Lunar Co-ordinated Time
In a historic first, the White House has tasked NASA with developing a lunar timekeeping system, according to a memo issued from the head of the US Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSST) on Tuesday.
NASA has been given until the conclusion of 2026 to collaborate with both domestic and international agencies in establishing what’s being referred to as Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
The memo sent by OSTP chief Arati Prabhakar stressed the need of LTC, saying for someone on the moon, an Earth-based clock would seem to lag behind by approximately 58.7 microseconds per earth day on average, accompanied by additional periodic variations exacerbating the disparity between lunar and Earth time.
In a statement to The Guardian, Kevin Coggins, NASA’s top communications and navigation official, highlighted, “The pacing of an atomic clock stationed on the moon differs from that of one on Earth. It’s imperative that when exploring other celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars, each maintains its distinct temporal rhythm.”
NASA has been ordered to work with Departments of Commerce, Defence, State and Transportation for drawing up the final draft on the time zone by December 31, 2026. With planned moon missions like the Artemis program, Nasa intends to establish a lunar base in the future. Space experts agree that a lunar base will potentially be the next big step in space exploration. The moon’s lower gravity will facilitate easier space launches, while its resources, like water ice, support life and fuel production. The lunar base will also serve as a potential stepping tool for deep space missions, preparing astronauts for voyages to Mars and beyond
The Artemis mission will be NASA’s first astronaut lunar landings since the end of the Apollo program in the 1970’s.
The need for LTC
Steve Welby, the deputy director for national security at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, emphasized the critical need for establishing standardized timekeeping systems for celestial bodies as NASA, private companies, and international space agencies embark on missions to destinations like the moon and Mars. Ensuring safety and accuracy in these endeavours is paramount.
When compared to an Earth-based clock, a clock positioned on a celestial body like the moon will exhibit a noticeable difference in its timekeeping due to factors such as gravitational variations and relative motion. This discrepancies in time are challenging synchronized communications among earth, lunar satellites, bases and astronauts, and further highlights the necessity of developing celestial time standards to accurately synchronize operations and mitigate potential risks.
As cis-lunar operations continue to expand, aligning these missions in terms of time reference is becoming increasingly crucial for NASA. The LCT framework for moon’s time standards will enhance safety and better facilitate coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders involved in space exploration endeavours. In addition to other functions, the Coordinated Lunar Time (CLT) would serve as a crucial reference for lunar spacecraft and satellites that demand unparalleled precision in their missions.
