Rubidium Atomic Clock for Galileo

Abstract

The overall performance of navigation payloads is dependent on the performance of the on-board clocks. Better stability leads directly to improved space segment autonomy and simplified ground segment operation. The European Space Agency supports the development of advanced atomic clocks in the frame of its Technology Demonstration Program and more recently under the GNSS-2 program. Two major activities are currently running with the aim fully space-qualifying a Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) and a Space Hydrogen Maser (SHM). The development activity for the Rubidium clocks is driven by the following major design goals: * Mass < 1 Kg * Short-term Stability (100s) < 5 x 10(exp -13), flicker floor 5 x 10(exp -14) * Volume < 1 ltr. Special emphasis has been placed on reliability for a 10-year mission. This article presents the status of the rubidium development program and focuses on the significant design goals and results obtained to date.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA490205

Entities

People

  • A. Jeanmaire
  • F. Emma
  • P. Rochat

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atomic Clocks
  • Automatic Gain Control
  • Clocks
  • Discharge Lamps
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Standards
  • Global Navigation Satellite Systems
  • Measurement
  • Navigation
  • Navigation Satellites
  • Radiation
  • Radiation Shielding
  • Range Finding
  • Rubidium
  • Space Systems
  • Standards

Readers

  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites