Project Daedalus: the navigation problem.

The navigational requirements for an interstellar probe are assessed with reference to the British Interplanetary Society's Project Daedalus study. The mission is described in terms of the requirements placed on the navigation system and estimates are given of the accuracy and sensitivity necessary in the navigational instruments. A description is given of the parallax and velocity effects on the navigational environment and the problem of detecting planets in the target system is considered. It is concluded that there are no fundamental problems in developing the Daedalus navigation system that could not be overcome in the normal process of technological development.