How can one navigate in space? The answer to this question is given by a whole science called navigation. What is navigation, and what are its features? Where is it used? What types and systems of navigation exist?
What is navigation?
As a prologue, let’s say a word about the main thing. Initially, navigation was understood as the specifics of controlling a ship in order to get from point A to point B. But in the 20th century, during the significant acceleration of scientific and technological progress, new objects appeared: aircraft and space ships, complex cars that could overcome hundreds and thousands kilometers. In this regard, new meanings of the word appeared. What is navigation in the modern sense? What is she like?
Now navigation is a process of controlling a certain object that has its own means of transportation in a certain coordinate system. It consists of two interconnected parts:
- Theoretical basis of the practically applied methods for managing objects.
- The choice of the optimal path of movement in space, routing from point A to point B.
Types of navigation
Although a little time has passed since the advent of the new elements, now the variety of navigation is amazing. At the moment, 11 types are distinguished:
- Car navigation. This technology is used to calculate the optimal route for ground transportation on existing roads due to the presence of visual and possibly voice prompts. As a toolbox, a special car map is used. There may be operational information about traffic jams (in the best examples of equipment, such as a radio with navigation). But then you also need to connect to some service that collects such data.
- Astronomical navigation. A method for establishing the location of aircraft and ships, which is based on light or radio emission from celestial bodies.
- Bionavigation. This is the name of the ability of animals to choose the necessary direction of movement during seasonal migrations.
- Air navigation. By it is understood applied science about the precise, reliable and safe driving in the air of a wide variety of aircraft. The navigation system in this case is a complex computer and hardware complex with which external data transmitters (satellites and antennas) work.
- Inertial navigation. A method that allows you to determine the parameters and coordinates of an object without involving external landmarks or signals.
- Informational navigation. The process of transition of a person according to logically interconnected data.
- Space navigation. Controlling the movement of an aircraft in outer space.
- Maritime navigation. It is used for navigation in various reservoirs.
- Radio navigation. It studies theoretical issues and features of practical techniques aimed at driving aircraft and ships using radio engineering devices and tools.
- Satellite navigation. A popular destination among the population. It implies the use of satellite navigation to determine their actual location and the need to move in a specific direction.
- Underground navigation. It implies the use of various means that are necessary to determine the location and direction of movement of specific underground tunneling complexes.
Types of navigation systems
In addition to the simple difference in navigation, navigation systems are also distinguished - special electronic mechanisms that are installed on board ships or vehicles to calculate the best travel route:
- Aviation navigation system.
- Car navigation system.
- Marine navigation system.
Car navigation
And in conclusion, a little will be told about the subject of the article using a well-known example of use. A small portable computer, which runs separately or as part of other equipment, can serve as a path indicator (car radios with navigation are an example).
The mechanism of action is this: a connection is established with the satellite, the coordinates of the car and its location on the map are determined. Then the shortest path is calculated and displayed on the screen. True, these mechanisms require a fairly significant amount of electrical energy (for example, a radio with navigation). Therefore, it is always necessary to keep a car battery (battery) with a high charge. Now questions that such navigation should not remain.