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Navigation system

Deep Space Atomic Clock

A miniaturised, ultra-stable atomic clock small enough to fly on a spacecraft. By putting precise timekeeping onboard, it enables one-way radiometric navigation — the spacecraft can determine its own position without the round-trip to a ground clock — a technology demonstrated in Earth orbit.

Sources

The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.

  • NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration

    Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.

    Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.

  • NASA JPLJet Propulsion Laboratory / Solar System Dynamics

    Orbital data, ephemerides, and small-body parameters for planets, asteroids, and comets.