X-ray Pulsar-Based PNT

Natural clocks provide position and timing information independent of GPS

AT A GLANCE
What are pulsars?
Pulsars are neutron stars, born in
supernova explosions. They pack
more than the mass of the Sun into
a sphere about the size of the DC
Beltway. They can spin on their axis
up to 700 times per second!
MIGHTI flight instrument and part of the
How does pulsar PNT work? instrument team at NRL
A timing model can predict the
arrival times of pulses to
microsecond accuracy over a period
of years. By comparing the
measured time to the predicted time,
position and time information can be
derived, in a natural analog to GPS.
The Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) is an externally attached payload on the
What will it accomplish? International Space Station (ISS). NRL uses NICER for high-precision timing of X-ray pulsars and
demonstrations of pulsar-based navigation, in collaboration with NASA/GSFC. [Photo Credit: NASA]
X-ray signals from pulsars can
provide an autonomous source of
time and position information that Objectives: Millisecond pulsars are Nature’s most stable clocks. Our goal is to discover
can be used without regular contact and characterize as many as possible and understand the astrophysics that limit their
to the ground and totally ultimate stability. We are exploring applications of pulsars as GPS-independent sources of
independent of GPS. positioning, navigation and timekeeping (PNT) information.

Space Science Division (SSD) SSD Approach:

The SSD's focus is to discover,
develop, and demonstrate
innovative technologies, methods,
and products that are needed to
ensure robust access to space-
associated capabilities of critical
importance. The Division combines
assimilative environmental
specification and forecast models
and related optimized suites of
remote and in situ sensors, with
scientific theory and analysis, and
operationally derived performance
metrics, to increase technology
readiness and foster transition.
nrl.ssd.code7600@nrl.navy.mil
Currently, NRL and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center are collaborating on the first
real-time, onboard demonstration of pulsar-based navigation and timekeeping, called
SEXTANT. This work, funded by ONR and NASA developed the flight software algorithms
for pulsar navigation and demonstrated them using the NICER experiment on the
International Space Station (ISS). Using the data from NICER as well as ground-based
radio measurements, we are characterizing the ultimate accuracy limits of a pulsar-based
system and probing the fundamental physics of neutron stars and gravitational waves in
the Universe. The first in-flight demonstration, in November 2017, succeeded in
determining the orbit of the ISS to an accuracy of better than 10 km for several days using
only pulsar measurements.
Payoff:
Having an independent source of PNT information can increase resiliance by allowing
critical systems to continue to function through periods when GPS becomes unavailble for
any reason.

XNAV APRIL 2019 WWW.NRL.NAVY.MIL