NASA to test atomic clock to keep space missions on time

If you thought the Apple watch was something to write home about, take a look at NASA's Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC). This miniaturized, ultra-precise mercury-ion atomic clock is described by the space agency as "orders of magnitude more stable than today's best navigational clocks," and is smaller and more accurate than any that's been previously sent into space. In 2016, it will fly on a test mission to demonstrate a technology that NASA sees as key to a number of high-priority Earth-orbit and deep space missions... Continue Reading NASA to test atomic clock to keep space missions on time

Section: Space

Tags: Chronometer, Clock, Communications, GPS, NASA, Navigation, Spacecraft

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from Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine http://ift.tt/1Jb4ybL