Query spacecraft positions and ephemeris data for heliophysics research using auto-managed SPICE kernels. Built for scientists and developers who need accurate solar system geometry without manual kernel management.
io.github.huangzesen/xhelio-spice
Local install
STDIO
No auth required
How models use it and what it is built for.
Query spacecraft positions and ephemeris data for heliophysics research using auto-managed SPICE kernels. Built for scientists and developers who need accurate solar system geometry without manual kernel management.
Local install — runs as a subprocess.
Configuration this server reads at startup.
Override the default kernel cache directory (~/.xhelio_spice/kernels/)
Where to find authoritative docs and source for XHelio-SPICE.
Paste any of these into Agent Studio after connecting XHelio-SPICE.
Common questions about connecting and running XHelio-SPICE.
What SPICE kernels does xhelio-spice automatically manage?
The server auto-manages SPICE kernels for heliophysics missions and solar system geometry. It caches kernels locally (default: ~/.xhelio_spice/kernels/) and handles updates transparently, so you query spacecraft ephemeris without manual kernel downloads.
Can I use a custom directory for SPICE kernel storage?
Yes. Set the XHELIO_SPICE_KERNEL_DIR environment variable to override the default kernel cache location (~/.xhelio_spice/kernels/). This is useful for shared compute environments or when you need kernels on a specific volume.
What spacecraft and solar system bodies are supported?
The server supports major heliophysics missions (SOHO, Parker Solar Probe, STEREO, etc.) and standard solar system bodies. Exact coverage depends on available SPICE kernels; check the project repository or query the server for supported ephemeris targets.
Is there a cost or rate limit for using xhelio-spice?
xhelio-spice is open-source and free to use. Rate limits depend on your local SPICE kernel library and computation; there are no external API quotas since kernels are cached locally.
How accurate are the ephemeris calculations?
Accuracy depends on the SPICE kernels used (typically sub-kilometer for modern missions). For production heliophysics work, verify kernel versions and refer to mission-specific documentation; xhelio-spice is a convenience wrapper, not a replacement for rigorous kernel validation.
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