BepiColombo FK files
===========================================================================

     This ``aareadme.txt'' file describes the contents of the kernels/fk
     directory of the BepiColombo SPICE data server.

     It was last modified on November 20th, 2018 by Marc Costa Sitja, ESAC/ESA.


Contact Information
--------------------------------------------------------

     If you have any questions regarding this directory or its
     contents, please contact the ESA SPICE Service at ESAC:

             Marc Costa Sitja
             (+34) 91-8131-457
             mcosta@sciops.esa.int, esa_spice@sciops.esa.int

             Bjoern Grieger
             (+34) 91-8131-107
             bgrieger@sciops.esa.int, esa_spice@sciops.esa.int
      
     
References and required readings
--------------------------------------------------------

     1. ``Frames Required Reading'', NAIF Document

     2. ``Kernel Pool Required Reading'', NAIF

     3. ``C-Kernel Required Reading'', NAIF

          
Brief Summary
--------------------------------------------------------

     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.
   

File naming conventions
--------------------------------------------------------

     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_SC_sci_vNN.tf             BepiColombo science support frames.
       
        bc_SC_ops_vNN.tf             BepiColombo science operations frames.
                                    
        bc_mpo_sc_mer_npo_vNN.tf     Mapping/overwrite of MPO_SPACECRAFT to
                                     MPO Mercury Nadir-Power-Optimized frame.
               
        bc_SC_vNN.tf                 BepiColombo spacecraft, structures,
                                     instruments and sensors frames.

     where
    
         SC             accronym of the spacecraft:
           
                          mpo: for the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) 
                               spacecraft;
                          mmo: for the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MPO)
                               spacecraft; 

         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.)


Other directory contents
--------------------------------------------------------

     aareadme.txt         This file.
   

Particulars
--------------------------------------------------------
                             
     Important information about the Mapping/overwrite frame definition
     kernel (bc_mpo_sc_mercury_npo_vNN.tf):
   
        These frames have been implemented to overwrite the MPO_SPACECRAFT
        frame definition provided in the BepiColombo Frames Definitions
        kernel (bc_mpo_vNN.tf) and map it to the MPO_MERCURY_NPO
        frames defined in the BepiColombo Science Operations Frames 
        Definitions kernel (bc_mpo_ops_vNN.tf).
   
        In order to make use of these frames' kernel, ONLY ONE of these files
        MUST BE LOADED AFTER the BepiColombo frames definition kernel and
        the BepiColombo Science Operations Frames Definition kernel.
   
        NOTE THAT BY USING ANY OF THESE KERNEL, THE MPO_SPACECRAFT FRAME
        WILL BE  MAPPED TO THE CORRESPONDING SCIENCE OPERATIONS FRAME, AND
        ANY CK PROVIDING ORIENTATION FOR THE MPO_SPACECRAFT FRAME WILL
        NOT BE USED BY THE APPLICATION SOFTWARE, EVEN IF IT IS LOADED IN
        THE KERNEL POOL.


Kernel File Details
--------------------------------------------------------
 
     The most detailed description of the data in an FK file is provided in
     metadata included inside the descriptive text areas of the file. This
     information can be viewed using any text editor.


End of aareadme file.