The process of determining a spacecraft's position and course of travel using various sensors and instruments.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion: These laws explain the motion of planets and other celestial bodies around the sun.
Orbital Mechanics: Orbital mechanics is the study of the motion of spacecraft in orbit around the Earth or other celestial bodies.
Astrodynamics: Astrodynamics is the study of the motion of spacecraft in space, including trajectories, propulsion systems, energy transfer, and more.
Celestial mechanics: This is the branch of astronomy that deals with the study of the motions of celestial objects, such as planets, stars, and galaxies.
Satellite Navigation: Satellite navigation is the use of satellite-based technology to provide precise location and time information to spacecraft.
Control systems: Control systems are the systems that govern the direction, speed, and other parameters of spacecraft motion.
Attitude determination and control: Attitude determination and control ensure that a spacecraft is positioned properly for its mission.
Distance measurement: Measurements of distance made by spacecraft rely on a range of technologies, including radar, laser rangefinders, and optical technology.
Communication: Communication systems are essential for transmitting data, commands, images, and other information between spacecraft and ground stations on Earth.
Power systems: Power systems provide the energy needed to operate spacecraft, using technologies such as solar panels, batteries, and fuel cells.
Thermal control: Thermal control systems are essential for maintaining the temperature of spacecraft and their various components.
Propulsion systems: Propulsion systems help spacecraft move through space, using technologies such as rocket engines, ion thrusters, and other advanced technologies.
Guidance and navigation: Guidance and navigation systems help ensure that spacecraft reach their destination by providing precise direction and speed information.
Ground support systems: Ground support systems include the entire infrastructure needed to launch, track, and communicate with spacecraft, including launch pads, ground stations, and control centers.
Inertial Navigation Systems: These are self-contained onboard systems that use accelerometers and gyroscopes to calculate the position, velocity, and attitude of the spacecraft.
Star trackers: These are optical systems that use stars for cross-referencing and tracking the spacecraft's position and attitude.
Global Positioning System (GPS): A network of satellites that can determine the position and velocity of spacecraft in orbit.
Deep Space Network (DSN): A network of antennas that communicate with spacecraft in deep space using radio waves.
Laser Ranging Interferometry (LRI): A technique that uses laser beams to measure the distance between two points in space with extreme precision.
Doppler Systems: These systems use the Doppler effect to measure changes in the frequency of radio signals transmitted to and from the spacecraft.
Celestial Navigation: This involves using celestial bodies, such as stars, planets, and the sun, to determine the position and orientation of a spacecraft.
Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS): These are systems that use sensors and thrusters to control the orientation and stability of a spacecraft.
Radiometric Tracking: This technique uses radio waves to measure the distance and velocity of a spacecraft.
Optical Navigation: This technique involves using cameras and other optical sensors to determine a spacecraft's position and orientation relative to the surrounding environment.
Autonomous Navigation: These are systems that allow spacecraft to determine their position and trajectory without relying on ground-based communication or guidance.
Interference Pattern Tracking: A technique that uses the interference patterns created by high-frequency radio waves to determine the position and velocity of a spacecraft.
Mission Design and Planning: This involves predicting the trajectory of a spacecraft and optimizing flight paths to achieve specific mission objectives.
Ground-based Navigation Support: This includes the use of ground-based tracking systems, such as radar and telescopes, to monitor and guide spacecraft during their mission.
Space-based Navigation Support: This includes the deployment of navigation aids in space, such as GPS or other navigation systems, to assist spacecraft during their missions.