Phase referencing technique: A new direction of radio interferometry in deep space navigation

To improve the positioning accuracy for deep space probes, this paper presents the basic principle of radio imaging firstly, and then establishes the phase referencing model for them. Phase referencing technique can determine the accurate location of a probe. Measured data of Cassini were analyzed to evaluate the feasibility and possible accuracy of it. The results show that the position accuracy of Cassini is better than 0.5 milliarcsecond (mas), indicating the promising future of this technique in deep space navigation.