Update on the In-Orbit performances of GIOVE clocks

The Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element (GIOVE) is an experiment led by the European Space Agency (ESA) aimed at supporting the on-going implementation of Galileo, the European Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Among others, the objectives of the GIOVE mission are the validation and characterization of the on-board clock technologies. The today baseline technologies for on-board clocks are the rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS) and the passive hydrogen maser (PHM). Both technologies have been validated and qualified on ground and are now being further validated in a representative in-orbit environment on-board two spacecrafts, GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B. This paper presents the results obtained on both spacecrafts, after more than three years (GIOVE-A) and almost one year (GIOVE-B) of operation.