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SEXTANT X-Ray Pulsar Navigation Demonstration: Initial On-Orbit ResultsMillisecond pulsars (MSPs) are rapidly rotating neutron stars that appear to pulsate across the electromagnetic spectrum. Some MSPs have long-term timing stability that rivals that of atomic clocks. Pulse arrival phase can be predicted with great accuracy at any reference point in the Solar System through use of a pulsar timing model on a spacecraft. Comparing observed phase to predictions gives information that may be used in a navigation process. Why X-rays? Some stable MSPs have conveniently detectable X-ray emissions. X-rays are immune to interstellar dispersion effects thought to limit radio pulsar timing models. Highly directional compact detectors possible.
Document ID
20180001253
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Mitchell, Jason W.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Winternitz, Luke B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Hassouneh, Munther A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Price, Samuel R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Semper, Sean R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Yu, Wayne H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Ray, Paul S.
(Naval Research Lab. Washington, DC, United States)
Wolf, Michael T.
(Naval Research Lab. Washington, DC, United States)
Kerr, Matthew
(Naval Research Lab. Washington, DC, United States)
Wood, Kent S.
(Praxis, Inc. Alexandria, VA, United States)
Arzoumanian, Zaven
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Gendreau, Keith C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Guillemot, Lucas
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Annecy-le-Vieux, France)
Cognard, Ismael
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Annecy-le-Vieux, France)
Demorest, Paul
(National Radio Astronomy Observatory Socorro, NM, United States)
Date Acquired
February 15, 2018
Publication Date
February 7, 2018
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN51848
Meeting Information
Meeting: Annual American Astronautical Society (AAS) Guidance and Control Conference 2018
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: February 2, 2018
End Date: February 7, 2018
Sponsors: American Astronautical Society
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG17PT01A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Keywords
Navigatio
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