NASA and Nokia have successfully deployed the first-ever mobile network on the Moon, marking a major milestone in lunar exploration. The Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) was launched as part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, providing high-definition streaming, telemetry exchange, and reliable connectivity for lunar operations.
The LSCS uses cellular technology similar to Earth’s, operating as a compact “network in a box” that contains everything needed for a functional 4G LTE network except for the antenna and power source. The system is designed to withstand harsh lunar conditions, including extreme radiation and temperature fluctuations.
Two robotic explorers, Intuitive Machines’ Micro-Nova Hopper and Lunar Outpost’s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover, will test the network’s capabilities in real-time command-and-control operations. While this initial deployment is expected to last only a few days due to the lunar night, it serves as a critical proof-of-concept for future missions.
Nokia’s system is designed to scale over time, potentially expanding to include 5G technology. The company aims to integrate its network into spacesuits, allowing astronauts to communicate more effectively. However, some experts have raised concerns about signal interference affecting radio astronomy observations.
This development marks a significant advancement in space technology and could revolutionize how humans explore, communicate, and inhabit extraterrestrial environments. A mobile network on the Moon serves as a testing ground for interplanetary connectivity, paving the way for future missions under NASA’s Artemis program.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/nasa-and-nokia-launch-first-mobile-network-on-the-moon