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Galileo Satellites Are Experiencing Multiple Clock Failures (bbc.com)
elgatozorbas writes: According to a BBC article, the onboard atomic clocks that drive the satellite-navigation signals on Europe's Galileo network have been failing at an alarming rate. From the report: "Across the 18 satellites now in orbit, nine clocks have stopped operating. Three are traditional rubidium devices; six are the more precise hydrogen maser instruments that were designed to give Galileo superior performance to the American GPS network. Each Galileo satellite carries two rubidium and two hydrogen maser clocks. The multiple installation enables a satellite to keep working after an initial failure. All 18 spacecraft currently in space continue to operate, but one of them is now down to just two clocks. Most of the maser failures (5) have occurred on the satellites that were originally sent into orbit to validate the system, whereas all three rubidium stoppages are on the spacecraft that were subsequently launched to fill out the network. Esa staff at its technical centre, ESTEC, in the Netherlands are trying to isolate the cause the of failures - with the assistance of the clock (Spectratime of Switzerland) and satellite manufacturers (Airbus and Thales Alenia Space; OHB and SSTL). It is understood engineers have managed to restart another hydrogen clock that had stopped. It appears the rubidium failures 'all seem to have a consistent signature, linked to probable short circuits, and possibly a particular test procedure performed on the ground.'"
Quality Test #87: Can you bend the circuit card more than 10 degrees? If so, to what degree?
If you think I voted for Trump because of this post, you're wrong. I voted for Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party. Again.
I blame systemd.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
... with the assistance of the clock (Spectratime of Switzerland) ... manufacturer
Seems to be a big blow to the Swiss clock makers' reputation for accuracy and reliability. But rejoice. Maybe those Swiss watches will start to sell for more realistic prices...
Disclaimer: This post is intended to produce whooshing.
Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
Answer: Each time, I can bend it a little more. I ended the test when I reached 180 degrees. I was unable to go past 180 degrees due to a physical limitation.
Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
These failures would never have happened with an H5 chronometer. Maybe they should launch with one of those as an additional backup.
Just not the British though.
Why don't the British build satellites?
Because they haven't figured out how to make them leak oil yet!
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.