Spacecraft Hydrogen Frequency Standard/Clock System.

摘要

This report covers the development of a Feasibility Demonstration Model of a Hydrogen Clock. A flight model design based on knowledge gained from evaluation of the Feasibility Demonstration Model would have applications as the primary time standard in the NTS-3 satellite and future generations of NAVSTAR Satellites. The design was configured to achieve the best performance within the contractually specified maximum envelope size of 16 in (40.64 cm) diameter by 30 in (76.2 cm) long. A flight model based on the same novel design concepts, but using a shorter cavity of dimensions similar to those successfully used in many masers could be packaged in an envelope 14 in (35.6 cm) in diameter (or slightly less) by 20 in (50.8 cm) long, complete, including electronics. This design uses the proven active mode (maser oscillator), and a TE011 unloaded cavity. A very small maser utilizing the novel hydrogen beam optics, a loaded TE011 cavity, and operating in the passive mode is feasible. An envelope size of approximately 8 in (20.32 cm) in diameter, 16 in (40.64 cm) long, for a hydrogen clock, including the receiver electronics, is possible.