Self-Navigation
The
spacecraft is capable of self-navigation during its travels via the use
of an AutoNav system like that employed by the NASA mission Deep Space
1. This AutoNav system will operate about once per week and acquire
optical navigation images using a camera and imaging spectrometer to
take pictures of the surrounding asteroids and stars to determine its
location. The apparent position of asteroids and near objects against
the backdrop of much more distant stars will allow AutoNav to calculate
its position. Having this self-navigation capability will keep from
having to maintain constant communication with Earth throughout its
mission to Epsilon Eridani.
The
AutoNav system will be connected to an engine control system that will
be capable of steering the spacecraft should it veer of course during
the 78,000 year travel time. AutoNav will be programmed with a
real-time simulation of the universe and will keep track of the changes
in position of the major celestial bodies that it will use for
navigation on its journey to Epsilon Eridani.
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