NASA has been assigned by the White House to establish a unified time standard for the Moon and other space bodies by 2026. This decision was made due to the increasing competition in space exploration, referred to as the “Moon race.” In order to develop a plan for this unified time standard, NASA will collaborate with other U.S. government departments.
The initiative, known as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), aims to synchronize spacecraft and communication systems with Earth. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, the agency plans to send astronauts to the Moon and establish a scientific lunar base. With numerous companies, spacecraft, and countries involved in these efforts, having a single time standard is crucial for secure data transfers between spacecraft and synchronized communications among various entities.
Kevin Coggins, NASA’s space communications and navigation chief, emphasizes the importance of having a unified time standard by comparing it to the disruption caused by unsynchronized clocks on Earth. He highlights that different gravitational forces and other factors on the Moon and celestial bodies can affect the flow of time and its perception relative to Earth time. For instance, an Earth-based clock would appear to lose an average of 58.7 microseconds per Earth day for someone on the Moon, leading to discrepancies in time perception.
The absence of a coordinated lunar time standard can result in errors in mapping and positioning on or around the Moon. LTC would provide a time-keeping benchmark for lunar spacecraft and satellites that require extreme precision for their missions. To achieve this, the suggestion is made to place atomic clocks on the Moon’s surface, similar to the ones used on Earth based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
With businesses expanding to the Moon, a single time standard becomes crucial for organizing operations, ensuring reliable transactions, and managing lunar trade logistics. The proposal of placing atomic clocks on the Moon’s surface is compared to the role of atomic clocks at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, which synchronize various activities within the nation.
Implementing Coordinated Lunar Time will require international agreements and coordination with existing standards bodies. The Artemis Accords, a pact involving 36 nations that outlines how countries act in space and on the Moon, will play a significant role in these efforts. Notably, China and Russia, the main rivals of the United States in space exploration, have not signed the Artemis Accords.
In conclusion, the establishment of a unified time standard for the Moon and space bodies by NASA is a significant step in advancing space exploration efforts. Coordinated Lunar Time will enable secure data transfers, synchronized communications, and precise mission planning. International agreements and cooperation among nations will be necessary to implement this unified time standard, with the Artemis Accords serving as a framework for collaboration. As businesses expand to the Moon, having a single time standard will be essential for efficient operations and managing lunar trade logistics.
