Position and Time Determination without Prior State Knowledge via Onboard Optical Observations of Delta Scuti Variable Stars

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel autonomous navigation method using optical observations of delta Scuti stars to determine a spacecraft's position and time without prior state knowledge, addressing the lost in space and time problem.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach leveraging onboard optical observations of delta Scuti stars for autonomous navigation without additional equipment.

Findings

Position accuracy within 0.03 au (3σ) achieved in less than a day of observation.

Time determination accuracy within 3 seconds (3σ) achieved in less than a day.

Method enables recovery from lost in space and time scenarios without external communication.

Abstract

We present a navigation concept for solving the lost in space and time problem using optical observations of $\delta$ Scuti variable stars. Only a small number of techniques exist that allow a spacecraft to recover from being lost in both space and time, which can be caused by a failure of the onboard clock and navigation systems. Optical observations of $\delta$ Scuti stars, which can be collected onboard from star trackers or navigation cameras, may enable autonomous position and time determination without requiring additional equipment or external communication. Our results indicate that less than one day of observation by the OSIRIS-APEX PolyCam may enable position and time determination accuracy within 0.03 au (3$\sigma$) and 3 seconds (3$\sigma$).