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A Space-Based Autonomous Timekeeping Method Based on Onboard Atomic Clocks and Inter-Satellite Measurements.

Guangyao Chen^1,2, Shanshi Zhou¹, Xiaogong Hu¹

¹Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200030, China.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)

|May 13, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) can now use autonomous space-based timekeeping. This approach enhances system reliability by using onboard atomic clocks and inter-satellite links for precise time synchronization, improving resilience against ground disruptions.

Keywords:

BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS-3)hydrogen maser inter-satellite link (ISL)space-based atomic timescale space-based timekeeping

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Published on: June 25, 2021

Area of Science:

Satellite Navigation Systems
Timekeeping and Metrology
Aerospace Engineering

Background:

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) traditionally rely on ground control for time reference, ensuring UTC traceability and interoperability.
Advances in atomic clock stability and inter-satellite time transfer (ISL) enable autonomous space-based timekeeping.
The BeiDou-3 (BDS-3) system features high-performance hydrogen masers and Ka-band ISL, crucial for precise time transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and validate a space-based autonomous timekeeping approach for GNSS constellations.
To enhance the resilience and reliability of GNSS time maintenance, especially during ground disruptions.
To generate accurate satellite clock offset predictions for improved navigation services.

Main Methods:

Developed a space-based autonomous timekeeping strategy combining high-precision ISL synchronization with a hydrogen maser ensemble.
Implemented a space-ground cooperative strategy to steer the space-based timescale (TA(SPACE)) to the BeiDou Time (BDT).
Utilized in-orbit BDS-3 clock offset data for performance evaluation and clock parameter product generation.

Main Results:

In autonomous mode, the time offset between TA(SPACE) and BDT was maintained within 25.06 ± 41.47 ns over 90 days.
In space-ground cooperative mode, satellite-ground steering stabilized the offset to within 10 ns.
The approach demonstrated practical feasibility for constellation time maintenance under various conditions.

Conclusions:

The proposed space-based timekeeping approach offers a resilient solution for GNSS time maintenance.
Autonomous and cooperative strategies significantly improve time stability and reliability.
This advancement enhances the overall robustness and dependability of global navigation satellite services.