientation of the spin axis and prime
   meridian. PCK files are located under the spice_kernels/pck
   directory of this archive.

   IK (Instrument Kernel) files contain instrument parameters relevant
   for computing an instrument's geometry such as field-of-view
   definitions, CCD and optical distortion characteristics, and internal
   timing parameters. IK files are located under the spice_kernels/ik
   directory of this archive.

   CK (C-matrix Kernel) files contain time varying orientations for
   spacecraft, spacecraft structures, and articulating science
   instruments. CK files are located under the spice_kernels/ck
   directory of this archive.

   LSK (Leapseconds Kernel) files contain the leapseconds and the
   values of other constants required to perform a transformation
   between Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and Ephemeris time (ET),
   which is also known as Barycentric Dynamical Time (TDB). LSK
   files are located under the spice_kernels/lsk directory of
   this archive.

   SCLK (Spacecraft Clock Kernel) files contain on-board clock
   calibration data required to perform a transformation between
   Ephemeris time (ET) and spacecraft on-board time (SCLK). SCLK files
   are located under the spice_kernels/sclk directory of this
   archive.

   FK (Frame definitions Kernel) files contain information required to
   define reference frames, sources of frame orientation data and
   connections between these frames and other frames supported within
   the SPICE system. The science instrument frame definitions provided
   in the FK files include mounting alignment information for the
   instruments. FK files are located under the spice_kernels/fk
   directory of this archive.

   DSK (Digital Shape Kernel) files contain detailed shape models for
   extended objects. These objects typically are solar system bodies such as
   planets, dwarf planets, natural satellites, asteroids, and comet nuclei.
   DSK data also can represent shapes of artificial objects such as spacecraft
   components or represent abstractions such as a magnetic field model.
   DSK files are located under the spice_kernels/dsk
   directory of this archive.

   MK (Meta-Kernel) files list sets of related SPICE kernels that
   should be used together, providing an easy way to make data from
   these kernel sets available to a SPICE-based application by loading
   meta-kernels into the program using the high level SPICE data loader
   routine FURNSH. MK files are located the spice_kernels/mk
   directory of this archive.

Back to Table of Contents

Archived Kernel Details
=======================

   The subsections below provide details, such as file naming
   conventions and specific details, for each of the kernel types
   included in this archive.

   Please note that the most detailed description of the data in each file is
   provided in metadata included inside the file or the comment area of the
   file. For binary files this information can be viewed using the utility
   program COMMNT included in the NAIF Toolkit.

Back to Table of Contents

SPK Files

   This directory contains the SPICE SP-Kernel files for the BepiColombo
   mission, including mission analysis, nominal and operational spacecraft
   trajectory SPKs, generic planetary and satellite ephemeris SPKs.


   Naming Scheme for BepiColombo spacecraft SPKs:

     The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft trajectory SPKs is:

           bc_SC_TYPE[_ID][_DESC]_YYYYMMDD_YYYYMMDD_vNN.bsp

     where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                               spacecraft

           TYPE      Data type, where a reference to the originator of the
                     data, the type of data and the and the reference period
                     is provided. This is a three letter acronym. The first
                     letter defines the file originator:

                          s: Science Operations Center;
                          m: Mission Analysis;
                          f: Flight Dynamics;

                     the second letter defines the reference period of the
                     data:

                          c: Cruise phase;
                          l: Science phase Long term;
                          m: Science phase Medium term;
                          s: Science phase Short term;
                          o: Undefined;

                     the third letter indicates the type of data

                          p: Predicted data;
                          r: Reconstructed data;
                          t: Test data;

           ID        mapping to the original file product IDs as defined
                     per an ICD document (optional);

           DESC      description of the original reference file of any
                     particular of the original file (optional);

           YYYYMMDD  coverage start and stop times in TDB (required);

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

     The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft center-of-gravity
     SPKs is:

            bc_SC_cog[_ID][_YYYYMMDD_YYYYMMDD]_vNN.bsp

     where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                               spacecraft

