This sample covers MaxQ initialization and loading SPICE kernel data.

Q: What exactly is a SPICE kernel?
A: SPICE kernels contain data about position, orientation, or physical characteristics of Planets, Spacecraft, Asteroids, and more. This is how MaxQ (through SPICE) “knows” where any given object is at a given time.

The flexibility of Kernel files allows users to load whatever data sets are needed. Creating new data files is an easy process. It’s easy enough to create whole new planets, satellites, solar systems as-needed.

Covered:

• Demonstrate how to initialize the SPICE module
• Demonstrate how to load one kernel data file
• Demonstrate how to enumerate all kernel files in a project directory
• Demonstrate how to load all kernel files in a given directory
• Demonstrate fetching gravitational (mass) constants from the loaded kernels
• Demonstrate fetching planetary radii constants from the loaded kernels
• Demonstrate using SPICE bodvrd RADII data to set mesh dimensions