The White House has assigned NASA the responsibility of creating a new time zone specifically for the moon, as part of their efforts to establish international norms in space. NASA's objective to establish a lunar time zone aligns with the growing global interest in building a long-term human presence on the moon, a key focus of the Artemis program.

This new lunar time standard, named "Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)," is part of a broader initiative to establish time standards beyond Earth, as stated in an April 2 memo from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Though it remains unclear if the moon will have multiple time zones like Earth, the aim is for the United States to lead in defining a suitable standard that can withstand the challenges of operating in the lunar environment.

One major challenge the LTC aims to solve is the issue of time passing faster on the moon due to its lower gravity. Every day, time on the moon moves approximately 58.7 microseconds faster compared to Earth. While this difference may seem minute, it can pose difficulties in communication between future missions and accurately tracking satellite and crew positions for mission control.

Steve Welby, the OSTP deputy director for national security, emphasized the importance of establishing celestial time standards for safety and accuracy as NASA, private companies, and space agencies worldwide plan missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond.

On Earth, time is measured using atomic clocks distributed at various locations worldwide. Similarly, a network of atomic clocks placed on the moon itself may be utilized for lunar timekeeping. Kevin Coggins, manager of NASA's Space Communications and Navigation Program, explained that each celestial body, such as the moon or Mars, should have its unique time standard since an atomic clock on the moon will tick at a different rate than one on Earth.

The White House's directive to create a lunar time zone by the end of 2026 signifies the United States' commitment to promoting international collaboration and setting norms for space exploration. The establishment of the LTC will not only benefit all nations involved in space exploration but also ensure better safety and accuracy in future lunar missions.

As NASA takes on this task, it marks a significant step toward advancing human exploration beyond our home planet, paving the way for a sustained presence on the moon and future endeavors in deep space.