Axiom Space and Nokia tie up for lunar spacesuit communications
For NASA’s Artemis III mission
Axiom Space and Nokia are set to revolutionise lunar exploration by integrating high-speed 4G/LTE technology into the next-generation astronaut spacesuits for NASA’s upcoming Artemis III mission.
The collaboration aims to embed advanced cellular-network capabilities into the Portable Life Support System (PLSS), commonly referred to as the ‘backpack of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) that astronauts will use on the lunar surface.
This technological upgrade will enable Artemis III mission astronauts to transmit high-definition video, telemetry data, and voice communications over several kilometres on the Moon’s surface.
The Axiom Space AxEMU spacesuit has undergone many tests, including simulating how an astronaut enters and exits from SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) to conduct a spacewalk on the Moon.
NASA’s Artemis III mission, set for 2025, aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface, landing near the Moon’s south pole. The mission aims to advance human exploration and establish a sustainable presence on the Moon, laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars and beyond.
Enhancing spacesuits capabilities
Russell Ralston, Executive Vice President of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space, said: “We are thrilled to work with Nokia to enhance the capabilities of our new spacesuits. This high-speed 4G/LTE network integration will link astronauts to Earth, facilitate critical data exchange, and enable real-time video communication during lunar missions.”
Nokia is preparing to launch the first cellular network on the Moon as part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, slated for delivery to the launch site in late 2024.
The company’s Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), developed by Nokia Bell Labs, will first be deployed during the IM-2 mission and adapted for use in the AxEMU spacesuits.
Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, noted: “Astronauts will need advanced networks for effective communication and mission success. Leveraging our expertise in global network design, we are bringing the same cutting-edge technology that connects billions on Earth to the lunar surface.”
Network-in-a-box
The LSCS comprises a compact, fully autonomous network-in-a-box that integrates radio, base station, and core network components alongside device modules designed to endure the harsh lunar environment. Both components have been optimised for size, weight, and energy efficiency.
Axiom Space recently secured $57.5 million from NASA to incorporate this 4G/LTE technology into its spacesuits, adding to its previous Artemis task order of $228 million. These advancements underscore a significant leap forward in space exploration technology, enhancing NASA’s capabilities to live and work on and around the Moon.
The new spacesuit innovations and Nokia’s lunar communication technologies mark a significant milestone in American space exploration, paving the way for deeper lunar exploration and future missions beyond our planet.
Featured image: Axiom Space and Nokia are working to integrate a high-speed 4G/LTE network capability into the ‘backpack’ on Artemis III mission astronauts’ spacesuits. Credit: Axiom Space
