Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #32267: Tick Tock in Orbit: Clock Technology Experiments in Space

Timekeeping is fundamental to everything from scientific experiments to navigation systems. But what happens when you bring clocks into the zero-gravity environment of space? That’s what students from Brethren Christian School set out to find in collaboration with Space Tango during Expedition 59/60.

Their experiment focused on quartz clocks and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to see how microgravity and radiation affect timekeeping accuracy and reliability. Quartz clocks work based on the consistent vibration of quartz crystals. MEMS clocks, on the other hand, use tiny mechanical elements to measure time.

In space, the absence of gravity and the presence of cosmic radiation can potentially alter these mechanisms. Would the clocks drift in time? Would their components degrade faster?

The team sent a controlled setup to the ISS containing both types of clocks. Over the course of the mission, they collected data on performance metrics like drift rate, signal strength, and temperature sensitivity.

Preliminary findings revealed that quartz clocks remained surprisingly stable, while MEMS devices exhibited some unexpected behavior. These insights help improve our understanding of how precision instruments behave in harsh environments.

This student-driven experiment not only advanced space science but also inspired young minds to think critically about engineering and physics. It showed that even high school students can contribute to the cutting edge of aerospace research.

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