Nasa is going a long way in space travel by getting ready to launch the first-ever mobile network on the Moon. This historic move is part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission that will deploy the Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS), a network that Nokia has developed and will use the same cellular technology employed on Earth to build connectivity on the surface of the Moon.
Nasa and Nokia team up to establish cellular network on the moon
The lunar mobile network rolled out in the Moon is expected to carry out high-definition streaming of videos, the exchange of telemetry information and command-and-control communications for communication between lunar vehicles and landers. These kinds of gadgets meant for applications under space conditions so harsh were meant to stay and survive intense radiation, huge extremes of heat, and intense launching and landing shock and vibrations. Thierry Klein, president of Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, said the system is housed in a small “network in a box,” with everything needed for a cellular network, minus the antenna and power supply.
Lunar mobility vehicles to connect to Nasa’s mobile network
As part of the mission, two lunar mobility vehicles—the Intuitive Machines Micro-Nova Hopper and Lunar Outpost’s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover—will be sent to use this network. The vehicles will be outfitted with Nokia’s device modules, which will allow them to connect to the established network of the Athena lander. Although the network is only anticipated to last a few days because of the lunar night, this technology is paving the way for future lunar missions.
Nokia network marks milestone for Nasa Artemis and lunar presence
The successful deployment of the mobile network marks a key milestone for Nasa’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2027. Nokia plans to expand this network to support sustainable lunar presence, potentially integrating cell communication into spacesuits. Initially limited, the network could grow alongside lunar settlements and the economy.
Nokia’s custom-designed network can withstand space’s extreme conditions, including radiation, temperature fluctuations, and launch vibrations. Future deployments will need to address regulatory issues like frequency band selection, with the network being compatible with 4G and 5G, and possibilities for expanded lunar communications.
Nasa to deploy lunar mobile network and PRIME-1 experiment for Moon missions
In addition to the mobile network deployment, Nasa will also perform the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1), which seeks to mine and study regolith from the surface of the Moon using a mass spectrometer. The experiment is a key component of learning about the resources of the Moon and how they can be used in support of future missions.
According to the reports, Nasa’s Artemis mission will see astronauts back on the Moon by 2027, with a view to creating a permanent human presence in the 2030s. Nokia’s work with Nasa to provide the mobile network is vital to providing communication between astronauts, mission control, and each other. Not everyone is a fan of this venture, though. Critics such as Chris De Pree of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) fear interference from the mobile network’s radio signals to radio astronomy. Telescopes, being most sensitive in the direction they point towards, might be disrupted by signals from the moon, making it harder to study the night sky.
Concerns over frequency interference and lunar communication advancements
The network will use frequencies that overlap with the radio spectrum allocated to radio astronomy, and this has raised concerns regarding interference and regulatory matters. Nokia received a special waiver for the IM-2 mission, but the company recognizes the requirement for an alternative frequency band to support long-term deployment. Klein stressed that Nokia is already exploring a number of candidate frequencies for future deployment.
As humans venture onto the Moon more frequently, technologies such as this cell network could become crucial in determining the future of space exploration. As communication technology and prospecting for resources evolve, the Moon could become a focal point for increased exploration, research, and even the steppingstone for humans to venture into Mars and beyond.
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