The performance of a navigator using a hand-held sextant to measure the angle between a moving flashing light and a simulated star has been investigated in the Ames Midcourse Guidance and Navigation Simulator. The primary-variables were the rate of angular motion of the flashing light and the frequency and on time characteristics of the flashing light. Performance criteria were the standard deviation of the measurement data and the bias of the measured angle compared to the true angle. Measurements were made from a stationary sighting station and from a sighting station simulating spacecraft oscillatory motion.nAn effective technique was developed for training navigators to measure accurately with a sextant. This technique uses measurement error feedback to the operator subsequent to each measurement to inform him of his error and to aid him in improving his subsequent measurements. The performance during this experiment indicates that an experienced navigator using a hand-held sextant during rendezvous navigation may obtain data with an accuracy of better than 60 arc seconds.
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