Rubidium atomic clock approved for Beidou   

中國研制新一代高精度星載銣原子鐘 服務北斗導航

記者11日從中國航天科工集團公司第二研究院獲悉，該院203所為北斗導航衛星研制的新一代高精度星載銣原子鐘已順利通過總體驗收，達到中國國內星載銣原子鐘研制的最高水平。

Beijing (CNS) -- A new rubidium atomic clock has passed muster for the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, according to an expert at the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) on Monday.

Ten clocks in five batches have been installed in the satellites of the Beidou system.

The rubidium atomic clock is the heart of a satellite navigation system. Compared with atomic clocks used on Earth, higher standards and technology are needed to develop clocks for satellite navigation systems, the expert said.

Institute No. 203 of CASIC began research and development on the clock in 2004. It is the only institute in China to carry out research on atomic clocks with hydrogen, rubidium and cesium.