           ID        mapping to the original file product IDs as defined
                     per an ICD document (optional);

           YYYYMMDD  coverage start and stop times in TDB (optional);

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

     The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft structures SPKs is:

           bc_SC_struct_vNN.bsp

     where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                               spacecraft

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

     The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft cruise SPKs is:

           bc_SC_cruise_vNN.bsp

     where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                               spacecraft

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

     The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft prelaunch SPKs is:

           bc_SC_prelaunch_vNN.bsp

     where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

   Naming Scheme for Generic Planetary Ephemeris SPKs

     The naming scheme for generic planetary SPKs is:

           deNNN.bsp

     where

           NNN       DE version (required; e.g. 421);

   Naming Scheme for ESA ESTRACK ground stations SPKs

     The naming scheme for ESA ESTRACK ground stations SPKs is:

           estrack_vNN.bsp

     where

           NN       version (required; e.g. 01);

   Naming Scheme for NASA DSN ground stations SPKs

     The naming scheme for NASA DSN ground stations SPKs is:

           earthstns_itrf93_YYMMDD.bsp

     where

           YYMMDD       product creation time (required);

   Naming Scheme for JAXA ground stations SPKs

     The naming scheme for JAXA ground stations SPKs is:

           earthstns_jaxa_YYYYMMDD.bsp

     where

           YYYYMMDD       product creation time (required);

   Naming Scheme for BepiColombo science frames origins SPKs

     The naming scheme for BepiColombo science frames origins SPKs is:

           bc_sci_vNN.bsp

     where

           NN       version (required; e.g. 01);

Back to Table of Contents

PCK Files

   This directory contains generic and mission-specific SPICE Planetary
   Constants Kernel files for the BepiColombo mission. The data in these
   kernels correspond to the best knowledge of the orientation, size and
   shape of Mercury, Venus and the Earth.

   Naming Scheme for Generic PCKs

     The naming scheme for generic PCKs is:

           pckNNNNN.tpc

     where

           NNNNN    version number (required)(e.g. 00010);

                    If multiple versions of a generic PCK Kernel file are
                    provided, always use the latest version (unless an
                    earlier version is needed for some special reasons.)

     The naming scheme for mission-specific PCKs is:

           pckNNNNN_bc_vNN.tpc

     where

           NNNNN    PCK version number (required)(e.g. 00011);

           NN       version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

                    If multiple versions of a generic PCK Kernel file are
                    provided, always use the latest version (unless an
                    earlier version is needed for some special reasons.)

     The naming scheme for generic PCK containing masses for Solar System
     bodies is:

           gm_deNNN.tpc

     where

           NNN      planetary ephemeris version number (required; e.g. 403);

                    If multiple versions of a generic PCK Kernel file are
                    provided, always use the latest version (unless an
                    earlier version is needed for some special reasons).

   Naming Scheme for Earth high-precision PCKs

     The naming scheme for the Earth high-precision PCKs is:

           earth_SDAT_EDAT_PDAT.bpc

     where

           SDAT     is the file's coverage start time in YYMMDD format;

           EDAT     is the file's coverage end time in YYMMDD format;

           PDAT     is the date from which the information contained
                    in the file corresponds to predicted data. Any data
                    prior to this date corresponds to actual measurements.

Back to Table of Contents

IK Files

   This directory contains the SPICE Instrument Kernel files for the
   BepiColombo remote sensing and in-situ measurement/plasma science
   instruments.

     The naming scheme for BepiColombo IKs is:

           bc_SC_INST_vNN.ti

     where

           SC       acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                               spacecraft

           INST     instrument identifier (required):

                          mppe       for MPPE
                          msasi      for MSASI
                          ssas       for SSAS
                          aux        for Auxiliary
                          bela       for BELA
                          mertis     for MERTIS
                          mgns       for MGNS
                          mixs       for MIXS
                          phebus     for PHEBUS
                          serena     for SERENA
                          simbio-sys for SIMBIO-SYS
                          sixs       for SIXS
                          str        for STRs
                          mcam       for MCAMs

           NN       version number (required);

                    If multiple versions of an IK file are provided for an
                    instrument, always use the latest version (unless
                    earlier version is needed for some special reasons.)

