About two years ago, we already wrote about Nokia and NASA’s plans to build a 4G mobile network on the moon, which would have a range of 5 km. In this way, research would be significantly improved, and it would also be possible to send images and other data to Earth faster. “Nokia” has just released its latest progress report, in which it informs that it is preparing to launch 4G Internet on the moon already this year.
The company states that the infrastructure required for 4G Internet operation will be delivered to the Moon with the help of the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle and deployed as part of the Intuitive Machines mission IM-2. The mission is planned for November this year. Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander is expected to deliver a 4G communication system and other payloads to their destination, Shackleton Crater in the southern region of the Moon.
It should be noted that “Nokia” has been working on this project since 2020, when NASA selected it for the creation of 4G technology suitable for lunar conditions, giving it 14.1 million US dollars. Over the past couple of years, Nokia, working together with the companies Lunar Outpost and Intuitive Machines, has created a 4G technology that would work in the harsh environment and conditions of space. If the tests are successful, 4G communications will be able to be used in future NASA “Artemis” missions as well. According to the current plan, NASA will send two astronauts to the moon in 2025. Nokia has also indicated that the 4G mobile network will play an important role in missions that require a long-term human presence on the Moon and later on Mars.
The president of Nokia Bell Labs, Thierry Klein, emphasized that it is imperative that astronauts have the same access to technology as on Earth in order to run software and perform other necessary operations. He points out that 4G Internet will improve voice and video communication, exchange of telemetry and biometric data, control of robots, etc.
