docs: def _kbos_from_survey_sym_model_input_file(model_file):
      """
      Load a Survey Simulator model file as an array of ephem EllipticalBody objects.
      @param model_file:
      @return:
      """
      lines = storage.open_vos_or_local(model_file).read().split('\n')
      kbos = []
      for line in lines:
          if len(line) == 0 or line[0] == '#':  # skip initial column descriptors and the final blank line
              continue
          kbo = ephem.EllipticalBody()
          values = line.split()
          kbo.name = values[8]
          kbo.j = values[9]
          kbo.k = values[10]
          kbo._a = float(values[0])
          kbo._e = float(values[1])
          kbo._inc = float(values[2])
          kbo._Om = float(values[3])
          kbo._om = float(values[4])
          kbo._M = float(values[5])
          kbo._H = float(values[6])
          epoch = ephem.date(2453157.50000 - ephem.julian_date(0))
          kbo._epoch_M = epoch
          kbo._epoch = epoch
          kbos.append(kbo)
      return kbos