X-ray pulsar-based navigation

X-ray pulsar-based navigation and timing (XNAV) is a theoretical navigation technique whereby the periodic X-ray signals emitted from pulsars are used to determine the location of a spacecraft in deep space. A spacecraft using XNAV would compare received X-ray signals with a database of known pulsar frequencies and locations. Similar to GPS, this comparison would allow the spacecraft to triangulate its position accurately (±5 km). The advantage of using X-ray signals over radio waves is that X-ray telescopes can be made smaller and lighter.[1][2]

SEXTANT (Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology) is a NASA-funded project being developed at the Goddard Space Flight Center that will test XNAV on-orbit on board the International Space Station in connection with the NICER project. It is currently planned for 2017.[3][4]

On 9 November 2016 the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched an experimental pulsar navigation satellite called XPNAV 1.[5][6] XPNAV-1 will characterize 26 nearby pulsars for their pulse frequency and intensity to create a navigation database that could be used by future operational missions. The satellite is expected to operate for five to ten years. XPNAV-1 is the first pulsar navigation mission launched into orbit.

References

  1. ↑ Commissariat, Tushna (4 June 2014). "Pulsars map the way for space missions". Physics World.
  2. ↑ "An Interplanetary GPS Using Pulsar Signals". MIT Technology Review. 23 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "NASA Builds Unusual Testbed for Analyzing X-ray Navigation Technologies". NASA. 20 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "The Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR Mission". NASA. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  5. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "XPNAV 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  6. ↑ "Chinese Long March 11 launches first Pulsar Navigation Satellite into Orbit". Spaceflight101.com. 10 November 2016.

External links


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