Chinese researchers have tested a new spacecraft navigation method for deep space, inspired by a concept funded by NASA. This approach, known as stellar aberration navigation, utilizes small shifts in the positions of stars to determine a probe’s speed and direction, enabling real-time autonomous navigation without constant Earth tracking.
In a recent low-Earth-orbit experiment conducted in January, the Tianhui-7 satellite employed this technique, achieving positioning accuracy within approximately 5 km (3.1 miles) — comparable to NASA’s Deep Space Network.
Given that Jupiter can be up to 900 million km from Earth, with radio signals taking over 50 minutes to travel, real-time intervention from ground controllers becomes impossible. Researchers from the China Academy of Space Technology discussed these findings in a paper set to be published in the Journal of Deep Space Exploration, highlighting the significance of this navigation method for China’s planned 2030 mission to Jupiter.
