Station Explorer for X-Ray Timing and Navigation Technology (SEXTANT)

Completed TRL 7 (started at 3, targeting 7)

Description

Enable GPS-like autonomous navigation in Solar System, and beyond, using millisecond period X-ray emitting neutron stars (Millisecond Pulsars) as beacons. Explore utility of pulsar-based time scale, and potential to maintain clock synchronization over long distances

Benefits

Autonomous navgation available anywhere in the Solar System and beyond, reduce load on space networks.

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Network-Provided Position, Navigation, and Timing > Revolutionary PNT Technologies
Program	Game Changing Development (GCD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2011-06-01
End date	2019-01-15

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Jason W Mitchell — jason.w.mitchell@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.