Abstract: A balanced ranging and synchronization (R&S) system for a master(M)-slave satellite pair including a clock, a transmitter, a receiver, a time difference measuring device and a calculating device on both M and S. Each satellite transmits timing signals synchronized to its clock, receives the timing signals from the other satellite and measures the time difference between the transmission and reception of the timing signals. The time difference measured on each satellite is then transmitted to the other satellite. The caluculating device on each satellite utilizes these time difference measurements to calculate the asynchronism between the clocks and the range between the satellites. Finally the S clock is adjusted so that the asynchronism is reduced to within predetermined limits.