2024-04-04 15:27:37
The US space agency NASA was commissioned to set a uniform lunar time. Why this could become important in the future.
The moon is currently the focus of attention of various nations. Several missions to Earth’s satellite are planned for the coming years, and some have already been carried out. But there are even bigger plans. A complete infrastructure is to be built on the moon – including a railway network and huge lighthouses.
Now the US space agency NASA has been commissioned by the White House to set a uniform lunar time. Since NASA, private companies and space agencies of other countries are in the process of launching missions to the moon, Mars and beyond, establishing a uniform time standard in space is of great importance, said the White House Office of Regulation on Tuesday (local time). of Science and Technology (OSTP).
NASA wants to present a plan for the new lunar time by the end of 2026
NASA is expected to present a plan for the new lunar time (Coordinated Lunar Time, LTC) by the end of 2026, which will apply to both the Earth’s satellite and other celestial bodies. Because time varies depending on your position in space, establishing a clear standard for safety, navigation and communications in space is critical, said OSTP official Steve Welby.
Coordinated lunar time is intended to be linked to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is the basis for calculating local time on Earth.
Similar to UTC, which is regulated by a network of atomic clocks, a network of clocks could potentially be set up on the moon to regulate lunar time, the OSTP explained. The US is planning a manned landing on the moon in 2026 – the first since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
There has been discussion about a uniform lunar time for a long time. Some scientists support the introduction of a set time because otherwise missions could become chaotic. A uniform time will be necessary, especially if there are more and more spacecraft, probes and possibly even moon bases in the future. Read why here.