Abstract: A light beam or other electromagnetic medium is emitted, guided, and received, all within a unitary system frame. The beam retains its characteristics regardless of position or motion of the frame in which it propagates. The beam retains its position in space relative to the detection of motion of the frame. Because the frame and the beam emitted within it are in the same frame of reference, characteristics of their motion are compared to determine parameters including system velocity and planetary velocity which is useful in navigation. Position, orientation, displacement, velocity of an object in motion, and changes in these parameters relative to previous values thereof, are derived from information provided within and directly by the motion of the unitary system itself.