Sensor for Small Satellite Relative PNT in Deep-Space

Josiah DeLange, Seth Frick, Joel Runnels, Demoz Gebre-Egziabher, and Kale Hedstrom

Abstract:	A prototype sensor designed to use of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) as signals of opportunity for relative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT)in deep-space applications is described. GRBs are intense and aperiodic electromagnetic emissions which can last from a few fractions of a second to hours in length. What makes them suitable for navigation is that they are ubiquitous and can be sensed easily. The design of and results from laboratory testing of a prototype GRB sensor known as the Gamma Ray Burst Incidence Detector (GRID) is presented. Concept of operation for relative PNT using GRBs in CubeSat missions is also described.
Published in:	Proceedings of IEEE/ION PLANS 2016 April 11 - 14, 2016 Hyatt Regency Hotel Savannah, GA
Pages:	955 - 963
Cite this article:	DeLange, Josiah, Frick, Seth, Runnels, Joel, Gebre-Egziabher, Demoz, Hedstrom, Kale, "Sensor for Small Satellite Relative PNT in Deep-Space," Proceedings of IEEE/ION PLANS 2016, Savannah, GA, April 2016, pp. 955-963. https://doi.org/10.1109/PLANS.2016.7479794
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In