TIME TRANSFER BY LASER LINK – THE T2L2 EXPERIMENT ON JASON-2 AND FURTHER EXPERIMENTS

Abstract

The new generation of optical time transfer will allow the synchronization of remote ultra stable clocks and the determination of their performances over intercontinental distances. The principle of T2L2 (Time Transfer by Laser Link) is based on the techniques of satellite laser ranging coupled with time-frequency metrology. It consists of synchronizing ground and space clocks using short laser pulses travelling between ground clocks and satellite equipment. The instrument will be integrated on the ocean altimetry satellite Jason-2 that is scheduled for launch in 2008. The experiment should enhance the performance of time transfer by one or two magnitudes compared to existing microwave techniques such as GPS and Two-Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer (TWSTFT).