Summary
When using spiceinit with web=true and requesting specific kernel types that are unavailable, the command returns a generic confusing server error instead of a detailed PVL error label explaining what went wrong.
Steps to Reproduce
-
Run spiceinit requesting smithed SPK kernels while disallowing reconstructed:
lronac2isis from=./M1470132779LE.IMG to=test.cub
spiceinit from=test.cub spksmithed=true spkrecon=false web=true
-
Observe the error message:
**ERROR** An error occurred when talking to the server. The server encountered an unexpected error.
Expected Behavior
When requested kernels are unavailable, spiceinit should return a PVL label with detailed error information, similar to what happens in other kernel resolution failures:
Group = Kernels
NaifFrameCode = -85600
LeapSecond = $base/kernels/lsk/naif0012.tls
TargetAttitudeShape = ($base/kernels/pck/pck00009.tpc,
$lro/kernels/pck/moon_080317.tf,
$lro/kernels/pck/moon_assoc_me.tf)
TargetPosition = ($lro/kernels/tspk/moon_pa_de421_1900-2050.bpc,
$lro/kernels/tspk/de421.bsp)
InstrumentPointing = ($lro/kernels/ck/lrolc_2024121_2024153_v01.bc,
$lro/kernels/ck/moc42r_2024121_2024152_v01.bc,
$lro/kernels/fk/lro_frames_2014049_v01.tf)
Instrument = $lro/kernels/ik/lro_lroc_v18.ti
SpacecraftClock = $lro/kernels/sclk/lro_clkcor_2025099_v00.tsc
InstrumentPosition = Null
InstrumentAddendum = $lro/kernels/iak/lro_instrumentAddendum_v05.ti
ShapeModel = /pathtomodel/WAC_GLD100_V1.0_GLOBAL_with_L-
OLA_30M_POLE.16bit.lp.demprep.cub
InstrumentPositionQuality = Unknown
InstrumentPointingQuality = Reconstructed
CameraVersion = 2
Error = "No instrument position available"
End_Group
This would clearly indicate that the requested smithed SPK kernels are not available for the given observation.
Actual Behavior
The generic server error provides no actionable information about what went wrong.
Workaround
Removing spkrecon=false allows the command to succeed by downgrading to reconstructed kernels:
spiceinit from=test.cub spksmithed=true web=true
However, this defeats the purpose when the user specifically needs smithed kernels and wants to know if they're unavailable.
Environment
- ISIS Version: 8.2 and 9.0 (confirmed on both)
- Operating System: macOS Tahoe 26.2
Additional Context
The root cause appears to be missing spksmithed kernels for the observation. The server-side error handling should catch this case and return informative PVL output rather than a generic server error.
Summary
When using
spiceinitwithweb=trueand requesting specific kernel types that are unavailable, the command returns a generic confusing server error instead of a detailed PVL error label explaining what went wrong.Steps to Reproduce
Run spiceinit requesting smithed SPK kernels while disallowing reconstructed:
Observe the error message:
Expected Behavior
When requested kernels are unavailable, spiceinit should return a PVL label with detailed error information, similar to what happens in other kernel resolution failures:
This would clearly indicate that the requested smithed SPK kernels are not available for the given observation.
Actual Behavior
The generic server error provides no actionable information about what went wrong.
Workaround
Removing
spkrecon=falseallows the command to succeed by downgrading to reconstructed kernels:However, this defeats the purpose when the user specifically needs smithed kernels and wants to know if they're unavailable.
Environment
Additional Context
The root cause appears to be missing spksmithed kernels for the observation. The server-side error handling should catch this case and return informative PVL output rather than a generic server error.