This is the web home for SPICE data for ExoMars RSP (also known as ExoMars2020). For information about the mission operations, go to the ExoMarsRSP ESA Robotic Exploration web. For information about the scientific data, go to the ExoMarsRSP PSA web.

 

EXOMARS RSP SPICE KERNELS SET

The ExoMarsRSP SPICE Kernel Datasaet is a combined effort of three organisations: ESA, ROCC and IKI. The ESA SPICE Service (ESS) in collaboratoin with the Rover Operations Control Center (ROCC/ALTEC/Thales Alenia Space), the NNK form the Russian Institute of Science (IKI) and the Mission Instrument Teams, produces a SPICE Kernel Dataset (SKD) for the ExoMarsRSP mission. A complete description including naming convention and an index of the contents of the ExoMarsRSP SKD can be found in the description of the ExoMarsRSP repository.

The ExoMarsRSP SPICE Kernels dataset consists of several SPICE kernels, organised as follows:

The SKD has the following directory structure:

  • root directory (named after the mission: ExoMarsRSP)
    • kernels
      • ck: Kernels that contain orientation for the spacecraft and some of its structures, (solar arrays, for instance).
      • fk: Kernels that define reference frames needed for the Mission.
      • ik: Kernels for the instruments on board the Rover and the Surface Platform.
      • lsk: Leapseconds kernel.
      • mk: Meta-kernel files (a.k.a "furnsh" files) that provide lists of kernels suitable for a given mission period in the appropiate order.
      • pck: Kernels that define planetary constants.
      • sclk: Spacecraft clock coefficients kernels.
      • spk: Orbit kernels, for the Rover, Surface Platform and Carrier Module and other solar system bodies.
      • dsk: Digital Shape kernels for extended bodies and the Mars Local environment.
    • misc
      • release notes: Includes the Release Notes of the SKD.
      • cosmo: The SPICE-enchanced configuration for the ExoMarsRSP mission.
      • other: different directories of interest.

OBTAINING THE KERNELS

The complete ExoMarsRSP SPICE Kernel Dataset can be obtained from the ESA SPICE Service FTP or the ESA SPICE Service HTTP.

In order to obtain the latest operational kernels we recommend you to download the kernels listed in the metakernel. 

The latest version of the SKD's operational sub-set -including only the latest kernels listed on the metakernel- can be obtained either via:

The Release notes of the latest version of the ExoMarsRSP kernel dataset can be seen here. 

ORIGIN OF THE KERNELS

KERNELS CREATED BY THE ESA SPICE SERVICE

The ESA SPICE Service collaborates with the ROCC and Instrument Teams to create instrument, frames and digital shape kernels for ExoMarsRSP Rover and Carrier Module:

  • RSSD frames kernel.
  • The instrument kernels (IK) have been developed by the ESA SPICE Service and the Instrument Teams.
  • The ExoMarsRSP Rover and Carrier Module frames kernel has been created by the ESA SPICE Service.

KERNELS CREATED BY ROCC

The ROCC produces the position, orientation and spacecraft clock kernels running the SPICE Operational Pipeline provided by the ESA SPICE Service and generates:

  • Operational SPK, CK and SCLK kernels generated by the SPICE Operational Pipeline (ADCSng).
  • RSSD frames kernel.

KERNELS CREATED BY NNK

NNK produces the kernels for the Surface Platform that includes:

  • Operational CK and SCLK kernels.
  • Russian stations kernels.
  • Instrument and Frames kernels for the Surface Platform.

GENERIC KERNELS PROVIDED BY NAIF

NAIF generates kernels that are mission independent. Some of them are used by ESA missions:

  • Binary and text PCK and LSK kernels.
  • Some SPK kernels with ephemeris of the Solar System bodies.
  • SPK kernels for ground stations.
  • Frames kernels for ground stations.

WEBGEOCALC

The WebGeocalc tool (WGC) provides a web-based graphical user interface to many of the observation geometry computations available from the SPICE system. A WGC user can perform SPICE computations without the need to write a program; the user need have only a computer with a standard web browse. 

Access to the WebGeocalc here.

For more information on WeGeoCalc go to the NAIF WebGeocalc description.

STAYING TUNED

If you want to receive updates and notifications for SPICE for ExoMarsRSP you might join the SPICE_EMRSP mailing list here.

Notifications from the ESA SPICE Service can also be obtained via twitter.

You can also join the #SPICE channel in the OpenPlanetary Group in Slack. You can access using this link.