Spacecraft navigation based on X-ray pulsar observation simulator

An autonomous and secure navigation system is needed for the spacecraft in future deep space missions. X-ray pulsar offers the possibility of autonomous navigation anywhere in the solar system. A spacecraft position estimation issue was introduced in this paper, which based on utilizing signals emitted from X-ray pulsars. A basic principle utilized X-ray pulsar is described. Although a celestial probe should be sent to test and prove this idea before it was accepted as per the exact science regularity, an X-ray pulsar observation simulator was designed and commissioned instead, which created measurements, considering the suitability and effectiveness of the method as well as the cost and the duration of the experiment. During the process, Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) based information fusion method is proposed. This paper focuses on the Mars mission application. Numerical simulations were performed and a position estimation error within 800 m was obtained.