Satellites and spacecraft like the Voyagers and the Artemis use a combination of different navigation techniques to determine their position and stay on course. These techniques include:
- Inertial navigation: This involves using onboard sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, to measure the spacecraft's velocity and orientation relative to a known starting point.
- Celestial navigation: This involves taking sightings of celestial objects, such as stars or planets, and using these sightings to determine the spacecraft's position relative to the celestial sphere.
- Radio navigation: This involves using signals from Earth-based radio transmitters or satellites to determine the spacecraft's position relative to the transmitter or satellite.
- Optical navigation: This involves using cameras and other optical sensors to observe nearby objects, such as asteroids or other celestial bodies, and using these observations to determine the spacecraft's position relative to the object.
- Mid-course correction burns are performed by firing the spacecraft's thrusters to adjust its trajectory. These burns are typically planned in advance and are based on the spacecraft's current position and the desired final destination.
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