Türkiye successfully launches domestically built rubidium atomic clock into orbit

Türkiye has successfully launched its domestically developed rubidium atomic clock into space, marking a significant step in its National Space Program. The Rubidium Atomic Frequency Standard (RAFS) was sent into orbit aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 mission, with the first signal from the spacecraft received successfully, Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced on Friday.

Technology and Strategic Importance

Atomic clocks measure time with extreme precision by using the constant frequency of atoms as they transition between energy levels, with rubidium oscillating approximately 6.8 billion times per second. The technology is critical for regional positioning and timing systems, as well as for satellite communications, navigation applications and scientific missions. Until now, such technology has been procured from abroad.

Collaboration and Future Capabilities

The clock was developed under the leadership of the Turkish Space Agency, with TÜBİTAK's National Metrology Institute as the main contractor and contributions from TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute and ITÜNOVA. The technology will be tested aboard a CubeSat in space, providing data for future satellite systems. Kacır said that once orbital validation is completed, Türkiye will join the countries possessing space-proven atomic clock technology, strengthening its domestic capabilities and reducing foreign dependence.