Coordinated Lunar Time, Space Colonialism, and the Emergence of the Moon as a Governance Object

In 2024, the US government formally proposed to establish time standards for celestial bodies around the Earth—including a distinct time reference system for the moon to be introduced by 2027 named Coordinated Lunar Time. In this paper, we consider how this proposal provides an opportune moment to draw parallels to the way temporal standards have previously been implemented on Earth, as well as opening questions about how time scales in outer space might be equitably implemented in the future. To do so, we develop two critical lenses through which the time and temporalities of the moon can be studied. First, we advance the notion of governance objects to think critically about the limits of understanding moon time as a universal standard developed by US and European actors. Second, we approach Coordinated Lunar Time as a technology of colonialization by studying the relationship between this proposal and the inception of Western timekeeping technologies by colonial states and actors. We conclude by arguing that Science and Technology Studies can offer much in critically examining emerging time standards intended for outer space territories, as well as offering critical entryways for considering how lunar time might be construed differently.