Java Programming

Hi,

The NASA's JPL provides a service on celestial object positions called [url http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/?horizons]HORIZONS, which I'd like to use, accessing it as a client coded in Java. Interestingly enough, they provide a telnet and web forms based interface, but no SOAP (contrary to another service we use, SIMBAD).

The question is: where do I start? It seems to me that the telnet client interaction is quite suitable for automation, doing a post on a web form using a UrlConnection or through a HttpClient is a viable option too.

- Anyone aware of an already existing HORIZONS client in Java?
- How does one do telnet/VT100 from Java?
- What interface is to be prefered?

The typical question I'd like my client to answer is: "What is the position (RA and Dec) on the sky for Mars (or any of the outer planets) on a given date/time UTC".

Thanks for thinking along...
mb