Question

How does a spacecraft navigate through space?

Answer 1

The accurate navigation of space probes depends on four factors: First is the measurement system for determining the position and speed of a probe. Second is the location from which the measurements are taken. Third is an accurate model of the solar system, and fourth, models of the motion of a probe.

Answer 2

Hey there!

All spacecraft are basically controlled from the ground control centre. Some amount of navigation is also done by astronauts from inside the spacecraft. A few have special navigation equipment called AutoNav, that can steer it "on the fly". Such navigation systems use the fixed positions of space objects like stars or constellations, as well as the information relayed from the spacecraft to tell where it is located.

Once the spacecraft's position is known, the flight path is plotted and the thrusters fired to place the spacecraft in its planned location.


Hope this helps!

ße ßrainly!