The Operational Performance of Hydrogen Masers in the Deep Space Network

Samuel C. Ward

Abstract: Spacecraft navigation to the outer planets (Jupiter and beyond) places very stringent demands upon the performance of frequency and time (F&T) reference standards. The Deep Space Network (DSN) makes use of hydrogen masers as an aid in meeting the routine T&T operational requirements within the 64 - antenna network (one antenna each in Goldstone, California; Madrid, Spain, and Canberra, Australia). The operational syntonization (frequency Synchronization) requirement is a 13 x 10-15 between any two 64-m Deep Space Stations (DSS) and a :1 x 10-12 between any 64-m DSS to UTC (NBS). The clock (epoch) synchronization requirement is :20 US 64-1 DSS between any two 64- DSS, and -20 ws offset between any 64- DSS to the UTC (NBS) epoch. Both the sync and the synt were established through use of a specially callbrated H-P E21-5061A Flying Clock. The sync/synt to UTC is being maintained using LORAN and TV in the simultaneous reception mode. The sync/synt within the 64-1 net is maintained through the use of Very Long Base Interferometry (VLBI). Results as of October, 1980 indicate the hydrogen masers are performing within the required specifications. However two problem areas remain that affect operations performance: (1) there is insufficient control over the environment in which the reference standards reside and, (2) frequency drift makes it very difficult to maintain the 64- DSS to 64-m DSS synt over the 130-day period required by the flight project.
Published in: Proceedings of the 12th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting
December 2 - 4, 1980
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
Pages: 615 - 631
Cite this article: Ward, Samuel C., "The Operational Performance of Hydrogen Masers in the Deep Space Network," Proceedings of the 12th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Greenbelt, Maryland, December 1980, pp. 615-631.
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