# Spiceinit issues (Instrument=Null)

**URL:** <https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/spiceinit-issues-instrument-null/198>\
**Category:** Tools and Web Services\
**Created:** [October 24, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/spiceinit-issues-instrument-null/198 "2019-10-24T15:49:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Riccardo\_Pozzobon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openplanetary.discourse.group/riccardo_pozzobon/32/91_2.png) [@Riccardo\_Pozzobon](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/u/Riccardo_Pozzobon)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/spiceinit-issues-instrument-null/198/1 "2019-10-24T15:49:25Z")

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I have been recently experiencing issues with the spiceinit ISIS routine when trying to attach kernels to cubes. Specifically I am talking about MRO CTX cubes. It seems that, after creating cubes with mroctx2isis the spiceinit (both with web=true and with kernels on local machine) returns a record in which Instrument = Null

here below is an example related to a CTX image:

Group = Kernels  
NaifFrameCode = -74021  
LeapSecond = $base/kernels/lsk/naif0012.tls  
TargetAttitudeShape = $base/kernels/pck/pck00009.tpc  
TargetPosition = ($base/kernels/spk/de430.bsp,  
$base/kernels/spk/mar097.bsp)  
InstrumentPointing = ($mro/kernels/ck/mro\_sc\_psp\_070710\_070716.bc,  
$mro/kernels/fk/mro\_v15.tf)  
**Instrument = Null**  
SpacecraftClock = $mro/kernels/sclk/MRO\_SCLKSCET.00083.65536.tsc  
InstrumentPosition = $mro/kernels/spk/mro\_psp4\_ssd\_mro110c.bsp  
InstrumentAddendum = $mro/kernels/iak/mroctxAddendum005.ti  
ShapeModel = $base/dems/molaMarsPlanetaryRadius0005.cub  
InstrumentPositionQuality = Reconstructed  
InstrumentPointingQuality = Reconstructed  
CameraVersion = 1  
End\_Group

This creates subsequent problems, for example when trying stereo with ASP. It seems a common issue that has also a specific thread here

> **[ASP stereo with SPICE web service](https://astrodiscuss.usgs.gov/t/asp-stereo-with-spice-web-service/216/3)**
>
> Discourse doesn’t seem to want to let me post a response, let’s see if this works:

I tried both conda-based ISIS as well as legacy installations with ASP versions from 2.5.2 to 2.6.2.  
I get always the same Null field. Any clues of what is happening or workarounds?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![jessemapel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openplanetary.discourse.group/jessemapel/32/94_2.png) [@jessemapel](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/u/jessemapel)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/spiceinit-issues-instrument-null/198/2 "2019-10-25T15:58:21Z")

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Hi,

Not having an instrument kernel is to be expected. All of the camera parameters that the ISIS CTX sensor models needs are contained in the IAK.

Is it possible for you to provide the full label from your image?

edit - you may want to post your issue over on the ASC discourse [https://astrodiscuss.usgs.gov/](https://astrodiscuss.usgs.gov/). More of the ISIS devs watch that.

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**Author:** ![michaelaye](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/openplanetary.discourse.group/michaelaye/32/11_2.png) [@michaelaye](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/u/michaelaye)\
**Post date:** [October 15, 2020, 7:27am UTC](https://openplanetary.discourse.group/t/spiceinit-issues-instrument-null/198/3 "2020-10-15T07:27:28Z")

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Would be nice if any new post in the ASC forum about this could be back linked here for easy finding solutions.