Hand Held Celestial Navigation

Under this proposed Phase II SBIR program, Arete will develop, install, demonstrate, and deliver portable Tactical Celestial Navigation System (TCNS) prototypes enabling Special Operations Forces (SOF) warfighters to navigate in GPS contested environments.  Modern navigation systems are heavily reliant on communication with orbital satellites to maintain positional awareness and orientation.  The TCNS prototypes will utilize advanced celestial-based navigation, in a light weight, handheld form factor, to serve as an alternate when primary GPS systems are denied (due to a variety of situations such as intentional or unintentional radio frequency interference, signal attenuation from local terrain, or malfunctions on the satellite). TCNS will operate based on century’s old astronavigation practice using angular measurements between celestial bodies and the visible horizon to determine Operator location.