Jennifer McClellan (D-VA)
Celestial Time Standardization Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Celestial Time Standardization Act'', directs the Administrator of NASA to create a system for celestial time standardization. This development is intended to support future operations and infrastructure on the Moon and other celestial bodies besides Earth. The goal is to address the challenges of using Coordinated Universal Time in deep space due to relativistic effects. NASA will lead studies to define a coordinated lunar time and develop an implementation strategy. This process involves consulting with various federal agencies, private sectors, and international partners. Finally, NASA must brief specific House and Senate committees on this strategy within two years.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +5
Does this put more into space exploration?
The primary purpose of the bill is to support future operations and infrastructure for Moon and Mars exploration.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to grow the economy?
Standardizing celestial time supports commercial growth and global competitiveness in the space sector.
- Scored +3
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?
The bill emphasizes international partnerships and benefits other spacefaring countries through standardized systems.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Space Operations: The development of celestial time standardization is intended to support future operations and infrastructure on and around the Moon (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Improved Interoperability: Creating a standard helps ensure that the many governmental, commercial, academic, and international partners involved in the Artemis and Moon to Mars program can have interoperability between their systems (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Advancing Leadership and Growth: Setting these standards is intended to advance United States leadership in science, exploration, and commercial growth, while also benefiting other spacefaring countries and entities (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(a)(5)).
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Precision and Reliability: The strategy aims to include features like accuracy for precision navigation and science, as well as resilience to loss of contact with Earth (Section 2(b)(4)(B) and Section 2(b)(4)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more into space exploration? — The primary purpose of the bill is to support future operations and infrastructure for Moon and Mars exploration. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill advances scientific leadership and requires NASA to lead studies in time standardization.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Standardizing celestial time supports commercial growth and global competitiveness in the space sector. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports commercial growth and leadership in space exploration which may drive future job opportunities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill emphasizes international partnerships and benefits other spacefaring countries through standardized systems. Does this make trade with other countries easier? — By setting global standards, the U.S. enhances its competitive position in the international space economy.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires NASA to brief specific Congressional committees on its strategy. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs NASA to lead a national initiative for time standardization.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill aims to support commercial growth and interoperability for private sector entities.
- 5/13/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/29/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 3/25/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska