Laser time-transfer facility and preliminary results from the CHOMPTT CubeSat mission. Issue 11 (1st June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ritz, Tyler; Coogan, Danielle; Conklin, John W.; Coffaro, Joseph T; Serra, Paul; Nydam, Seth; Hanson, John; Nguyen, Anh N.; Priscal, Cedric; Stupl, Jan; Zufall, Adam
• Is Part Of: Advances in space research. Volume 71:Issue 11(2023)
• Page Start: 4498
• Page End: 4520
• Publication Date: 2023-06-01
• Subjects: Time-transfer -- CubeSat -- CSAC -- ELaNa -- University of Florida -- CHOMPTT; Space sciences -- Periodicals; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 500.505
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2023.01.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0273-1177

Abstract

Abstract: The CubeSat Handling of Multisystem Precision Time-Transfer (CHOMPTT) mission is a precision timing and laser time-transfer demonstration on a CubeSat in orbit. Developed by the University of Florida in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center, the 3U CubeSat has been in orbit for over 3 years and has attempted time-transfer operations to three satellite laser ranging (SLR) facilities. Additionally, the CHOMPTT CubeSat has successfully achieved one of its two primary goals, the first-ever measurement of the relative timing performance (Allan deviation) of Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSAC) on-orbit, while time transfer operations continue. The on-orbit performance of the CSACs and host payload is consistent with pre-flight measurements on the ground, with the CSAC timing stability exceeding the manufacturer specification by roughly a factor of three, or an Allan Deviation of 100 ps over 1 s of averaging time compared to a datasheet value of 300 ps over the same timeframe. This paper discusses the CHOMPTT spacecraft's performance on-orbit relative to ground experiments performed prior to launch, as well as the design and operation of the laser ranging facility and spacecraft flight operations performed during the mission's lifetime.