PDS_VERSION_ID          = PDS3
RECORD_TYPE             = STREAM

OBJECT                  = TEXT
   INTERCHANGE_FORMAT   = ASCII
   PUBLICATION_DATE     = 2012-12-21
   NOTE                 = "E-Kernel Information"
END_OBJECT              = TEXT

END

General information about SPICE E-kernels
=========================================

   The purpose of the Events (E) -kernel is to store different kinds of
   the spacecraft and science instrument events related information
   such as spacecraft and instrument commands, status parameters,
   records of spacecraft activities, ground events, and so on, and to
   systematize and provide access to this data in relational data base
   -like fashion.
 
   The means of an access to the EK data are provided via SPICE Toolkit
   APIs, calls to which can be integrated into user application
   programs. The information regarding how to obtain the SPICE system
   toolkit for a number of languages and computer platforms is located
   in the ``/software'' subdirectory of the main directory of this data
   set.
 
   To use E-kernels with INSPEKT program, a Leapseconds (LSK) is
   required.
 
   Refer to the ``ek.req'' and ``inspekt.ug'' documents provided with
   the toolkit to get more information on how to access E-kernel data.


NEAR E-kernels Provided in This Data Set
========================================

   All of the E-kernels in this data set represent the shape of Eros.
   This representation is often referred to as a 'shape' or 'plate'
   model.

   There are two plate models of EROS in this delivery, one at a lower
   resolution, having only 1566 plates (eros_n2000129x_v01.bpe) and
   another at higher resolution, having 7516 plates
   (eros_n2000129_v01.bpe). These plate E-kernels are specifically
   designed for use with the SPICE plate library, developed
   specifically for NEAR. This library is used to perform geometric
   calculations related to fields of view, observing geometry, etc. for
   shape models defined as a plate E-Kernel.


Kernel File Details
===================

   The most detailed description of the data in a binary EK file is
   provided in metadata included inside the comment area of the file.
   This information can be viewed using utility programs COMMNT and
   SPACIT included into the NAIF Toolkit.


Contact Information
===================

   For NEAR specific information, contact:

      NEAR Science Data Center
      Howard W. Taylor
      The Johns Hopkins University
      Applied Physics Laboratory
      11100 Johns Hopkins Road
      Laurel MD 20723
      Email: Howard.Taylor@jhuapl.edu

   For general information about the SPICE system:

      Charles H. Acton, Jr,
      (818)-354-3869,
      Chuck.Acton@jpl.nasa.gov,

   or

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


   address:

      Navigation and Ancillary Information Facility (NAIF)
      Jet Propulsion Laboratory
      MS 301-125L
      4800 Oak Grove Drive
      Pasadena CA 91109 USA