The White House has mandated NASA to develop a unified time standard for the moon and other celestial bodies by the end of 2026. This initiative, named Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC), aims to set international norms in space as nations and private companies race to the lunar surface.
Due to the moon's different gravitational force, time on the lunar surface doesn't align with Earth time. LTC will provide a precise time-keeping benchmark essential for lunar spacecraft and satellites, ensuring mission accuracy.
\"The same clock that we have on Earth would move at a different rate on the moon,\" said Kevin Coggins, NASA's space communications and navigation chief.
According to a memo by OSTP chief Arati Prabhakar, an Earth-based clock would lose approximately 58.7 microseconds per Earth day on the moon, causing discrepancies that could complicate data transfers, communications, and mapping operations.
Under its Artemis program, NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon and establish a scientific lunar base, laying the groundwork for future Mars missions. Dozens of companies and countries are collaborating in this ambitious effort.
A unified lunar time standard is crucial for coordinating operations, securing data transfers, and managing the logistics of expanding commercial activities on the moon. The deployment of atomic clocks on the lunar surface may be necessary to achieve this precision.
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White House directs NASA to create time standard for the moon
cgtn.com
