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SPICE (observation geometry system)
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<h2 id="data">Data</h2> <p>SPICE data files are usually referred to as "kernels." These files provide information such as spacecraft trajectory and orientation; target body <a href="/facts/Ephemeris/vjQCBG29">ephemeris</a>, size and shape; instrument field-of-view size, shape and orientation; specifications for reference frames; and tabulations of time system conversion coefficients.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> </p><p>SPICE data are archived in a national archive center such as the NASA <a href="/facts/Planetary_Data_System/K66rmHhn">Planetary Data System</a> archives.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <h3>Kernels</h3> <p>There are five major kernels and five other kernels.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <ul><li>SPK: Space vehicle or target body trajectory (ephemeris)</li> <li>PcK: Target body size, shape and orientation</li> <li>IK: Instrument field-of-view size, shape and orientation</li> <li>CK: Orientation of space vehicle or any articulating structure on it</li> <li>EK: Events information <ul><li>ESP: Science Plan</li> <li>ESQ: Sequence of events</li> <li>ENB: Experimenter’s Notebook</li></ul></li> <li>Others: <ul><li>FK: Reference frame specifications</li> <li>LSK: Leapseconds tabulation</li> <li>SCLK: Spacecraft clock coefficients</li> <li>DSK: Digital shape models</li> <li>MK: Meta-kernel</li></ul></li></ul> <h2 id="software">Software</h2> <p>The SPICE system includes software referred to as The SPICE Toolkit, used for reading the SPICE data files and computing geometric parameters based on data from those files. These tools are provided as subroutine libraries in four programming languages: <a href="/facts/C_(programming_language)/Ky2No763">C</a>, <a href="/facts/FORTRAN/m1KqjcMU">FORTRAN</a>, <a href="/facts/IDL_(programming_language)/E6YhA7zY">IDL</a>, <a href="/facts/MATLAB/qPjLISCk">MATLAB</a> and Java Native Interface. Third parties offer Python and Ruby interfaces to the C-language Toolkit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> The Toolkits also include a number of utility and application programs. The SPICE Toolkits are available for most popular computing platforms, operating systems and compilers. Extensive documentation accompanies each Toolkit. </p><p>Those unable to write their own SPICE-based program may try using WebGeocalc, a browser interface to a SPICE-based geometry engine running on the NAIF server. Using WebGeocalc is much easier than writing your own program, but it still requires considerable knowledge about SPICE data and solar system geometry, and it doesn't offer the full range of computations available when using Toolkit software in your own program.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p><p>The NAIF Group also offers a 3-D mission visualization program named SPICE-Enhanced Cosmographia. This program runs in the OSX, Windows and Linux environments. Visual representations of mission SPICE data are controlled using an assortment of menus and GUI controls. A scripting interface is also available.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="tutorials-and-programming-lessons">Tutorials and programming lessons</h2> <p>A set of tutorials is available to help users understand the SPICE data and software.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> Some "open book" programming lessons useful in learning how to program using Toolkit subroutines are also available. </p> <h2 id="availability">Availability</h2> <p>The SPICE data, Toolkit software, tutorials and programming lessons are all freely available from the NAIF website.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> There are no licensing or export restrictions. Prospective users are cautioned that it takes some effort to learn to use this software: it is primarily provided for professionals in the space exploration business. Prospective users should carefully read the "Rules" page available at the NAIF website. </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/index.html">NAIF Website</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"The SPICE Concept". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2009-05-11. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/spiceconcept.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/spiceconcept.html</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"About NAIF". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2009-05-11. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/about.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/about.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Components". NASA NAIF. Archived from the original on 2009-04-12. Retrieved 2009-05-11. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090412055516/http://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/spicecomponents.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20090412055516/http://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/spicecomponents.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Archived Data". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2009-05-11. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/data.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/data.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"An Overview of SPICE" (PDF). Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility, NASA. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/Tutorials/pdf/individual_docs/03_spice_overview.pdf" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/Tutorials/pdf/individual_docs/03_spice_overview.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"The SPICE Toolkit". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2009-05-11. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/toolkit.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/toolkit.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"WebGeocalc". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2019-02-14. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/webgeocalc.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/webgeocalc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Cosmographia". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2019-02-22. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/cosmographia.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/cosmographia.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"SPICE Tutorials". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2016-01-16. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/tutorials.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/naif/tutorials.html</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"NAIF Website". NASA NAIF. Retrieved 2009-05-11. <a href="https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html" target="_blank">https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>