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Glite Dictionary
SCLK

SCLK

9.9
A clock on a spacecraft that gives the time used to schedule its actions
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : SCLK
  • The system automatically converts event times into SCLK format for onboard logging.

Examples

  • When transmitting commands, the onboard SCLK ensures precise event scheduling.

  • Engineers compare ground-based time with the SCLK to synchronize spacecraft data.

  • The SCLK is crucial for mission timing.

  • We need to synchronize with the SCLK.

  • Engineers compare ground-based time with the SCLK to ensure all spacecraft operations are synchronized.

  • The onboard computer uses the SCLK to log event times accurately during the mission.

  • Before sending instructions, the team checks the SCLK to maintain precise timing for spacecraft commands.

Synonyms

clock time
vsSCLK
1 2.3

Time shown by a clock or watch, not how you feel it

applies this idea specifically as the spacecraft operations standard
spacecraft clock time
vsSCLK
  • Specialized
8.1

Time shown by a clock on a spacecraft used to schedule activities

uses the onboard clock itself as the operations time standard
spacecraft event time
vsSCLK
  • Specialized
8.8

The time on a spacecraft used to record or plan events

relies on the onboard clock reading rather than UTC for operations

Surface Forms

SCLK singular
SCLKs plural

Morphology

SCLK = spacecraft + clock (opaque) = S + C + L + K

SCLK is an initialism formed from the initial letters of a multiword technical term; learners cannot derive the meaning from the letters alone without knowing the expansion.

Etymology

The word SCLK is short for spacecraft and clock, so you can think of it as the spacecraft's own 'watch'. That's why SCLK is the onboard time used to schedule events and keep data in sync for spacecraft operations.