Nokia Aims for the Moon, Announces Plans To Build 4G Network With NASA

NASA has awarded Nokia Bell Labs a $14.1 million contract to build the first-ever 4G/LTE mobile network on the moon. This initiative is a part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the moon by 2028.

Wouldn’t it be interesting to catch the live glimpse of an astronaut’s moonwalk on Instagram? Well, that dream may not be too far-fetched. Nokia and NASA plan to build the first-ever 4G/LTE communications system in space. 

This week, on October 19, 2020, Nokia’s subsidiary, Nokia Bell Labs, won a $14.1 million contract from NASA to build a 4G/LTE cellular network on the moon. This initiative is a part of NASA’s Project Artemis that intends to establish a sustainable human base on the lunar surface by 2028. For the success of this project, NASA has created the Tipping Point technologies program valued at more than $370 million.

As part of NASA’s Tipping Point technologies initiative, the space agency has selected 14 American companies, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, United Launch Alliance (ULA), and Lockheed Martin for cryogenic fluid management, lunar surface innovation, and closed-loop descent and landing capabilities.

NASA administrator, Jim Bridenstine, saidOpens a new window , “Together, NASA and industry are building an array of mission-ready capabilities to support a sustainable presence on the moon and future human missions to Mars.”

Nokia’s 4G network will provide reliable lunar surface communications at greater distances and increased speeds than the existing technologies. The Finnish telecom giant will also join forces with American robotics firm Intuitive Machines to integrate 4G/LTE network into a lunar hopper and deliver it to the moon by the end of 2022. 

To the moon! 🌕

We are excited to have been named by @NASAOpens a new window as a key partner to advance “Tipping Point” technologies for the moon, to help pave the way towards sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

So, what technology can you expect to see? (1/6) pic.twitter.com/wDNwloyHdPOpens a new window

— Bell Labs (@BellLabs) October 15, 2020Opens a new window

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Nokia’s Ambitious 4G Network on Moon 

At the forefront of developing critical and reliable lunar communications, Nokia will support wireless operations of lunar rovers, real-time navigation, and HD video streaming. The ultra-compact, low-power, space-hardened, 4G network consists of an LTE base station, LTE user equipment, RF antennas, and operations and maintenance (O&M) control software. The company claims that the network is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the launch and lunar landing and extreme conditions of space. 

Marcus Weldon, CTO of Nokia and president of Nokia Bell Labs, saidOpens a new window , “We are now building the first-ever cellular communications network on the moon. Reliable, resilient, and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. By building the first high-performance wireless network solution on the moon, Nokia Bell Labs is once again planting the flag for pioneering innovation beyond the conventional limits.”

As the world enters the revolutionary 5G era, the moon prepares to welcome 4G arrival. While the earthly beings continue to struggle for a stable network connection, the NASA-Nokia initiative seems like promising news for moonwalkers and astronauts. Only time will tell if Nokia will be able to successfully deploy mission-critical networks on the moon.

Are you delighted about the prospectus of 4G networks on the moon? Comment below or let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!