Universe ID: 10857

SEXTANT: Navigating by Cosmic Beacon

Released on April 5, 2013

Imagine a technology that would allow space travelers to transmit gigabytes of data per second over interplanetary distances or to navigate to Mars and beyond using powerful beams of light emanating from rotating neutron stars. The concept isn't farfetched.

In fact, Goddard astrophysicists Keith Gendreau and Zaven Arzoumanian plan to fly a multi-purpose instrument on the International Space Station to demonstrate the viability of two groundbreaking navigation and communication technologies and, from the same platform, gather scientific data revealing the physics of dense matter in neutron stars.

For More Information

http://gsfctechnology.gsfc.nasa.gov/CosmicBeacon.html

Credits

Walt Feimer (HTSI): Animator
Chris Meaney (HTSI): Animator
Rich Melnick (HTSI): Video Editor
Francis Reddy (SPSYS): Narrator
Rich Melnick (HTSI): Producer
Zaven Arzoumanian (USRA): Scientist
Keith C. Gendreau Ph.D. (NASA/GSFC): Scientist
Rob Andreoli (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.): Videographer
Rich Melnick (HTSI): Writer
Francis Reddy (SPSYS): Writer
Keith C. Gendreau Ph.D. (NASA/GSFC): Writer

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center