Historical Review of Atomic Frequency Standards Used in Space Systems - 10 Year Update

Leo A. Mallette, Pascal Rochat, Joseph White

Abstract:	A 1996 paper estimated “that the total number of space-borne atomic frequency standards (AFS) is no more than several hundred” [1, p. 24]. The number of atomic frequency standards in space was dominated by the GPS, GLONASS, and Milstar satellite constellations. In this paper, we present an update to the historical review of the AFSs used in space systems. We will briefly review the systems existing in 1996, and add the newer systems (Galileo, GPS IIR and IF, GLONASS-M, Cassini-Huygens, AEHF, and QZSS) and potential space systems (PARCS, PHARAO, Beidou) using atomic frequency standards. We have estimated that there have been a total of 452 atomic frequency standards launched into orbit for use on communications and scientific payloads. We conclude the paper with a review of the 1996 predictions for future AFSs and discuss the future as seen in 2006.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 38th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 7 - 9, 2006 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	69 - 80
Cite this article:	Mallette, Leo A., Rochat, Pascal, White, Joseph, "Historical Review of Atomic Frequency Standards Used in Space Systems - 10 Year Update," Proceedings of the 38th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, December 2006, pp. 69-80.
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