Frequently Asked Questions
General
Foundational questions about what MSI is — and what it is not.
The Modern Standards Institute (MSI) is an independent, non-national standards authority responsible for defining global reference systems for position, time, motion, elevation, orientation, and related domains on Earth and beyond.
No. MSI is non-national and not affiliated with any government, treaty organization, or political institution. It operates independently of state or imperial authority.
No. MSI defines reference systems only. Political, legal, territorial, and sovereignty interpretations are explicitly outside MSI’s scope.
Standards & Reference Systems
How MSI standards relate to existing systems and why they exist.
No. MSI publishes reference standards for voluntary adoption. Implementation decisions remain entirely with users and institutions.
No. MSI standards are designed to coexist with legacy systems and provide clear interoperability and conversion paths rather than replacing existing infrastructure.
Longitude zero is a governance decision rather than a physical necessity. MSI establishes a neutral, geocentric reference aligned with modern measurement rather than historical or political precedent.
Epoch 2030 is the reference moment at which all MSI standards align. It provides a clean, future-facing baseline for coordinates, time, and motion.
Governance
How standards are stewarded and how authority is structured.
Standards are stewarded by appointed Directors and ratified by the MSI Board under published governance rules. No external government or corporation controls MSI standards.
Major versions align with Epoch cycles. Minor updates are issued as needed and documented publicly with version history.
Participation
Ways individuals and organizations can engage with MSI.
Yes. Institutions, agencies, and companies may participate in review, implementation, advisory roles, and public consultation processes.
You may subscribe for updates, express interest in Director roles, contribute to reviews, or submit nominations for the Ambassador program.