NAVSTAR Atomic Frequency Standard Constellation Status Update

Stephen W. Bolt

Abstract:	The Navigation Tactics and Payload Analysis section within 2 SOPS is responsible for maintaining the atomic frequency standards on-board GPS satellites. Within the last year six clock swaps have occurred. This points out the increased volatility of an aging constellation. With these swaps, the current Rubidium to Cesium ratio is the greatest that it has ever been. Along with the current configuration, future considerations include the growing Rubidium to Cesium ratio and the growing number of Block IIR satellites in the constellation. The focus of this paper will be to update users of the growing concerns of an aging Block II/IIA constellation.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2000) September 19 - 22, 2000 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	2539 - 2542
Cite this article:	Bolt, Stephen W., "NAVSTAR Atomic Frequency Standard Constellation Status Update," Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 2000), Salt Lake City, UT, September 2000, pp. 2539-2542.
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