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NASA NTRS · 20150001353

Station Explorer for X-Ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT)

Mitchell, Jason W.
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Abstract

The Station Explorer for X-ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT) is a NASA funded technology- demonstration. SEXTANT will, for the first time, demonstrate real-time, on-board X-ray Pulsar-based Navigation (XNAV), a significant milestone in the quest to establish a GPS-like navigation capability available throughout our Solar System and beyond. This paper describes the basic design of the SEXTANT system with a focus on core models and algorithms, and the design and continued development of the GSFC X-ray Navigation Laboratory Testbed (GXLT) with its dynamic pulsar emulation capability. We also present early results from GXLT modeling of the combined NICER X-ray timing instrument hardware and SEXTANT flight software algorithms.

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Mitchell, Jason W.. 2015-01-05. Station Explorer for X-Ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT). https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20150001353

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