Precision Global Navigation Satellite System Relative Navigation & Timekeeping for Miniaturized Distributed Space Systems
Project Description
The goal of this project is to provide unprecedented precision real-time absolute and relative navigation capabilities to formations of nanosatellites using signals offered by modern Global Navigation Satellite Systems. The 0.5U system and associated software is capable of integration with most satellites to provide peer-to-peer decentralized navigation accuracy at the centimeter-level over separations up to hundreds of kilometers. The ability for each small spacecraft to know the relative positions of the other spacecraft in the formation with high precisions is desirable in several mission types including remote sensing, communication, and proximity operations.
More »Anticipated Benefits
This technology can be used to enhance proximity operations within Earth orbit and could help constellations of nanosatellites to precisely correlate distributed scientific observations and to coordinate spacecraft flying in formation to produce a distributed aperture.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University (Stanford) | Lead Organization | Academia | Stanford, California |
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
| Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems Inc. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Irvine, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
-
Maryland
