The White House has instructed NASA to create a standardized time system for the moon and other space bodies. This move aims to establish clear guidelines in space as more countries and private companies join the lunar exploration race.

According to a memo from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), NASA has been tasked with developing a plan, in collaboration with other U.S. agencies, to establish what they call Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) by the end of 2026.

Time behaves differently on the moon and other celestial bodies due to varying gravitational forces. LTC will serve as a benchmark for timekeeping for spacecraft and satellites operating in space, where precision is crucial.

Kevin Coggins, NASA's space communications and navigation chief, explained that clocks on Earth would tick at a different rate on the moon. The goal is to have a standardized timekeeping system akin to the atomic clocks used on Earth.

Under NASA's Artemis program, the agency plans to send astronauts to the moon and establish a scientific base. Dozens of countries and companies are involved in this effort.

An official from OSTP emphasized the importance of having a unified time standard for secure data transfer and synchronized communication between Earth, lunar satellites, bases, and astronauts. Without it, mapping and locating positions on the moon could be prone to errors.

On Earth, most timekeeping is based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which relies on a network of atomic clocks globally. Similarly, deploying atomic clocks on the lunar surface might be necessary.

As commercial activities expand to the moon, a standardized time system becomes crucial for coordinating operations and managing lunar commerce logistics.

While the U.S. plans its first astronaut lunar landing since the Apollo program, other countries like China and Japan have their lunar ambitions. Defining Coordinated Lunar Time will require international agreements, possibly involving existing standards bodies and nations participating in the Artemis Accords.

U.S. leadership in establishing a suitable time standard for lunar activities is seen as beneficial for all spacefaring nations. However, challenges lie ahead in coordinating with countries like China and Russia, which have not signed the Artemis Accords.

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