Abstract. Soon after the advent of atomic clocks 50 years ago, their unprecedented uncertainties and their widespread use required that the definition of time scales and clock comparison procedures be considered rigorously within the theoretical framework of general relativity. We review the present procedures and show that the current relativistic modelling is adequate for the need of clocks and time transfer techniques. Accounting for the expected improvements in clock and time transfer technology, we investigate some possible implications in relation to the relativistic models.

Print publication: Issue 3 (June 2005)
Received 7 March 2005
Published 7 June 2005