X-ray pulsar-based navigation

X-ray Pulsar-based Navigation and Timing (XNAV) is a navigation technique whereby the periodic X-ray signals emitted from pulsars are used to determine the location of a spacecraft in deep space. A spacecraft using XNAV compares received X-ray signals with a database of known pulsar frequencies and locations. Similar to GPS, this comparison allows the spacecraft to triangulate its position accurately.

References

• DARPA XNAV Program Plan
• Johns Hopkins APL to Develop Deep Space Navigation Network
• US Government Contract Proposal for X-Ray Pulsar Based Navigation and Time Determination