A new X-ray pulsar navigation system for Deep Space Exploration

The DeepSpacePULSE project aims at studying the viability of an autonomous Pulsar X-ray Navigation unit that will improve by an order of magnitude almost all aspects of previous similar systems, making these satellite positioning devices competitive in both the public and private space market. Pulsars are astrophysical objects, namely the final result of the supernova explosions of very massive stars.

We have detected thus far about three thousand pulsars in our Galaxy, but we know this is only the tip of the iceberg of their entire population. Pulsars are perfect clocks with unprecedented stabilities, making them a perfect GPS system in space.

The DeepSpacePULSE Pulsar Navigation System is expected to be an efficient, small and light navigation unit to be mounted in future space missions.

This novel navigation technique has been recently tested on the International Space Station, and can be used within our own Solar System (reducing costs with respect to more standard positioning systems), but also for future deep-space navigation.

Travelling in deep-space is currently limited by the required power to exchange information with Earth, in particular concerning the satellite positioning system and orbit determination.

The first step for a future deep-space exploration, is to develop the technology that will allow any space mission to be able to guide the spacecraft autonomously.

DeepSpacePULSE, using this ERC PoC Lump Sum, wants to perform a feasibility study for a new concept of an autonomous X-ray pulsar navigation system expected to weight about 10kg, be as big as a microwave oven, and using a new pulsar observation plan that will possibly permit to keep the satellite autonomous positioning stable for a few centuries.