[LEAPSECS] LEAPSECS Digest, Vol 47, Issue 12 - Clarification

[Finkleman, Dave]

The term "normative" has special meaning.  From Wikipedia:  In law, as
an academic discipline, the term "normative" is used to describe the way
something ought to be done according to a value position.   A normative
document (such as an ISO Standard) has greater credibility, if not
authority, than any other reference in a contract or law.  It has been
developed through an audited, collaborative consensus.  It is created
voluntarily to meet a demonstrated need.  It is specific and expressed
the same way in all instances.  Since there is no normative definition
of UTC, every instance in a contract, law, or similar vehicle should be
accompanied by the definition intended.  This is a major flaw of the US
law of 2007 that mandated UTC as the civil time scale in the US.  It did
not say what UTC was, is, or will be, so it could be anything as long as
DoC and USNO agree.







Dave Finkleman
Senior Scientist
Center for Space Standards and Innovation
Analytical Graphics, Inc.
7150 Campus Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
 
Phone:  719-510-8282 or 719-321-4780
Fax:  719-573-9079
 
Discover CSSI data downloads, technical webinars, publications, and
outreach events at www.CenterForSpace.com.

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