White House Instructs NASA To Establish Lunar Time Standard
The White House has instructed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a unified standard of time for the moon and other celestial bodies, with the aim to establish international norms in space amidst increasing competition among nations and private companies in lunar exploration.
According to a memo from the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) obtained by Reuters, NASA is tasked with collaborating with other U.S. government entities to create a plan by the end of 2026 for implementing what is termed as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
Due to differences in gravitational force and other factors, time unfolds differently on the moon and other celestial bodies compared to Earth. LTC would serve as a benchmark for timekeeping for lunar spacecraft and satellites requiring precise synchronization for their missions.
NASA’s space communications and navigation chief, Kevin Coggins, explained that clocks on Earth would operate at a different rate on the moon, necessitating a distinct time standard.
Under the Artemis program, NASA plans to conduct astronaut missions to the moon and establish a scientific lunar base, with various companies, spacecraft, and countries participating in the endeavour.
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An official from OSTP emphasized the importance of a unified lunar time standard for ensuring secure data transfers between spacecraft, synchronized communication between Earth and lunar entities, and accurate mapping and positioning on or around the moon.
Similar to the globally recognized Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on Earth, LTC would require a network of atomic clocks, possibly deployed on the lunar surface, to maintain precision.
As commercial activities expand to the moon, a unified time standard becomes crucial for coordinating operations, ensuring transaction reliability, and managing lunar commerce logistics.
Implementing Coordinated Lunar Time will necessitate international agreements, possibly involving existing standards bodies and the nations participating in the Artemis Accords.
The memo underlined the importance of U.S. leadership in defining a suitable standard for operating in the lunar environment, acknowledging that international cooperation is essential for its implementation.
While the United States leads in this initiative, cooperation from other spacefaring nations, including those with lunar ambitions like China and India, will be crucial in establishing Coordinated Lunar Time as a global standard.
Reuters
