Cesium Frequency Standard

This atomic clock was built for the first GPS satellites in the late 1970s. Each satellite contains a suite of such clocks to maintain the correct frequencies to transmit signals for time and position. Based on the element cesium, this clock underwent extended miniaturization and testing to become useful in space.

Caption:
This atomic clock was built for the first GPS satellites in the late 1970s.
Type: Artifact
Image Date: December 20, 2012
Credit: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Origin: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Creator: Dane A. Penland
NASM2013-00433
Navigation Methods
 

nasm2013-00433.jpg

This atomic clock was built for the first GPS satellites in the late 1970s.