Isro develops desi atomic clock, to be used in navigation satellites

[MimophantSlayer]

Isro develops desi atomic clock, to be used in navigation satellites
Surendra Singh | TNN | Updated: May 7, 2018, 01:03 IST

TNN
Navigation satellite IRNSS-1I that was launched last month
HIGHLIGHTS

• The atomic clock is currently undergoing a series of qualification tests
• Once it successfully clears all tests, it will be used in an experimental navigation satellite to test its accuracy and durability in space

NEW DELHI: In a significant development, Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has developed an atomic clock that will be used in navigation satellites to measure precise location data. The space agency currently imports atomic clocks from European aerospace manufacturer Astrium for its navigation satellites.

Tapan Misra, director of Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre (SAC), said, “SAC has developed an indigenous atomic clock and this clock is currently undergoing a series of qualification tests. Once it successfully clears all tests, the desi atomic clock will be used in an experimental navigation satellite to test its accuracy and durability in space.”

The SAC director said, “With the development of the desi atomic clock, Isro has become one of the few space organisations in the world which have gained the capability to develop this highly sophisticated technology. We don't know the design and technology of the imported atomic clock. But the desi clock has been developed based on our designs and specifications. This clock is as good as the imported one. We are hopeful that it will easily work for more than five years.”

According to a reliable source in Isro, nine of the 21 atomic clocks used in some of the seven navigation satellites launched are showing error. Isro is, therefore, planning to launch four backup navigation satellites to keep the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC) effective. These backup satellites, which are likely to have indigenous atomic clocks too, will add buffer to the desi GPS system. “Isro will first need financial clearance from the government for the backup satellites,” says the source.

Last month on April 12, Isro successfully launched navsat IRNSS-1I to replace India's first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A, whose three atomic clocks had stopped working two years ago. IRNSS-1I thus completed the constellation of seven functional navsats needed in space to keep the NaVIC operational.

Tapan Misra said, "Atomic clocks have sophisticated technology. They could stop working because of different reasons. It's not only Indian navigation satellites, but atomic clocks in satellites of Galileo (European Union's navigation satellite system) had also failed earlier."

NAVIC was approved by the government nearly 12 years ago at a cost of Rs 1,420 crore to establish an indigenous satellite based navigation system to provide position, navigation and timing services over the Indian landmass and surrounding region extending up to 1,500 km. Though the indigenous navigation system is very much operational, it is not as popular as the American GPS in the country because the receiver and mobile chipset needed to access the desi system have not been commercialised.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...avigation-satellites/articleshow/64056352.cms

 

[ashok321]

If the EU clocks are failing. what is the likelihood of an Indian clock not failing?

United States' standard atomic clock, is said to be so accurate that it would neither gain nor lose a second in over 30 million years

 

[Jugger]

If the EU clocks are failing. what is the likelihood of an Indian clock not failing?

There is no harm in trying my dear negative friend.
One has already failed if he did not start at all.

 

[#hydra#]

Now chineChtrollers will come.

 

[seesonic]

There is no harm in trying my dear negative friend.
One has already failed if he did not start at all.

Like the amount LCA built after 30 years. Sure is a success among the Indians

 

[HariPrasad]

If the EU clocks are failing. what is the likelihood of an Indian clock not failing?

Less probabilty of failure than you being positive.

 

[ashok321]

There is no harm in trying my dear negative friend.
One has already failed if he did not start at all.

Do some justice to India make simple aero bridges first beside million other items imported from China.

Atomic clocks are not India's cup of tea.

 

[MimophantSlayer]

ISRO to test space robustness of indigenous atomic clocks this December

SAC director did not disclose the cost of the imported clocks and possible savings for ISRO once the indigenous atomic clocks take place of the imported ones. The atomic clocks were in news recently after few of them on ISRO's IRNSS failed.

• Written By Avinash Nair | Ahmedabad |
• Updated: May 16, 2018 5:46:30 pm

Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the Indian Space Research Organistaion. (Source: Isro/website)
The robustness of the indigenous atomic clocks developed by the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) will be known when one of the clocks developed at the Ahmedabad’s Space Application Centre (SAC) will be sent to outerspace in December, this year. The Indian space agency ISRO currently depends upon imported atomic clocks that helps navigational satellites measure precise locations.”

Atomic clocks are considered to be the most stable of clocks today. These clocks are made by only three or four companies in the world. This technology is very restrictive we had to import it. Now, we have started making it,” said Tapan Misra, director of SAC at the sidelines of National Technology Day celebrations organised at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Exhibition centre on Wednesday.

“The first model which is called the qualification model is currently in the testing-review phase…. By December this year we plan to send one of these clocks along with three others mounted on a satellite. Usually, three atomic clocks go with every satellite. We will be sending four, wherein the fourth one will be the one we have developed indigenously. This will help us to see how robust is our technology. The real proof of its success can be guaged by seeing how it actually functions in space,” Misra added.

The clock will be mounted on a satellite once ISRO’s Quality Assurance Group provides it with the necessary certification. However, the SAC director did not disclose the cost of the imported clocks and possible savings for ISRO once the indigenous atomic clocks take place of the imported ones. The atomic clocks were in news recently after few of them on ISRO’s IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) failed.

Talking about the IRNSS system which is expected to replace the GPS system, Misra said that ISRO has already developed a “device” to help some of the government agencies use the IRNSS navigation. “These devices are slighting costlier, but has more precision. In the next phase, we are trying to incorporate this technology in the mobiles,” Misra said adding that the IRNSS is being used by ISRO for PSLV guidance along with GPS since the last one year.

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ss-of-indigenous-atomic-clocks-this-december/