Space-Time Reference with an Optical Link
| Autor: | Leo W. Hollberg, Michael T. Taylor, Joseph M. Kahn, Paul Berceau |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
Physics
Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous) Optical link Real-time computing FOS: Physical sciences Synchronizing General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) 01 natural sciences Atomic clock Synchronization General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 010309 optics GNSS applications 0103 physical sciences Satellite 010306 general physics Orbit determination Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM) Reference frame |
| Popis: | We describe a method for realizing a high-performance Space-Time Reference (STR) using a stable atomic clock in a precisely defined orbit and synchronizing the orbiting clock to high-accuracy atomic clocks on the ground. The synchronization would be accomplished using a two-way lasercom link between ground and space. The basic concept is to take advantage of the highest-performance cold-atom atomic clocks at national standards laboratories on the ground and to transfer that performance to an orbiting clock that has good stability and that serves as a "frequency-flywheel" over time-scales of a few hours. The two-way lasercom link would also provide precise range information and thus precise orbit determination (POD). With a well-defined orbit and a synchronized clock, the satellite cold serve as a high-accuracy Space-Time Reference, providing precise time worldwide, a valuable reference frame for geodesy, and independent high-accuracy measurements of GNSS clocks. With reasonable assumptions, a practical system would be able to deliver picosecond timing worldwide and millimeter orbit determination. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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