Title :
Update on the In-Orbit performances of GIOVE clocks
Author :
Waller, Pierre ; Gonzalez, Francisco ; Binda, Stefano ; Sesia, Ilaria ; Tavella, Patrizia ; Hidalgo, Irene ; Tobias, Guillermo
Author_Institution :
ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Abstract :
The Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element (GIOVE) is an experiment led by the European Space Agency (ESA) aimed at supporting the on-going implementation of Galileo, the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Among others, the objectives of the GIOVE mission are the validation and characterization of the on-board clock technologies. The today baseline technologies for on-board clocks are the rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS) and the passive hydrogen maser (PHM). Both technologies have been validated and qualified on ground and are now being further validated in a representative in-orbit environment on-board two spacecrafts, GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B. This paper presents the results obtained on both spacecrafts, after more than three years (GIOVE-A) and almost one year (GIOVE-B) of operation.
Keywords :
atomic clocks; satellite navigation; space vehicles; European Global Navigation Satellite System; European Space Agency; GIOVE-A; GIOVE-B; Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element clocks; baseline technologies; in-orbit performances; on-board clock technologies; passive hydrogen maser; rubidium atomic frequency standard; spacecrafts; Atomic clocks; Energy consumption; Frequency; Global Positioning System; Hydrogen; Masers; Prognostics and health management; Satellite navigation systems; Space technology; Space vehicles;
Conference_Titel :
Frequency Control Symposium, 2009 Joint with the 22nd European Frequency and Time forum. IEEE International
Conference_Location :
Besancon
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-3511-1
Electronic_ISBN :
1075-6787
DOI :
10.1109/FREQ.2009.5168207
