SEXTANT FOR SPACE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30178, 9 July 1963, Page 16

SEXTANT FOR SPACE

In thi? age of radar and electronic navigation aids it may seem surprising to learn that a variant of the familiar sextant, one of mankind's oldest navigation instruments, is being developed for use in space. But radar and other electronic devices have been known to fail when they are most needed and with this thought in mind Dr. Donald 11. Novak, senior staff engineer with the Martin Company, has devised a Trisextant which, with nothing else besides pencil and paper and a bock of tables, will enable an astronaut to determine his position anywhere in our solar system—a region which contains an awful lot of space to get lost in! The conventional mariner’s sextant focuses on two objects at a time, usually the sun (or a star) and the horizon. If used in space a mini-

mum of six readings would be necessary, together with so much complex mathematics that a high-speed computer would be essential. Novak's Trisextant, on the other hand, sights on three objects simultaneously by means of an arrangement oi mirrors, with the result that only two measurements need be made in order for the space voyager to determine his flight path. For example, on a voyage to Mars the astronaut might sight on the sun, earth and Venus • and check his accuracy by sighting on the sun, Mars and Venus.

Representatives Appointed. —The Gazette names the following persons appointed as producers' representatives on the Canterbury Raspberry Marketing Committee: Messrs P. W. N. Townshend. W. T. Harvey, L. H. Harrow, and C. A. Harrow.