space sextant

[innovine]

I read that the Gemini missions used a space sextant to calculate their orbital parameters, and when doing rendezvous. Also, Apollo used it to confirm their orbital parameters too.

Would this be a useful addition to the IVA view? I don't really know how the sextant works, and would welcome the learning challenge Would it be possible to take readings and calculate approximate orbital parameters based on how accurate you are? Perhaps a small control panel where you enter the angles and times you record and it displays orbital predictions? For those of us who like flying realistically, it might be pretty cool to only have an approximate orbit, and not really be certain of it, and to refine the predictions as you approach the Mun/space station or whatever... seeing where you are on the map is all very nice, but I'm guessing it's more exciting and challenging when you are taking readings and estimations only..

Suggestions welcome, please! Could this work in game and be fun and educational? If there are achievements added to KSP, manual navigation could count towards a few of them.

[innovine]

I found the following article which basically pans the use of sextants as, at best, 'satisfactory'. Still though, I wonder if it wouldn't be fun to try use one?

http://fer3.com/arc/m2.aspx/Space-sextants-FrankReed-oct-2010-g14170

[JosephL]

I agree.  The use of an astronomical sextant would be fun and might even be useful.  Perhaps a shout out to the master modders is in order.