Deep Space Atomic Clock Poster - red version - Visions of the Future Collection

Deep Space Atomic Clock Poster - red version - Visions of the Future Collection

Image Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Free Download this Image

Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC)

Since the 1950s, the gold standard for timekeeping has been ground-based atomic clocks. These clocks measure very stable and precise frequencies of light emitted by specific atoms, using them to regulate the time kept by more traditional mechanical, quartz crystal clocks. This results in a clock system that can remain ultra-stable over decades. While ground-based atomic clocks are phenomenally accurate, their designs are too bulky, power hungry and sensitive to environmental variations to be practical for spaceflight. They need to be miniaturized and toughened in order to venture off our planet.
Atomic clocks, like those used in GPS satellites, are used to measure the distance between objects by timing how long it takes a signal to travel from Point A to Point B. For space exploration, atomic clocks must be extremely precise: an error of even one second can mean the difference between landing on Mars or missing it by hundreds of thousands of miles. Up to 50 times more stable than the atomic clocks on GPS satellites, the mercury-ion Deep Space Atomic Clock loses one second every 10 million years, as proven in controlled tests on Earth. Now, it’s testing that accuracy in space.

Available options are as follows:

Poster Print 

A loose, rolled up, poster print, supplied in a cardboard tube. Printed on 190 g/m² SIHL ROCKET satin poster paper with archival pigment inks.

Sihl Rocket Paper Specs

Canvas Print

Printed on 350gsm Archival Cotton Canvas with archival pigment inks. Supplied rolled up in a cardboard tube. Ready for easy transport.

Canvas Stretched

Printed on 350gsm Archival Cotton Canvas with archival pigment inks and then stretched and folded over a 40mm deep MDF stretcher frame. Ready to hang.

White Framed

Printed on 190 g/m² SIHL ROCKET satin poster paper with archival pigment inks. Framed with a classic and narrow 20mm width white synthetic frame. This option includes 3mm clear glass, 3mm MDF backing and string. Ready to Hang. 

Black Framed

Printed on 190 g/m² SIHL ROCKET satin poster paper with archival pigment inks. Framed with a classic and narrow 20mm width black synthetic frame. This option includes 3mm clear glass, 3mm MDF backing and string. Ready to Hang. 

Please Note

These are not stock items, they are produced on order. Our standard lead time is 1 week.

Orders for loose prints and loose canvases can be sent countrywide via Postnet to Postnet  for R99.00.

Framed posters and canvases can be collected from our store.

We can also print specific sizes and frame any of these prints in any other frame of your choice.

Click here for other framing options.

Contact us for specific custom options.