Back to Table of Contents

CK Files

   This directory contains the SPICE C-Kernel files for the BepiColombo
   (MPO, MMO, MTM) spacecrafts, their structures, and science instruments.

   BepiColombo spacecraft CK:

      The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecrafts CKs is:

           bc_SC_INST_TYPE[_ID][_DESC]_YYYYMMDD_YYYYMMDD_SCLK_vNN.bc

      where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                       mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                            spacecraft;
                       mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                            spacecraft;
                       mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                            spacecraft

           INST     instrument/structure/sensor identifier (required):

                       sc:      for the MPO/MMO/MTM spacecraft frame;
                       hga:     for the MPO High Gain Antenna frames;
                       mga:     for the MPO Medium Gain Antenna frames;
                       sa:      for the MPO/MTM Solar Arrays frames;
                       magboom: for the Magnetometer Boom frames;
                       mertis:  for the MERTIS flip mirror frame;
                       phebus:  for the PHEBUS scanner frames;
                       serena:  for the SERENA Strofio flip mirror frame;
                       sep:     for the MTM Solar Electric Propulsion frames.

           TYPE      Data type, where a reference to the originator of the
                     data, the type of data and the and the reference period
                     is provided. This is a three letter acronym. The first
                     letter defines the file originator:

                       s: Science Operations Center;
                       m: Mission Analysis;
                       f: Flight Dynamics;

                     the second letter defines the reference period of the
                     data:

                       c: Cruise phase reference;
                       l: Science phase Long term reference;
                       m: Science phase Medium term reference;
                       s: Science phase Short term reference;
                       o: Undefined reference;

                     the third letter indicates the type of data

                       p: Predicted data;
                       r: Reconstructed data;
                       t: Test data;
                       c: Commanded data (from Housekeeping Telemetry)
                       m: Measured data (from Housekeeping Telemetry)

           ID        mapping to the original file product IDs as defined per
                     an ICD document (optional);

           DESC      description of the original reference file of any
                     particular of the original file (optional);

           YYYYMMDD  coverage start and stop times in TDB (required);

           SCLK      reference to SCLK used to created the CK (required):

                      sYYMMDD: SCLK version YYMMDD for type ``step''
                      tYYMMDD: SCLK version YYMMDD for type ``stretch''
                      fYYMMDD: SCLK version YYMMDD for type ``fictional''

           NN        CK version number -- 2 digits (required).

      The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft cruise CKs is:

           bc_SC_INST_cruise_vNN.bc

      where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                               spacecraft

           INST      instrument/structure/sensor identifier (required):

                          sc:      for the MMO/MTM spacecraft frame

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);

      The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft prelaunch CKs is:

           bc_SC_INST_prelaunch_vNN.bsp

      where

           SC        acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft

           INST      instrument/structure/sensor identifier (required):

                          sc:      for the MPO spacecraft frame

           NN        version number, starting from 01 (required; e.g. 01);


   If multiple versions of a C-Kernel file are provided, always use the latest
   version (unless earlier version is needed for some special reasons.)

Back to Table of Contents

LSK Files

   This directory contains the generic SPICE Leapseconds Kernel files for
   the BepiColombo mission.

     The naming scheme for generic LSKs is:

           naifNNNN.tls

     where

           NNNN     version number (required)(e.g. 0011);

                    If multiple versions of a generic LSK Kernel file are
                    provided, always use the latest version (unless earlier
                    version is needed for some special reasons.)

Back to Table of Contents

SCLK Files

   This directory contains the SPICE Spacecraft Clock-Kernel files for the
   BepiColombo spacecraft on-board clock.

