Astronomy / Space NASA: X-Ray Timing "GPS for deep space"

[Zenith]

Okay, this is cool in a geek way!

GPS on Earth uses a constellation of satellites in orbit providing a radio time signal to determine your exact location to within a small margin.
NASA took the idea and used x-ray measurements from pulsars to provided the fixed timing points.
They hoped to get it accurate to within 10 miles at 17,500 mph.
They got it accurate to within 3 miles on the first trial!

"We're doing very cool science and using the space station as a platform to execute that science, which in turn enables x-ray navigation," said Keith Gendreau, NICER principal investigator, who presented the findings on Thursday this week at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Washington. "The technology will help humanity navigate and explore the galaxy."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/01/12/nasa_space_gps/
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/nasa-team-first-to-demonstrate-x-ray-navigation-in-space
https://gameon.nasa.gov/projects/deep-space-x-ray-navigation-and-communication/

 

[Patrick_68000]

Thanks for the share Commander

 

[Manticore]

Very cool indeed!