NASA to send 'futuristic space clock' to guide future astronauts

NASA is set to launch its Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) in late 2017. This may eventually improve the precision and quantity of data used by scientists to analyse various aspects of planets.

The DSAC was eventually integrated into the Surrey Orbital Test Bed (OTB) spacecraft at the Surrey Satellite Technology (SST) in Englewood, Colorado on Feb. 17. According to a NASA press release, the DSAC will be smaller, lighter and more precise than previous atomic clocks sent to space. The clock will enable the space organisation to track its spacecraft using a "one-way" system.

This allows astronauts in the spacecraft to take their own tracking measurements. An onboard nagivation system will allow them to determine their path.

Most spacecraft are tracked using a "two-way" method. An antenna on Earth will be sending a signal to the spacecraft. Afterwards, the spacecraft will return the same signal.

The navigation team stationed in NASA will be measuring how long the signal travels, which will help them determine the spacecraft's distance. This will help them figure out the spacecraft's flight path and check if its course needs alterations.

The new "one-way" system will also be able to provide astronauts with their position and velocity without waiting for NASA to send them data. This will allow NASA's Deep Space Network satellites to monitor more spacecraft.

According to the SST website, the OTB satellite will carry five demonstration payloads for a variety of organisations, including NASA. It is set to launch on the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

Aside from the DSAC, the SST will carry its own primary payload to test its new electronic components. It will also carry new Modular Solar Arrays and the Integrated Miniaturized Electrostatic Analyzer of the US Air Force.

Lastly, it will also carry the Colorado University Surrey Project of the University of Colorado, Boulder. This is a data collection and storage experiment comprised of off-the-shelf parts.