     The naming scheme for BepiColombo SCLKs is:

          bc_SC_TYPE[_DESC]_YYYYMMDD.tsc

     where

          SC       acronym of the spacecraft:

                   mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                        spacecraft;
                   mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                        spacecraft;

          TYPE     SCLK data type contained within the file:

                   fict:   ``fictional'' data;

                   stre:   SCLK created using a 'stretch' strategy, i.e. TCPs
                           are considered only the time they start to be
                           applicable, and then the correlation is made by
                           linking these points, i.e. not taking into
                           consideration the gradient and offsets provided
                           within the TCPs;

                   step:   SCLK created using a 'step' strategy, i.e.
                           additional TCPs are created between real ones in
                           order to match the time correlation provided by a
                           TCP packet N at 60 seconds before TCP packet N+1,
                           so that continuity is forced.

          DESC     description of the applicability of the kernel. This
                   field might be used for spacecraft clocks with fictional
                   data which are not used for science planning purposes,
                   i.e. real telemetry data from a test campaign (optional);

          YYYYMMDD start time of applicability, i.e. either release date for
                   fictional SCLKs or date of the last TCP used to generate
                   the SCLK in stretch/step mode.

Back to Table of Contents

FK Files

   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.

   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_sci_vNN.tf                BepiColombo science support 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.

        earth_topo_YYMMDD.tf         NASA DSN Ground Stations topocentric
                                     frames.

        earthstns_jaxa_YYYYMMDD.tf   JAXA Ground Stations topocentric frames.

        rssd0002.tf                  Cross-mission frames kernel that defines
                                     frames of interest not ``built'' in the
                                     SPICE toolkit.

     where

         SC             acronym of the spacecraft:

                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft;
                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                               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).


Back to Table of Contents

DSK Files

   This directory contains the SPICE DS-Kernel files for the MPO, MMO and
   MTM spacecrafts, its structures, and science instruments.

   BepiColombo spacecraft DSK:

      The naming scheme for the BepiColombo spacecraft DSK is:

           bc_SC_BODY_[STRUC]_vNN.bds

      where

           SC      acronym of the spacecraft:

                       mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO)
                            spacecraft;
                       mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO)
                            spacecraft;
                       mtm: for the Mercury Transfer Module (MTM)
                            spacecraft

           BODY    type of body:

                       sc: for satellite

           STRUC   instrument/structure/sensor identifier (optional):

                       bus:   for the spacecraft bus;
                       sa:    for the MPO solar array;
                       sapx:  for the MTM +X Solar Array;
                       samx:  for the MTM -X Solar Array;
                       hga:   for the high gain antenna;
                       mga:   for the medium gain antenna;
                       mosif: for the MMO sunshield

           NN      DSK version number -- 2 digits (required).

   If multiple versions of a DS-Kernel file are provided, always use the latest
   version (unless earlier version is needed for some special reasons.)

Back to Table of Contents

MK Files

   Meta-kernel (MK) files (a.k.a 'furnsh' files) provide lists of the
   archived kernels included in this archive suitable for loading into
   a SPICE-based application via the high level SPICE data loader
   routine FURNSH. Using meta-kernels makes it easy to load with
   one call a comprehensive SPICE data collection for a given period.

   The text MK files are provided under the spice_kernels/mk
   directory and are named according to the following scheme:

      -  BepiColombo MK files

               bc_vVVV.tm

            where

               VVV       is the version; the file with the latest
                         version supersedes all similarly named
                         files with earlier versions.

   The reasons for adding new kernels include (but are not limited to)
   adding new kinds of kernels, adding new versions of existing kernels
   containing more complete or more accurate data, and adding new
   versions of existing kernels superseding the existing kernels that
   had errors. The file with the latest version number supersedes all
   earlier versions.

