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The entry for Lucy in Wikipedia's Selection of Discovery Mission 13 and 14; Finalists says:

The mission will make use of the Deep Space Atomic Clock.81

81https://www.universetoday.com/122822/surveying-the-fossils-of-planet-formation-the-lucy-mission/

The Universe Today article says only:

NASA has also offered an additional \$5 to \$30 million in funding if mission planners choose to incorporate a laser communications system, a 3D woven heat shield, a Deep Space atomic clock, and/or ion engines.

and the linked Deep Space Atomic Clock article does not mention Lucy, nor is the mission mentioned in any of the questions below nor their answer.

Question: So I'd like to ask: How will Lucy "make use" of a deep space atomic clock?


Deep Space Atomic Clock Q&A that don't currently mention Lucy:

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  • $\begingroup$ More about Lucy: Where can I read about Lucy's complete propulsion system? $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Feb 5, 2021 at 4:00
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    $\begingroup$ I look forward to that answer! My guesses are the following: with a DSAC the frequency of the onboard telecommunication system will be drastically more precise. This can enable one-way ranging, better resolution for ranging data when tracking the spacecraft, and probably higher communication bandwidth (less error correction bits). $\endgroup$
    – ChrisR
    Feb 5, 2021 at 5:35
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    $\begingroup$ @ChrisR and by collecting "an additional \$5 to \$30 million in funding" :-) $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Feb 5, 2021 at 5:36
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    $\begingroup$ Speculation: the extra funding might be to fly a technology demonstrator developed at NASA. It could bring an advanced prototype from TRL6 to TRL9 (the highest level). $\endgroup$
    – ChrisR
    Feb 5, 2021 at 5:44

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