NASA, alongside international partners, is advancing plans to establish permanent infrastructure on the Moon, facilitating human presence for research and commercial activities. A recent study by NASA scientists proposes a novel lunar timekeeping system, essential for coordinating operations on the lunar surface and in orbit.
The study, led by researchers from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, introduces a system based on relativistic time transformations to address discrepancies caused by gravitational differences and relative motion. This system aims to enhance timekeeping accuracy for lunar missions, which is critical for navigation and communication.
As outlined in their preprint paper, 'Relativistic Time Transformations Between the Solar System Barycenter, Earth, and Moon,' the team emphasizes the importance of precise timing in space exploration. They identified three major timescales necessary for consistent timekeeping, which will help avoid inaccuracies in spacecraft trajectories and mission timings.
The Artemis Program, which includes the Lunar Gateway and the Artemis Base Camp, is set to operate in cislunar space, while international initiatives like the European Space Agency's Moon Village and China's International Lunar Research Station also aim to establish a presence on the Moon.
The proposed lunar time system will account for a drift of approximately 56 microseconds per day ahead of Earth time, with periodic variations linked to the Moon's orbit. This system, derived from high-precision data from NASA's GRAIL mission, is crucial for future mission planning and operations as humanity prepares for extended lunar exploration and eventual crewed missions to Mars.