As humanity prepares to make a historic return to the moon, one question has emerged at the forefront of space exploration: what time is it on the moon? In an unprecedented move, NASA is now leading efforts to answer this question by establishing a Coordinated Lunar Time (CLT) standard, a key step as humans get ready to return to the lunar surface. This groundbreaking initiative, which involves NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) programme, could have profound implications not only for the moon but also for future space missions to Mars and beyond.
Coordinating Time Across Space
The SCaN programme will spearhead this effort, working in collaboration with various international stakeholders to establish a consistent timekeeping system for the moon. This system would serve as the foundation of a future lunar ecosystem, ensuring synchronisation for scientific experiments, commercial activities, and human habitation. Additionally, NASA officials have pointed out that a similar time framework may one day be extended to Mars and other parts of the solar system. With more nations and private companies showing an interest in lunar exploration, the creation of a standardised time system becomes increasingly crucial.
The Growing Importance of a Lunar Time Standard
The need for a unified time standard on the moon is becoming ever more pressing as NASA’s Artemis programme aims to establish a sustained human presence on and around the moon. This need is compounded by the rapidly growing commercial space industry, which will likely see multiple entities conducting operations on the lunar surface. Ben Ashman, a key figure in the SCaN programme, emphasised the importance of time standardisation for the safety and sustainability of these activities. He noted, “A shared definition of time is an important part of safe, resilient, and sustainable operations.”
Why Time Moves Differently on the Moon
One of the challenges in creating a unified lunar time standard is the difference in how time is experienced on the moon compared to Earth. The moon’s weaker gravitational pull causes time to pass faster there, a phenomenon first predicted by Albert Einstein’s theory of special relativity. On the lunar surface, time moves about 56 microseconds per day faster than it does on Earth. While this discrepancy might seem small, it has enormous implications for human space travel and the precise timing needed for spacecraft landings and communications.
The Creation of a “Moon Time”
To tackle this issue, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a master “Moon time” system, similar to Earth’s Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This timekeeping reference will ensure that the entire moon operates on a single, synchronised time zone, adjusted for its unique gravitational environment. Bijunath Patla, a physicist at NIST, explained, “It’s like having the entire moon synchronised to one ‘time zone’ adjusted for the moon’s gravity, rather than having clocks gradually drift out of sync with Earth’s time.”
The Role of Lunar Time in GPS and Navigation
Aside from ensuring synchronised operations, the establishment of Lunar Time is critical for developing a lunar geo-positioning system, or GPS. A robust lunar GPS system will be essential for accurate navigation and positioning during human activities on the moon. This development will be pivotal as space agencies and commercial partners prepare to explore and build infrastructure on the moon’s surface.
Looking Towards 2026
NASA’s efforts to establish Coordinated Lunar Time gained momentum following a directive issued by the Biden administration in April. Under this directive, NASA has been tasked with developing and finalising a comprehensive strategy for lunar time standardisation by 31 December 2026. This deadline marks a significant milestone in the roadmap towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon and paves the way for even more ambitious space exploration initiatives.
As this bold venture unfolds, NASA’s leadership in space continues to shape the future of exploration. Through collaborative international efforts, a universal lunar time standard may soon become a reality, serving as the cornerstone for safe and effective human activity on the moon.
