Game Changing Development
Station Explorer for X-Ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT)
Project Introduction
Use millisecond period X-ray emitting neutron stars (Millisecond Pulsars) as beacons to enable GPS-like autonomous navigation anywhere in Solar System and beyond. Explore utility of pulsar-based time scale, and potential to maintain clock synchronization over long distances
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Anticipated Benefits
NASA funded: Demonstrate real-time, on-board X-Ray navigation (XNAV) for first time Enable GPS-like autonomous navigation capability available throughout the Solar System, and possibly beyond Enhance Deep Space Network (DSN) capability to serve more missions by augmenting autonomous navigation information Dual-purpose the Neutron-star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) mission for both fundamental science and demonstrate future navigation technology.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, MD |
| Amptek | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| BRE (Moog) | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| Cateni, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | |
| CrossTrac Engineering, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Mountain View, CA |
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Houston, TX |
| Luxel Corporation | Supporting Organization | Industry | Friday Harbor, WA |
|
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, AL |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Supporting Organization | Academic | Cambridge, MA |
| Microcosm, Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Hawthorne, CA |
| Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) | Supporting Organization | U.S. Government | Washington, DC |
| NOQSI Aerospace, ltd | Supporting Organization | Industry | Pine, CO |
| Okean Solutions | Supporting Organization | Industry |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Alabama
-
Maryland
-
Texas
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
Responsible Program:
- Game Changing Development
Project Management
Project Duration
Start: Jun 2011
End: Aug 2018
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 3 |
| Current: | 3 |
| Estimated End: | 8 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 5 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TA 5.6 Revolutionary Concepts
- TA 5.6.1 X-Ray Navigation
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 5 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TA 5.4 Position, Navigation, and Timing
- TA 5.4.2 Onboard Auto Navigation and Maneuver
Target Destinations
Others Inside the Solar System, Outside the Solar System
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