January Was One Hell of Month in Spaceflight

This striking scanning electron microscope image presents an intimate view of a check glass floor, a part of a venture to reinforce the lifespan of atomic clocks in navigation satellites. The plasma-etched options, every lower than 10 micrometres throughout, are essential for the operation of those extremely correct clocks. They operate by inducing switches between an atom’s power states utilizing mild, laser, or maser power (a tool that produces and amplifies electromagnetic waves), resulting in the emission of a steady microwave sign at a selected frequency. This microscopic picture, a part of an ESA venture with Safran, shows conical patterns from etching and plasma results, aiming to reinforce area atomic clock reliability. The accuracy of navigation satellites hinge on exact timekeeping, as positions are decided by multiplying sign journey occasions by the velocity of sunshine.