Rubidium atomic clock approved for Beidou   

中国研制新一代高精度星载铷原子钟 服务北斗导航

记者11日从中国航天科工集团公司第二研究院获悉，该院203所为北斗导航卫星研制的新一代高精度星载铷原子钟已顺利通过总体验收，达到中国国内星载铷原子钟研制的最高水平。

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.