Emission coordinates for the navigation in space

TL;DR

This paper presents a general method for space navigation using pulsar signals, deriving emission coordinates from pulse counts and timing, with considerations for relativistic effects and potential applications to satellite constellations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to space navigation based on pulsar emission coordinates, accounting for relativistic and environmental factors.

Findings

Method provides accurate localization based on pulse counting and timing.

Deviations from flat spacetime can be effectively modeled and corrected.

Applicable to both deep space navigation and Earth satellite constellations.

Abstract

A general approach to the problem of positioning by means of pulsars or other pulsating sources located at infinity is described. The counting of the pulses for a set of different sources whose positions in the sky and periods are assumed to be known, is used to provide null emission, or light, coordinates for the receiver. The measurement of the proper time intervals between successive arrivals of the signals from the various sources is used to give the final localization of the receiver, within an accuracy controlled by the precision of the onboard clock. The deviation from the flat case is discussed, separately considering the different possible causes: local gravitational potential, finiteness of the distance of the source, proper motion of the source, period decay, proper acceleration due to non-gravitational forces. Calculations turn out to be simple and the result is highly positive. The method can also be applied to a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth.