THE ROLE OF X-RAYS IN FUTURE SPACE NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATION

In the near future, applications using X-rays will enable autonomous navigation and time distribution throughout the solar system, high capacity and low power space data links, highly accurate attitude sensing, and extremely high precision formation flying capabilities. Each of these applications alone has the potential to revolutionize mission capabilities, particularly beyond Earth orbit. This paper will outline the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center vision and efforts toward realizing the full potential of X-ray navigation and communications.