Title:
X-Ray Pulsar Navigation Instrument Performance and Scale Analysis
X-Ray Pulsar Navigation Instrument Performance and Scale Analysis
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Author(s)
Payne, Jacob Hurrell
Advisor(s)
Lightsey, E. Glenn
Gunter, Brian C.
Ballantyne, David
Gunter, Brian C.
Ballantyne, David
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Abstract
This thesis investigates instruments for autonomous satellite navigation using
measurements of X-ray emissions from millisecond pulsars. A manifestation of an
instrument for this purpose, called the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer
(NICER), was launched to the International Space Station in 2017. The NICER
instrument was designed to observe X-ray emissions from neutron stars for astrophysics
research, and is out of scale in terms of volume, power consumption, mass and
mechanical complexity to be useful for small satellite missions. This work surveys the
range of existing X-ray observation missions to tabulate collecting areas, focal lengths,
and optical configurations from milestone missions which describe the evolution of the
state of the art in X-ray observatories.
A navigation demonstration experiment, called the Station Explorer for X-ray
Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT), was conducted using the NICER
instrument. The experimental performance observed from NICER through the
SEXTANT navigation demonstration is compared to theoretical predictions established
by existing formulations. It is concluded that SEXTANT benefits from soft band (0.3-4
keV) exposure to achieve better accuracy than predicted by theoretical lower bounds.
Additionally, investigation is presented on the readiness of a navigation
instrument for small satellites using compound refractive lensing (CRL) and derived
designs. X-ray refraction achieves a much shorter focal length than grazing incidence
optics at the expense of signal attenuation in the lens material. Performance estimates and
previous experimental results are presented as a baseline for physical prototypes and
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hardware testing to support future development of a physical instrument. The
technological hurdle that will enable this tool is manufacturing precise lenses on a 3-
micron scale from materials like beryllium with low atomic mass. Recent X-ray
concentrator concepts demonstrate progress towards an implementation that can support a
CubeSat scale navigation instrument optimized for soft band (0.3-4 keV) X-rays
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Date Issued
2019-12-01
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Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Masters Project
Rights Statement
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