[time-nuts] Spacecraft Timekeeping

Tom Van Baak tvb at LeapSecond.com
Wed Mar 9 20:11:08 UTC 2011


> Magnus,
> 
>>Drop the receiver and antenna out of the equation and
>>just provide a timing signal on launch pad...
> 
> I need to keep computers time synchronized from launch through at least 
> arrival on orbit so that time-tagged network messages can be played back 
> with some degree of fidelity. For this, I need the time source on the 
> rocket. Using a GPSDO in holdover mode seems like a good solution.
> 
> -Kevin

Some GPSDO "learn" their hold-over parameters over time,
sometime days, in which case you may be in for a surprise.

Is there any way you can simulate the temperature, vibration,
and g-force (or lack of) trauma that the GPSDO is going to
experience during this hour of launch-to-orbit?

If not,  I suggest a simple test: just throw your GPSDO and
battery in a backpack and go jogging. Twirl the backpack in
the air every now and then. After an hour I'd be very curious
by how many microseconds it's off.

/tvb




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