The chronometer works differently on the moon – here is how NASA will regulate the lunar time
Time works differently on the Moon – a dilemma that can take up some challenges with regard to the chronometer on the natural satellite of the planet alone. This is a problem that Congress seeks to approach with the introduction of Celestial Time Standardization Act (HR 2313).
The member of the Jennifer McClellan Congress of Virginie presented the bill last year and recently adopted the committee phase, receiving the unanimous approval of the United States Sciences, Espace and Technology Committee in April 2025. If it is registered in law, he will “demand that the administrator of the national aeronautical and space administration to develop celestial time to support ends and infrastructure.
Essentially, it will force NASA to create a standard known as coordinated lunar time (LTC) – a celestial equivalent of coordinated universal time (UTC), which is used to regulate clocks and time on earth and (currently) in space.
Learn more:: Here are 4 reasons why we are still going to the moon
How to say the time on the moon
NASA and other space agencies are currently using a range of timing techniques. This includes Time of the event of the spaceship (SCET)which refers to the time as an event, such as an observation or a burn of the engine, takes place on the spaceship. It is generally synchronized with UTC. Astronauts can also follow Mission has elapsed time (MET) On a separate watch to monitor how long has passed since the start of the mission.
However, like the United States (And the world) seeks to increase the bet on spatial exploration and even to establish A permanent base on the moonIt becomes more and more important to establish a coherent and precise way to measure time on the moon and beyond.
As the bill indicates, “the use of coordinated universal time has challenges when used beyond the earth in other celestial bodies, due to relativistic effects”. This refers to the impact of severity.
On the moon, gravity at the surface is only a sixth of what is on earth. This means that the clocks check a little faster. The difference is infinitesimally small (58 microseconds per day), but because the precise chronometer is essential to navigate space and carry out research, it can set an important challenge.
As such, supports the bill: “The United States should lead to the development of time normalization for the Moon and other celestial organizations other than the Earth to support interoperability and safe and sustainable operations.” This “will advance American leadership as part of standards for global competitiveness and will benefit other countries and space entities.”
Prepare for the future
The bill has overcome the last obstacle, but there are several additional steps before its entry into force. Now, he will be sent to the House, where he will suffer a vote on the ground. In case of success, he will go to the Senate. It is only then that he will go to the White House to be signed. Unlike many policies, the Celestial Time Standardization Act has bipartite support, there is therefore a good chance of going to the finish line.
“We are entering a new era of the Space Exploration of the United States and has an exciting opportunity to carry out standards that stimulate global competitiveness. While we are pursuing increasingly complex activities on the moon and beyond, the need for a celestial time standard will only develop,” said McClellan MP A press release Last year.
“This will improve our ability to explore and expand our knowledge of the known universe,” said McClellan.
Find out more: Private lunar moles have so far experienced more failures than successful
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Rosie McCall is an independent writer living in London. She has covered scientific and health subjects for publications, including Iflscience, Newsweek and Health.
