Nokia’s cellular network set for lunar mission
Via Intuitive Machines lunar lander
Nokia and Intuitive Machines, Inc. have integrated Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) into Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 lander, Athena. The collaboration marks a significant step in deploying the first-ever cellular network on the Moon as part of the upcoming IM-2 mission, which is set to launch later this year.
The LSCS, developed by Nokia’s Bell Labs, will provide essential communication infrastructure for lunar exploration, enabling real-time data transmission and high-definition video streaming from the lunar surface.
After months of rigorous testing and validation, engineers from both companies installed the LSCS “network in a box” onto one of Athena’s upper carbon-composite panels, ensuring that the system will withstand the harsh conditions of space travel and the lunar environment.
The LSCS was mounted with 14 thermally isolated points to safeguard delicate equipment during the 239,000-mile journey to the Moon. This insulation will help protect the network from the extreme temperatures of space, which can fluctuate drastically.
Additionally, the network has been integrated into Athena’s Thermal Protection System, which manages heat during operation and supplies necessary warmth when the system is idle.
The IM-2 mission will target the lunar south pole, a region of growing interest for future exploration due to its potential resources, such as water ice.
Alongside the Athena lander, two vehicles equipped with Nokia’s device modules—Intuitive Machines’ Micro-Nova Hopper and Lunar Outpost’s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover—will also land on the Moon. Once deployed, these vehicles will connect to the LSCS network, enabling them to transmit valuable data back to Earth.
Nokia’s LSCS leverages 4G/LTE technology, the same cellular technology used by billions of devices on Earth. However, Bell Labs has reimagined the system to meet the unique challenges of lunar communication.
The network will provide critical connectivity for surface operations and support various activities, including command-and-control communication, telemetry data, and video feeds from the lunar surface.
Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, explained the broader implications of the project: “We intend to prove that cellular technologies can provide the reliable, high-capacity, and efficient connectivity needed for future crewed and uncrewed missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. Cellular technology has irrevocably transformed how we communicate on Earth, and there is no reason it can’t do the same for communications on other worlds.”
The IM-2 mission is part of NASA’s broader Artemis programme, which aims to advance human presence on the Moon and beyond. The mission’s goals include testing new sensor technologies to identify and map lunar resources, such as hydrogen concentrations indicative of ice deposits, which could be crucial for long-term lunar habitation.
Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, highlighted the mission: “Delivering Nokia’s 4G/LTE system to the lunar surface is a transformative moment in the commercialisation of space and the maturity of the lunar economy. These innovations will define the Artemis generation and set the stage for sustainable lunar exploration.”
The launch of the Athena lander from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre is scheduled for late February 2025. The mission is poised to deliver groundbreaking advancements in lunar communication and exploration.
Image: The LSCS, developed by Nokia’s Bell Labs, will provide essential communication infrastructure for lunar exploration. Credit: Nokia/Intuitive Machines
Last Updated on 5 hours by Arnold Pinto
