In the frame of the Call for Ideas “H2020-ESA-038 GNSS Evolutions Experimental Payloads and Science Activities”,  the activity targets the design and the development of a high level architecture for an on-board atomic clock based on Rb pulsed optically-pumped approach in a vapour cell. Within this activity, the most critical required items shall be indenfitied.

It is justified by promising results already obtained with a Physics Package Engineering Model in terms of frequency stability and mass/volume.  The objective is to consolidate the clock architecture, control the full supplier chain and properly identify all critical items so to improve their maturity level.

(Image copyright Leonardo S.p.A.)