Space Exploration Vehicles: Innovations in Propulsion and ‎Autonomous Navigation

  • Authors

    • Debarghya Biswas Assistant Professor, Department of CS & IT, Kalinga University, Raipur, India
    • Dhablia Dharmesh Kirit Research Scholar, Department of CS & IT, Kalinga University, Raipur, India
    • Dr. Komal Khatter Associate Professor, New Delhi Institute of Management, New Delhi, India
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ddqmsv22

    Received date: May 2, 2025

    Accepted date: May 29, 2025

    Published date: October 31, 2025

  • Deep Space Propulsion; Ion and Nuclear Propulsion; Autonomous Navigation; Artificial Intelligence in Spaceflight; Inertial Navigation ‎Systems; Inter-planetary Missions

  • Abstract

    Future deep space missions use technology that combines propulsion system advancements with autonomous navigation. Chemical ‎propulsion systems can’t handle excessive fuel consumption and tasks that go beyond the short term. Ion propulsion and nuclear propulsion ‎deliver better specific impulse and fuel efficiency for near-fast interplanetary flight. The ion propulsion on NASA’s Dawn spacecraft ‎extends mission duration while using less fuel than conventional systems, but nuclear power generates enough power to explore ‎interplanetary space. Modern automated navigation is a critical system to minimize human intervention when operating spacecraft over long ‎distances. Extended missions have trouble keeping real-time Earth communication links due to mission distance, which introduces signal ‎delay problems. When spacecraft integrate inertial navigation with star trackers and artificial intelligence, their computers can do real-time ‎tasks like trajectory changes and mission changes, and space obstacle avoidance‎.

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  • How to Cite

    Biswas, D. ., Kirit , D. D. ., & Khatter, D. K. . . (2025). Space Exploration Vehicles: Innovations in Propulsion and ‎Autonomous Navigation. International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 14(SI-1), 409-413. https://doi.org/10.14419/ddqmsv22