The Biden administration has unveiled critical space policy documents addressing cislunar science and technology, marking a significant step towards organized navigation and cooperation in lunar activities.
On December 18, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) issued a policy memorandum highlighting the need for a unified cislunar reference system. This directive aims to facilitate future navigation and ensure safety on and around the moon. It emphasizes the creation of ‘common reference systems’ and mandates NASA, along with other federal bodies, to develop an implementation plan by the end of 2026.
Arati Prabhakar, OSTP director, stated the importance of this task: ‘A shared understanding of reference systems at the Moon is essential for safe navigation, scientific discovery, and commercial activity, just as it is at Earth.’ The memo continues a previous initiative from April focusing on a lunar timing system, acknowledging the challenges posed by the relativistic effects on timekeeping between Earth and the lunar surface.
The OSTP also disclosed a comprehensive 15-page National Cislunar Science and Technology Action Plan. This plan is designed to instigate a strategy set forth in 2022, prioritizing research and development, international cooperation, space situational awareness (SSA), and the establishment of cislunar communication systems.
For research and development, the plan outlines tasks for sustaining human presence in cislunar space, enabling scientific endeavors, and bolstering workforce capabilities. While NASA leads most initiatives, the Department of Defense takes charge of workforce-related tasks.
Expanding international cooperation includes a proposal for an ‘International Lunar Year’ by the decade’s end, championed by the State Department. This initiative aims to enhance global collaboration and submit a detailed proposal to the United Nations by 2026.
Another pivotal component of the strategy focuses on improving SSA capabilities by identifying current gaps and needs, alongside developing an integrated cislunar object catalog in collaboration with various U.S. Departments. Sharing data with other cislunar space operators is also emphasized.
A National Communication and Position, Navigation, and Timing Architecture is outlined as the final objective. It requires NASA to lead the development of standards ensuring interoperability with commercial and international systems. While the action plan spans over five years, specific deadlines are not extensively detailed.
The strategic vision underscores the United States’ intent to lead in forming future norms and governance for outer space, aligning with national security priorities.
This initiative reflects the U.S. commitment to establishing leadership in cislunar space exploration and governance, charting a course for future scientific and commercial advancements in the region.
Source: Spacenews
