Nowadays, deep-space navigation strongly depends on ground segments, e.g., ESA’s European Space Tracking and NASA’s Deep Space Network. However, the positioning accuracy of ground-based navigation systems decreases with the distance from the Earth, significantly increasing the positioning uncertainty for interplanetary missions. Furthermore, ground-based navigation systems require extensive ground operations, and their limited bandwidth could lead to a point of full utilization in the future. The aim of this work is to introduce—for the first time—the concept of space navigation by optical pulsars, a novel technology that aims at overcoming the limits of ground-based navigation systems. This paper presents, first, an introduction to satellite navigation by using pulsars, discussing on the physical and timing properties of optical pulsars. Then, it investigates on the timing techniques allowing to reconstruct, process, and make use of a pulsar signal, leading to a position estimation. Finally, it reports the results of a clock error estimation performed on ground with real pulsar data and a first estimation of the achievable positioning accuracy in a simulated highly elliptical orbit around the Earth.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Deep Space Navigation by Optical Pulsars


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2023-08-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Deep Space Navigation Using X-Ray Pulsars

    Yang, Bo / Liu, Ling-Ke | Tema Archive | 2012


    Navigation in space by x-ray pulsars

    Emadzadeh, Amir Abbas / Speyer, Jason Lee | TIBKAT | 2011


    Interplanetary spacecraft navigation using pulsars

    Deng, X.P. | Online Contents | 2013


    Spacecraft Navigation Using X-Ray Pulsars

    Sheikh, S.I. | Online Contents | 2006


    Spacecraft Navigation Using X-Ray Pulsars

    Suneel Sheikh / Darryll Pines / Paul Ray et al. | AIAA | 2006