NASA has been instructed by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a separate time zone for the moon, known as “Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).” This directive comes with a deadline of the end of 2026, giving NASA until then to implement this new timekeeping system. Unlike time zones on Earth, lunar time will run differently due to the moon’s lower gravity, causing time to pass slower on the lunar surface compared to our planet.
The difference in time on the moon is almost imperceptible, with the moon lagging behind by 58.7 microseconds every day. However, this slight variance can have significant implications for the precision of maneuvers for lunar spacecraft and satellites. Kevin Coggins, NASA’s space communications and navigation program manager, explained that the same clock used on Earth would operate at a different rate on the moon.
NASA is preparing for its upcoming missions to the moon as part of the Artemis program. Following the successful Artemis 1 test flight in November 2022, which sent an uncrewed Orion capsule on a journey to the moon and back, NASA plans to send astronauts into orbit around the moon in 2025 and then onto its surface in 2026. These missions are essential steps towards NASA’s ultimate goal of sending humans to Mars.
Having a standardized way of coordinating time becomes crucial with numerous countries and organizations involved in new lunar missions. Coggins emphasized the importance of having a synchronized time system, comparable to the atomic clocks at the U.S. Naval Observatory, to ensure seamless operations during lunar missions.
Establishing LTC on the moon will provide a reliable reference point for all activities taking place on its surface. The implementation of this new system will be vital in ensuring that manned missions are safe and successful in exploring this new frontier in space exploration.
