Atomic frequency standards play a critical role in many space systems. The most notable examples are the satellite navigation systems (GPS and GLONOSS). The excellent navigational accuracy of these systems is largely due to the outstanding performance of the on-board cesium and rubidium atomic frequency standards. Future navigation systems will have atomic standards with even improved performance than the current ones. A new generation of military communication satellites-(Milstar) carry on-board multiple redundant rubidium atomic frequency standards which have been designed to meet stringent performance and operational requirements. We have over 3 years of on-orbit performance data of a Crystal Master Oscillator (XMO) on-board the 1" Milstar satellite and over 18 months of on-orbit performance data of a Rubidium Master Oscillator (RMO) on-board the 2nd Milstar satellite. 2 RMOs were also placed on long-term life tests in a simulated, space-like environment. In this paper we present data on the long-term on-orbit performance of an XMO and an RMO on-board the Milstar satellites. In addition to the frequency stability we also present long-term data of 2 parameters which critically influence the RMO performance, light intensity from the Rb resonance lamp and the RMO temperature. These along with many others are telemetered to ground. We also compare the on-orbit data with the ground life test data. Our goal is to get some insight into the physics of longterm aging of the rubidium atomic frequency standards.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    On-orbit performance of Milstar rubidium and quartz frequency standards


    Contributors:
    Bhaskar, N.D. (author) / Matt, A.D. (author) / Russo, N. (author) / McClelland, T. (author) / Bloch, M. (author) / Meirs, M. (author)


    Publication date :

    1997


    Size :

    9 Seiten




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Rubidium atomic frequency standards for the Milstar satellite payload

    Hardy, James / McClelland, Thomas / Bhaskar, Natarajan et al. | AIAA | 1995


    Development of a rubidium frequency standard for the MILSTAR satellite system

    McClelland, T. / Pascarn, I. / Meirs, M. | Tema Archive | 1987


    Milstar DFS-1 On-Orbit Test Results

    Ayotte, P. / Fields, R. / AIAA | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    MILSTAR DFS-1 On-Orbit Test Results

    Ayotte, P. / Fields, R. / AIAA | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1994


    Milstar - Flight One performance

    Ayotte, Pete / Fields, Rick | AIAA | 1994