PDS_VERSION_ID          = PDS3
RECORD_TYPE             = STREAM

OBJECT                  = TEXT
   INTERCHANGE_FORMAT   = ASCII
   PUBLICATION_DATE     = 2007-06-27
   NOTE                 = "This file describes the files in the
                           extras/mk directory of this volume."
END_OBJECT              = TEXT

END

Meta-kernels for MER-2
======================

   This directory contains the meta-kernel files (a.k.a "furnsh" files)
   that provide lists of the archived kernels included in this data set
   suitable for loading into a SPICE-based application via the high
   level SPICE data loader routine FURNSH. Using these meta-kernels
   makes it easy to load with one call a comprehensive SPICE data
   collection for the whole mission. Like the text kernels archived in
   this data set, these meta-kernels are UNIX text files that have
   lines terminated with a line feed character, LF (ASCII 10).

   The names of the meta-kernels provided in this directory follow this
   pattern:

      mer2_TYPE_vVV.tm

   where ``TYPE'' is the kernels collection type (``tlm'', ``rl'',
   ``rel01'', ``rel02'', ... ``rel##'') and ``VV'' is the file version.
   
   The ``rel##'' meta-kernels list the sets of kernels that were used
   by some MER science teams for time conversions and computations of
   ``global'' geometry parameters for science data products included in
   a particular PDS release (designated by ``##''). These meta kernels
   list the latest LSK, PCK, FK, on-board clock and hybrid local time
   SCLKs, planet ephemeris and landing site location SPKs and do not
   include any of the kernels needed to compute ``local'' geometry
   parameters, such as site and rover path SPKs, rover and appendage
   orientation CKs, and IKs. These meta-kernels are provided primarily
   for the record.

   The ``tlm'' meta-kernels list the complete sets of kernels needed to
   compute both ``global'' and ``local'' geometry parameters. They
   include the latest LSK, PCK, FK, IKs, on-board clock and hybrid
   local time SCLKs, planet ephemeris and landing site location SPKs,
   rover and appendage orientation CKs and telemetry-only site and
   rover path SPKs.

   As the ``tlm'' meta-kernels the ``rl'' meta-kernels list the kernels 
   needed to compute both ``global'' and ``local'' geometry parameters
   but instead of including the telemetry-only site and rover path SPKs
   they include more accurate SPKs generated by combining telemetry and
   bundle-adjustment data provided by Dr. Ron Li/OSU.

   In addition to the kernel lists all meta-kernels provided in the 
   data set also include additional keywords need to run CHRONOS -- 
   SPACECRAFT_ID, CENTER_ID, LANDING_TIME, LANDING_SOL_INDEX, and 
   BODY10_GM.

   Multiple versions of a meta-kernel may exist if new kernels were
   added to the archive in a later release and the meta-kernel had to
   be updated to incorporate them. The reasons for adding new kernels
   include (but are not limited to) adding new kinds of kernels, adding
   new versions of existing kernels containing more complete or more
   accurate data, and adding new versions of existing kernels
   superseding the existing kernels that had errors. If more than one
   meta-kernel file is present, then the file with the latest version
   number supersedes all earlier versions.
 
   Although the meta-kernels were created such that on a UNIX
   workstation they can be loaded into a SPICE-based application
   directly from the root directory of the data set -- because the
   PATH_VALUES keyword is set to './data' and '/' is used as the path
   delimiter -- it is recommended that users make local copies of these
   files and update the PATH_VALUES keyword in each of them to point to
   the actual location of the data set's 'data' directory on their
   system. Additional changes including replacing '/' and '\' in all
   path specifications and converting UNIX line terminators to
   terminators native to the user's system may be required to use these
   meta-kernels on non-UNIX workstation.


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

   Regarding MER project specific information provided in this
   data set and for general information about SPICE system, contact:

      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
