Nokia has made history by becoming the first company to deploy a 4G network on the moon, marking a monumental leap in space communications.
This ground-breaking development will support NASA's "Intuitive Machines" IM-2 mission, which aims to introduce the first mobile communication technology on the lunar surface, identical to that used on Earth.
According to a report by Wccftech, this achievement is seen as a pivotal step in establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon.
Since the Apollo moon landings, space communications have relied on point-to-point radio signal transmission. This method, which necessitates line-of-sight connectivity between the transmitter and receiver, has served well in the past. Typically, only a single spacecraft, lander, or rover needed to communicate with Earth, and the data transmission demands were relatively minimal.
However, the situation is changing with NASA’s "Artemis Program", which is set to return astronauts to the moon by 2028, followed by plans for a permanent lunar base in the 2030s.
As a result, the need for a more advanced and reliable communication system has never been greater.
This milestone not only enhances communication capabilities for future lunar missions but also lays the foundation for future interstellar communication, ensuring dependable data transmission.
The Intuitive Machines Athena lander, which carries Nokia's lunar network, was launched on February 26 and is currently on its way to the lunar South Pole.
The lander is expected to make its landing on March 6, 2025.
Upon successful landing, Nokia will activate the lunar surface communication system and officially launch the 4G LTE network.
This network will function through the "Network Interface Box" (NIB), an essential component integrated into the lander to withstand the moon's harsh environment and maintain stable signal transmission.
Furthermore, the Athena lander will connect with the MAPP rover and Micro Nova Hopper drone, ensuring continuous network coverage.
As lunar exploration advances, the communication needs for future lunar bases will undoubtedly become more complex.
Nokia has already outlined plans to extend its network capabilities to include wireless connectivity for lunar habitats and to integrate 4G/5G technology into astronauts' future "Axiom" spacesuits, enabling seamless communication as they walk on the lunar surface.
