Impact of Atomic Clocks on Navigation, Communication, and Science

Giovanni Busca

Abstract:	An analysis of the development of atomic clocks during the last decade shows that the applications, particularly where related to GPS, have grown at a rate much faster than the clock development itself. However, improved clock performances and reliability are expected to be determinant for future applications in navigation, communication, and science. This problem is illustrated considering five basic topics. The first is the relevance of space atomic clock, a subject certainly noncontroversial in the Time and Frequency (T&F) community. The second and third topics are more provocative and concern, respectively, the alternative to the use of space atomic clocks in satellite navigation systems and the associated important issue of the atomic clock lifetime. The fourth topic is an ideal program towards the realization of high performances and reliable space atomic clocks. Finally, the last topic is a review of the flight opportunities for atomic clocks around the year 2000.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 3 - 5, 1996 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	11 - 24
Cite this article:	Busca, Giovanni, "Impact of Atomic Clocks on Navigation, Communication, and Science," Proceedings of the 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, December 1996, pp. 11-24.
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