Novel Time Synchronization techniques for Deep Space Probes

New initiatives both for manned and unmanned exploration of the Moon and Mars have stimulated investigations on time synchronization due to its central role in communication, navigation and time stamping of scientific experiments. In the framework of the European Space Agency (ESA) project Novel Time Synchronization Techniques for Deep Space Probes (Syndee) two novel algorithms are proposed for locking a low-cost on-board oscillator (Space Clock) to the ground station reference clock. Performances of these Novel techniques are assessed via simulations in three mission scenarios: Moon Mission, Mars Mission and Deep Space Mission.