Now, a decade later, researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) are using that breakthrough as inspiration for a new project aimed at improving navigation for satellites.
They have developed a computer vision system that reliably measures the orientation of the Milky Way, which could one day lead to a back-up method of stabilising satellites in low light.
Here, Professor Javaan Chahl, who oversaw the initiative, discusses how the plan works.
Click here to listen on your device.
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