Interplanetary Autonomous Navigation with Pulsars, Year 1
Project Description
We will develop an automated precision pulsar timing program at the DSN to provide monthly high SNR pulsar ephemerides in radio wavelength for SExTANT. These ephemerides along with SExTANT measurements in X-ray will be used to obtain position and velocity estimates of the spacecraft. We are also aiming to develop a fully Bayesian approach to spacecraft state estimation, including pulsar colored noise term and the integer cycle ambiguity problem. This method is expected to result in greater accuracy in state estimates and should also allow for cold start scenarios.
More »Anticipated Benefits
We are aiming to position JPL to make a significant and unique set of contributions to NICER: provide precision pulsar timing models via radio observations, and a fully Bayesian state estimation package that would enhance the navigation solutions beyond the SExTANT baseline estimation package.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) | Lead Organization | FFRDC/UARC | Pasadena, California |
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
| University of Southern California (USC) | Supporting Organization | Academia | Los Angeles, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
-
Maryland
