Springer Navigation in Space by X-ray Pulsars

This book covers modeling of X-ray pulsar signals and explains how X-ray pulsar signals can be used to solve the relative navigation problem. It formulates the problem, proposes a recursive solution and analyzes different aspects of the navigation system. From the Back Cover This monograph on different aspects of utilizing X-ray pulsars for navigation of spacecraft in space contains two unique features. First, it provides a solid mathematical formulation for the absolute and relative navigation problems based on use of X-ray pulsar measurements. Second, it presents a comprehensive framework for signal processing techniques needed to obtain the navigation solution. Navigation in Space by X-ray Pulsars opens with background knowledge on pulsars and a review of the literature on pulsar-based navigation. It then presents the navigation problem and develops the X-ray pulsar signal models, formulating and analyzing the pulse delay estimation problem through these models. It proposes different pulse delay estimators and, using these estimators, provides a recursive algorithm to obtain the navigation solution. Closing with suggestions for future work in the field, this monograph is aimed at students, researchers and industry practitioners involved with new space navigation techniques. About the Author Dr. Emadzadeh is a design engineer with Vantage Surgical Systems Inc. As a student he won the UCLA graduate division fellowship award in 2005. Jason Speyer is a Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering with a joint appointment in Electrical Engineering. He received his B.S. degree in (Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT in 1960 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University in 1965 and 1968. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.