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PDS Archived Data Sets
Mission SPICE kernels that have been peer reviewed and archived by the NAIF Node
of the Planetary Data System are available directly
from the NAIF's PDS archive area of the NAIF server.
For each mission the kernels and associated descriptive information are provided as a single PDS data set.
For a majority of the missions this is an
accumulating PDS data set, initially assembled with archival data
from the earliest portion of the mission and then increasing in size as the mission progresses and new "chunks"
of archival SPICE data arre added.
For most SPICE users not involved in mission operations, acquiring archived kernels organized into one SPICE data set
using the PDS archive area link above is the best approach. This way you'll be sure to
get the entire collection of archived kernels available as of the current date, including all mission-appropriate
generic kernels. Often these archive collections are much easier to use than the mission operations kernels discussed below, in part because you'll also receive "furnsh" files that help you use consistent and complete kernel sets, and you'll receive the best descriptive information (meta-data) that will help you understand
important details about the specific kernels in the data set. For some (orbital) missions you'll also receive a SPICE
ORBNUM file.
Be aware that the end time of the period covered by an accumulating archived data set will lag behind real time,
usually by six to nine months.
For PDS archive "expert users" who wish to search for a few specific archived kernels,
using the
PDS' central catalog (new browser window) is a another approach that may be considered. This catalog provides
access to archived kernels
for NASA missions no matter at which PDS node they are archived. But it will NOT return "furnsh" files or ORBNUM files,
and it is easy to leave out some kernels that don't have specific START and STOP times. NAIF recommends you not use this
method unless you are quite familiar with how the catalog interacts with SPICE archives.
For more information look at searching for SPICE data in the PDS central catalog.
Operational Flight Project Kernels
SPICE kernels for currently active missions where NAIF produces the kernels or otherwise has access to them
may be obtained directly from the NAIF server
using the links below. Included under this category are kernels from past missions that have not yet
been archived in the PDS.
Please note that kernels produced by agencies other than JPL are usually available only at those agencies, and may not be
available to other than the flight project's team members. (Kernels for a few ESA-sponsored missions are mirrored at NAIF by
agreement with ESA for the convenience of U.S. participating scientists.)
Generic Kernels
SPICE kernels that exist independent of any particular flight project are called
generic Kernels. These may be obtained from the
generic kernels area of the NAIF server.
Included under this category are:
- Ephemerides for planets, satellites, and some comets and asteroids (SPK)
- Planetary constants kernels, including special binary versions for the earth and the moon (PCK)
- Special frames kernels associated with the moon (FK)
- Current leapseconds kernel (LSK)
- Topocentric locations (SPK) and reference frame definitions (FK) for some earth stations
- Star catalogs (PPM, Tycho2 and Hipparcos, in SPICE Type 1 format)
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