Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are developing a highly accurate atomic clock for use on the International Space Station. The clock will leverage microgravity to observe cesium atoms for extended periods, resulting in a projected 10 times greater accuracy than Earth-based clocks.
The space clock will enable experiments in fundamental physics, such as gravitational red-shift measurements and tests of the speed of light consistency. It will also improve GPS satellite orbit determination and the realization of the second, the SI unit of time.
The NIST project, led by Donald Sullivan and Neil Ashby, includes Nobel laureate William Phillips and other experts. Funding of $150,000 for the first year of a five-year development phase has been awarded by NASA, with additional funding for subsequent years. The clock is expected to be ready for space deployment in five to seven years.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/1998/01/atomic-clock-space-reach-new-heights-accuracy
Keywords: Atomic Clock, Cesium, Microgravity, Laser Cooling, Precision Timing
