TITLE:
Determining Attitude and Position in Deep Space Missions Using X Ray Pulsars
AUTHORS:
Amir Moghtadaei Rad, Leila Vahid Azari
KEYWORDS:
Pulsar, Neutron Star, Attitude Determination, Positioning, Spacecraft
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics,
Vol.4 No.4,
December
19,
2014
ABSTRACT: This
paper initially reviews types of deep space navigation methods. Then, it
studies the use of pulsars as one of sources emitting electromagnetic waves in
navigation; hence more details regarding the pulsar physics and the history of
navigation using pulsars are presented. The various methods of navigation
(including radio method), their advantages and disadvantages—in comparison with
navigation using pulsars in spacecraft—are discussed. Then, the equations
necessary for calculating position and velocity of a spacecraft (such as the
arrival time of pulse from pulsar to the receiver) are introduced, and the
methods of calculating position and velocity are dealt with. Finally, two
algorithms are presented for positioning, and one for velocity. Attitude
determination follows the same simple methods presented in various articles.