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PARCS: NASAs Laser-Cooled Atomic clock in Space

Published

Author(s)

Donald Sullivan, Neil Ashby, Elizabeth A. Donley, Thomas P. Heavner, Leo W. Hollberg, Steven R. Jefferts, William Klipstein, David Seidel, D. J. Phillips

Abstract

The PARCS (Primary Atomic Reference Clock in Space) mission is designed, not only to perform certain tests of relativity theory, but also to demonstrate space-clock technology that may prove useful as an international standard of frequency and time and for space exploration of the Moon and beyond. After a short review of the project, this paper presents a brief description of the considerations that have led to the specific design parameters chosen for the PARCS mission.
Citation
Advances in Space Research
Volume
36

Keywords

atomic clock, cesium clock, laser-cooled clock, relativity theory, space clock, tests of relativity theory

Citation

Sullivan, D. , Ashby, N. , Donley, E. , Heavner, T. , Hollberg, L. , Jefferts, S. , Klipstein, W. , Seidel, D. and Phillips, D. (2005), PARCS: NASAs Laser-Cooled Atomic clock in Space, Advances in Space Research, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=30012 (Accessed October 9, 2025)

Issues

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Created December 1, 2005, Updated February 17, 2017
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