Nokia has shared more information about its project to establish 4G connectivity on the Moon after being selected as a partner by NASA.
Nokia Bell Labs, the company’s research division, is designing a low-power, end-to-end LTE solution engineered to survive the harsh conditions of space and operate reliably on the lunar surface.
Marcus Weldon, Nokia’s Chief Technology Officer and President of Nokia Bell Labs, commented:
“Building on our extensive history in space technologies—from satellite communications to contributions in fundamental astronomy—we are developing the first cellular communications network on the Moon.
Reliable, resilient, and high-capacity communications will be essential for supporting a sustained human presence on the lunar surface. By delivering a high-performance wireless network for the Moon, Nokia Bell Labs continues to push innovation beyond conventional boundaries.”
The solution combines an LTE base station with integrated Evolved Packet Core (EPC) functions, RF antennas, and high-reliability operations and maintenance (O&M) control software designed for space deployment.
To be installed on a lunar lander, the system must meet strict constraints on size, weight, and power consumption while maintaining robust performance in an extreme environment.
LTE was chosen for this mission because it is a proven, energy-efficient technology that can be scaled and adapted for different mission needs. Nokia has also stated its intention to explore space applications for 5G as those capabilities mature.
Intuitive Machines will integrate the Bell Labs network into its lunar lander, which at the time of announcement was scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket on October 11, 2021.
NASA plans to use the Moon’s LTE network as part of the Artemis program. Artemis aims to land the next man and the first woman on the Moon and to establish more sustainable operations so that future crewed missions do not have to wait decades between landings.
If sustainable lunar operations are achieved, NASA’s longer-term human exploration goals include crewed missions to Mars.
We will continue to monitor the partnership between Nokia and NASA and report updates as they become available. Meanwhile, we remain focused on developments that improve connectivity here on Earth.
(Photo by Nicolas Thomas on Unsplash)
Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss topics like this? Consider attending industry events such as 5G Expo, IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo, AI & Big Data Expo, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, which take place in technology hubs including Silicon Valley, London, and Amsterdam.