   Although the meta-kernels were created such that on a UNIX
   workstation they can be loaded into a SPICE-based application
   directly from the directory in which they reside -- because the
   PATH_VALUES keyword is set to '..' and '/' is used as the path
   delimiter -- it is recommended that users make local copies of these
   files and update the PATH_VALUES keyword in each of them to point to
   the actual location of the archive's 'spice_kernels' directory on
   their system. Additional changes including replacing '/' and '\' in
   all path specifications and converting UNIX line terminators to
   terminators native to the user's system may be required to use these
   meta-kernels on non-UNIX workstation.

   The following guidelines were followed to pick and set priority --
   determined by the order in which the kernel files are listed, with
   the latest one taking precedence -- for the kernel files included in
   these meta-kernels:

      -  the latest archived versions of LSK, PCK, SCLK, IK, FK, generic
         SPKs, fixed offset SPKs, and fixed orientation CKs were included

      -  the latest reconstructed SPKs were included

      -  the latest predicted and reconstructed CKs were included

   Additional description of the kernels sets listed in a text MK file is
   provided in metadata included inside the description area of the
   file. This information can be viewed using any text editor program.

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Miscellaneous Files
===================

   Miscellaneous files provide value added elements that are outside the
   scope of the PDS archive requirements. Miscellaneous files included in
   this archive are currently limited to checksum files.

   The subsection below provides details for these files.

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Checksum Files

   A checksum file provides a table of MD5 checksums for all files in the
   archive as of a particular archive (bundle) version, including
   checksums for all previous checksums files and their labels but
   excluding the checksum for the checksum file itself and its label.

   The checksum files are provided under the miscellaneous/checksum
   directory and are named according to the following scheme:

      -  BepiColombo checksum files

               checksum_vVVV.tab

            where

               VVV       is the version; the file with the latest
                         version supersedes all similarly named
                         files with earlier versions and can be
                         used to validate the archive in its
                         entirety.

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File Formats
============

   All text documents, checksum files, and other meta information files
   such as descriptions, detached PDS4 labels, and inventory tables are
   stream format files, with a carriage return (ASCII 13) and a line feed
   character (ASCII 10) at the end of the records. This allows the
   files to be read by most operating systems.

   The text kernel files in this archive -- LSKs, PCKs, SCLKs, IKs, FKs,
   and MKs -- are UNIX text files, with a line feed character (ASCII 10) at
   the end of the line, and binary kernels files -- SPKs, CKs and DSKs --
   are IEEE LSB binary files. While data files in this archive can be used
   'as is' with SPICE toolkits for the majority of supported
   environments, converting the files to the binary or text format
   native to the user's computer may be required for use of the data
   with FORTRAN toolkits on incompatible environments. Refer to the
   documentation provided with the SPICE Toolkit to find out whether
   conversion is needed in each specific case.

   NAIF provides a tool (BINGO) that can convert either binary or text
   kernels from one format to another. This means that text files can
   have their line terminator changed and binary files can be converted
   to the native format of the platform of interest. BINGO is available
   from the utilities page at the NAIF Node of the PDS:

      https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/utilities.html

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SPICE Software and Documentation
================================

   The latest SPICE Toolkit for a variety of computer platforms,
   additional utility programs, documentation, tutorials, and hands-on
   lessons are available at the NAIF Node of the PDS:

      https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov

   specifically:

      Toolkit:   https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/toolkit.html

      Utilities: https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/utilities.html

      Tutorials: https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/tutorials.html

      Lessons:   https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/lessons.html

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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) 91 813 14 29
             spice@cosmos.esa.int

   or NAIF at JPL:

             Boris Semenov
             +1 (818) 354-8136
             Boris.Semenov@jpl.nasa.gov

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Cognisant Persons
===============================

   This archive was produced by Alfredo Escalante, Ricardo Valles, and
   Marc Costa Sitja, Archives and SPICE Software Development and Operations
   Work Area, Data and Engineering Division (SCI-OP), Directorate of Science
   (D/SCI), European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), European Space Agency
   (ESA), Villanueva de la Canada, Spain.


End of BepiColombo SPICE archive description.
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