Menlo Systems Lands Multimillion Euro Space Comb Contract for CRONOS Mission

Menlo Systems has been commissioned to supply the optical frequency comb for the CRONOS (Compact Rubidium Oscillator for Navigation Systems Onboard a Satellite) mission, led by the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin), which aims to demonstrate one of the world’s first miniaturized optical clocks operating in space.

The CRONOS payload combines cutting-edge photonic and laser technologies to achieve ultra-precise timing in a compact, space-qualified format. Its core consists of a miniaturized rubidium two-photon optical frequency reference, developed by FBH and HU Berlin, which operates at 778 nm and fits within a package of less than half a liter. Menlo Systems’ space-grade optical frequency comb supplies, controls, and characterizes this optical reference, transferring the exceptional stability of the optical transition to radio frequencies, where it can be compared with a GPS-stabilized reference oscillator. With a volume of less than 7 L and power consumption under 55 W, including control electronics for the optical reference, this comb is deployment-ready for a microsatellite-based mission.

The frequency comb is based on Menlo’s patented figure 9® mode-locking technology, known for its ultra-low noise, robustness, and long-term stability, which are essential features for space applications. The CRONOS project marks an important step toward compact optical clocks for next-generation satellite navigation and deep-space missions, potentially improving global positioning accuracy and timekeeping far beyond current microwave standards. With its central role in this mission, Menlo Systems further reinforces its position as a leading supplier of frequency combs and a key enabler of optical clock technology for space applications.

Funded by the German Space Agency (DLR) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), CRONOS is a collaboration between FBH, HU Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Menlo Systems.