NASA is developing a lunar time scale to support human settlement on the Moon by 2026—ushering in a new era of off-Earth timekeeping and space coordination.
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| NASA will create a Moon-specific time scale by 2026 to prevent mission errors and enable coordinated human activity in space—changing how we measure time. Image: NASA |
Washington D.C., US — July 25, 2025:
NASA is taking a transformative step in space exploration by developing a dedicated lunar time scale, set to be implemented by 2026. This new system aims to support long-duration missions, coordinated research, and future human settlement on the Moon—signaling a critical shift from Earth-centric to Moon-centric timekeeping.
The move stems from a key scientific concern: a day on the Moon is roughly 56 microseconds shorter than a day on Earth. While the difference seems minuscule, over time it can lead to major discrepancies in navigation, communication, and mission synchronization. These risks increase exponentially as more spacecraft, astronauts, and scientific instruments begin operating independently on the Moon.
"It's not just about creating a time zone," said Cheryl Gramling, head of lunar positioning, navigation, and timing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "The goal is to establish a Moon-based time system that supports astronaut activity, communication, and scientific integrity based on the Moon’s position—not Earth’s."
The lunar time initiative was reinforced by a recent White House directive, urging NASA to develop a reliable system by 2026—the same year the U.S. plans to return astronauts to the lunar surface under the Artemis program.
Unlike previous missions, future lunar operations will involve permanent infrastructure, such as research stations and orbiters that require autonomous timekeeping to coordinate across systems and space agencies. This underscores the need for a standardized lunar time frame that could eventually serve as a model for future missions to Mars and beyond.
International cooperation is key to the success of the project. NASA is currently working with partners including the European Space Agency (ESA), Japan’s JAXA, and others to align on the technical framework. However, disagreements remain—particularly about the placement, calibration, and definition of solar clocks and time reference points on the Moon.
“If we succeed,” say scientists involved, “we’ll establish a new foundation for space-time coordination, allowing both robotic and human missions to operate with greater autonomy and accuracy.”
This effort marks a turning point in human space activity. Just as time zones enabled global coordination on Earth, a lunar time scale will become essential infrastructure for a multi-planetary future. The shift from Earth-based to space-based timekeeping reflects not just technical advancement, but a symbolic leap in how humanity imagines its place in the universe.
As NASA works to finalize the system in the coming months, this lunar clock may soon be ticking—not just as a scientific tool, but as the heartbeat of humankind’s next giant leap.