What are satellite clocks?

Satellite clocks are super-accurate timekeepers that live on satellites high above Earth.

Imagine you have a really fancy watch that never loses a second, even if it’s been running for years! That’s kind of what satellite clocks are like. They keep track of time so precisely that they can help your phone, GPS, or even your mom's microwave know exactly where you are or when to beep.

Think of satellite clocks as teachers in a big classroom. Every second, they send out messages saying, “It’s 12:00:00!” All around the world, other devices, like your phone, listen for these messages and use them to figure out exactly where you are.

These clocks are extra precise because they’re not affected by Earth’s busy life, like traffic or bad weather. They stay calm and steady up in space, making sure everything on the ground stays in sync too!