The accuracy analysis of the spacecraft autonomous navigation system based on X-ray pulsars

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. This article introduces an analysis of the spacecraft autonomous navigation system accuracy, utilizing signals emitted from the X-ray pulsars. Based on the principle of the X-ray navigation, visibility of X-ray pulsar on L1 sun-observation orbit was simulated. The influence of the geometry distribution and the pulsar angle position error was analyzed. Error sources of the navigation system were listed, including the measurement error of the X-ray detector, transformation error of time-of-arrival (TOA), and the navigation calculation error, and the simulations of their parts were shown.