China has created a timing system for the moon

China became the first in the world to develop and make available specialized software for synchronizing time on the Moon. Scientists at the Purple Mountain Observatory presented LTE440, an instrument that takes into account relativistic effects and the satellite's gravity. This allows for precise coordination of missions.

China and its Lunar Time Breakthrough

China is actively increasing its leadership in space technology, and the development of lunar time is a prime example, notes xrust. A team from the Zijinshan (Purple Mountain) Observatory in Nanjing published in Astronomy & Astrophysics software LTE440 (Lunar Time Ephemeris). This is the first publicly available solution for precise synchronization of lunar and earth clocks, taking into account the moon's weak gravity (6 times less than Earth's) and orbital motion. Clocks on the Moon are running faster by about 56 to 58 microseconds per day, leading to major discrepancies over the years.

Why China was ahead of others in creating lunar time

China has put an emphasis on practicality: LTE440 automates complex relativistic calculations, making them accessible even to small teams. Unlike manual adjustments in past missions (like Apollo or early Chang'e), the system ensures stability for millennia to come. This is especially true as the frequency of flights increases — China is planning dozens of missions by 2030.

• Openness: The software is free and publicly available, encouraging international use.
• Integration: Based on NASA DE440 ephemeris, but with Chinese additions for TCL (Terrestrial Coordinate Lunar time).
• Advantages: Minimizes the load on on-board computers, suitable for autonomous rovers and bases.

China is developing lunar time: how LTE440 works

China presented LTE440 as a ready-made tool for real space applications. The system converts Earth time (TCB/UTC) into lunar time, compensating for the effects of Einstein's general theory of relativity.

The principle of operation of the lunar time system

1. Ephemeris Collection: Uses precise lunar position data from JPL and Chinese observatories.
2. Relativistic Corrections: Accounts for gravitational dilatation (the acceleration of time on the Moon) and orbital velocity.
3. Automatic calculation: The user enters the date and receives the difference in nanoseconds with the forecast.
4. Long-term accuracy: The error over 1000 years is tens of nanoseconds, ideal for planning landings decades in advance.

Expert comment: in an interview with the South China Morning Post (January 2026), the developers noted that LTE440 has already is being tested for integration into the Chang'e-7/8 mission, where an ultra-precise landing on the south pole is needed.

China in the Space Race: Plans for the Moon

China didn't just create the software — it accelerated the entire program. The first manned landing is planned by 2030, and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) with Russia and partners by 2035.

Chinese missions and lunar time

• Chang'e-6 (2024): Successful sampling of soil from the reverse side — data used to refine ephemeris.
• Chang'e-7 (2026–2027): Exploration of the south pole, search for water — LTE440 will help with navigation.
• Chang'e-8 (2028): Testing base technologies, including 3D printing from regolith.
• Manned landing: Before 2030, using lunar time for coordination.

Source: CNSA official website (updated January 2026).

Comparison with NASA and Artemis

NASA is developing Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) on behalf of the White House (deadline — end of 2026). Artemis-2 (orbital flight) has been postponed to 2026, Artemis-3 to 2028+. China is ahead in practical implementation of the software, while the US is focusing on a global standard through the IAU and partners.

ESA's role and international efforts

ESA is looking for contractors for Moonlight, a lunar GPS with unified time. China offers LTE440 as a basis for cooperation, but geopolitics complicates unification.

Background: Why lunar time became relevant

Since the 1960s, missions have used UTC with manual corrections. Einstein's theory (1915) explains the difference: GPS satellites adjust their clocks by 38 µs/day. For the Moon it is similar, but weaker. As missions increase (100+ expected by 2030), unsynchronized clocks pose a risk of accidents. In 2024, the IAU introduced TCL, China was the first to automate its application.

Additionally: as of January 2026, China leads in the number of successful lunar landings in the 21st century (Chang'e-3,4,5,6), surpassing the United States in frequency. This strengthens its position in the race for resources (water, helium-3).

As a result, China not only created a timing system, but also made it a tool for leadership in lunar exploration. LTE440 accelerates the transition to permanent bases and potential cooperation.

Xrust China has created a timing system for the Moon