Philip Linden and Ashley Kosak | From Epoch to Ecosystem: Growing Robust Lunar PNT Networks.

Why It Matters

A neutral, distributed lunar timing infrastructure will enable interoperable, cost‑effective missions and prevent any single entity from monopolizing a critical layer of space autonomy.

Key Takeaways

• Lunar timekeeping must avoid single-point authority to ensure resilience
• Distributed “space‑time card” enables onboard precision timing for each spacecraft
• Networked nodes cross‑validate time, creating a GPS‑like lunar infrastructure
• Open‑source hardware reduces cost, fostering participation from academia and startups
• Early prototypes achieve sub‑50 ns drift over 48 hours in lab tests

Summary

The talk by Philip Linden and Ashley Kosak outlines a shift from a centralized, Earth‑centric timing model to an open, incremental approach for building a robust lunar Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) network. They argue that time, like calendar systems on Earth, should not be monopolized by a single authority, and that the first entity to provide an authoritative lunar time service will control a critical layer of mission autonomy for decades.

Drawing on centuries of terrestrial time‑keeping evolution—from the Roman calendar to the Gregorian reform and the establishment of UTC—they illustrate how sovereign control, industrial pressure, and multilateral governance eventually produced a neutral global standard. In contrast, today’s lunar missions rely on costly, bespoke two‑way ranging from Earth, exposing each project to non‑recurring engineering burdens and preventing smaller actors from participating.

The presenters propose a distributed timing architecture built around a “space‑time card,” a plug‑and‑play module that implements the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol and leverages open‑source hardware concepts from OCP and Raspberry Pi. Early prototypes, developed by undergraduate teams, have demonstrated sub‑50 nanosecond drift over 48 hours, achieving performance that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars. Nodes validate their clocks locally and cross‑check with neighboring spacecraft, forming a resilient, GPS‑like lunar time network.

If adopted, this decentralized system would democratize lunar operations, lower mission costs, and provide a reliable timing backbone for autonomous navigation, rover coordination, and future deep‑space endeavors. By treating precision timing as a standard spacecraft subsystem, the architecture promises scalability, interoperability, and protection against single‑point failures that could jeopardize the emerging lunar economy.

Original Description

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Philip Linden and Ashley Kosak | From Epoch to Ecosystem: Growing Robust Lunar PNT Networks.

Abstract: Large-scale space capabilities rarely emerge fully formed. As standardized building blocks gain relevance through repetition, interoperability, and declining marginal cost, progress shifts from individual platform performance to accumulated flight heritage and stable interfaces. Once critical mass is reached, these architectures rapidly become default infrastructure. This pattern has appeared across space systems engineering, including CubeSats, where openness and standardization enabled a paradigm shift in satellite operations.

Epoch reframes lunar timekeeping from a specialized subsystem into shared infrastructure. By combining proven synchronization techniques, accessible hardware, and open interoperability principles, Epoch enables missions to achieve autonomy today while contributing to a resilient lunar PNT ecosystem tomorrow. Rather than relying on a single authoritative clock, Epoch builds a network of independently validated nodes whose collective resilience strengthens with each deployment.

Epoch complements efforts such as NASA LunaNet by providing a practical near term bridge. It enables autonomous operation today while remaining compatible with future shared lunar infrastructure and retaining long term value as a resilience and holdover layer.

Philip Linden is a space systems engineer focused on spacecraft operations, imaging systems, and onboard autonomy. At Planet, he develops automated commanding and anomaly response systems for the SkySat constellation. His background includes roles at Lockheed Martin and SpaceX spanning imaging systems, spacecraft structures, calibration, and mission operations. He is also a Research Fellow with the Open Lunar Foundation, exploring scalable and resilient precision timing systems for space missions.

Ashley Kosak is a technical operations and infrastructure leader with experience across aerospace, consumer electronics, and energy storage. Formerly at SpaceX and Apple, her work has focused on launch operations, propulsion reliability, manufacturing systems, validation infrastructure, and operational resilience. She is currently a Fellow with the Open Lunar Foundation, working on open and interoperable timing and coordination infrastructure for lunar and distributed space missions.

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Timecodes

00:00 Lunar Timekeeping Problem

03:10 Standardized Earth Time

04:40 Lunar Timing Governance

06:10 GPS Limits At Moon

11:10 Distributed Lunar Timing

12:30 SpaceTimeCard Architecture

16:00 Student Team Development

18:20 Flight Roadmap

20:30 Q and A

20:40 Timekeeping Assumptions

23:45 Clock Stability Tradeoffs

27:20 GNSS Interoperability

34:20 Pulsar Navigation Systems

37:50 Card Costs And Integration

44:40 Monopoly And Encryption Risks