New Delhi, May 25 (IANS). The world of space is full of mystery and adventure. Be it making water in space several hundred kilometers away from Earth or other small and big things, these leave people in awe. Deciding a path in space is also a similar question. Astronauts use modern technology as well as traditional methods for navigation in space. The stars act as a navigation system for them.
Crew member of the Artemis-2 mission of the American space agency NASA and astronaut Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency recently explained how the help of stars is taken in steering the Orion spacecraft. Whether going to the Moon or traveling to other planets millions of kilometers away, it is very important to reach the right place after such a long distance. If even a slight mistake occurs, the spacecraft can either collide with the planets or get lost somewhere in space. Therefore navigation is one of the most important aspects.
Astronauts use two main methods to find their position. The first way is help from the earth. The Mission Control Center located on Earth tracks the spacecraft with the help of its various systems and keeps sending continuous information to the astronauts about their exact position, speed and direction.
Another and very interesting method is to take the help of stars. Spacecraft are equipped with special systems which can take pictures of stars. These systems also study the position of the Moon and its shadow. Also, by calculating based on date and time, we find out where the spacecraft is in space and at what speed it is moving.
Jeremy Hansen said that the spacecraft flies in automation mode most of the time, but if needed, astronauts can also control it manually. In addition to instructions from Mission Control, they can also direct their own course using the stars.
Now the question is why are stars so important? Astronauts say that there is no road, no mark or any landmark in space. In such a situation, the stars act as a stable and reliable guide. For centuries, sailors have been finding their way through the ocean with the help of stars. Now astronauts are also using the same principle with modern equipment.
–IANS
MT/AS
