The Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) Experiment”
- Paper number
IAC-06-A2.1.03
- Author
Mr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Rosario Nasca, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Philippe Goudy, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Christian Sirmain, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
The Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES) is one of the most challenging experiments planned, so far, for the International Space Station.
The ACES payload will test a new generation of atomic clocks in space. Unique experiments will be performed in several scientific domains including, fundamental physics (cold atoms), high-precision geodesy and global time synchronisation.
The payload comprises two clocks working in unison. The cold-caesium-atom clock PHARAO ( Projet d’ Horloge Atomique par Refroidissement d’ Atomes en Orbite) is funded by France and developed by CNES. The Space Hydrogen Maser (SHM) is funded by Switzerland via ESA’s PRODEX programme (Programme de Développement d’Expériences scientifiques) and developed by the Observatory of Neuchâtel. Both clocks will be characterised and compared in a microgravity environment to explore their ultimate performances in space.
The in-orbit accuracy of ACES is equivalent to being able to measure the exact second when the dinosaurs disappeared from Earth sixty million years ago, that is an accuracy of 10-16.
The payload will be launched onboard the ATV and accommodated in-orbit inside and outside the ESA Columbus Laboratory.
This paper will present the status, the challenges and the prospective for the implementation of this unique ISS experiment.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A2.1.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.