NASA have selected Nokia to setup an actual mobile phone network on the Moon. Key points involve reducing power, size and cost whilst delivering reliable lunar surface communications with high data rates.
As part of a potential future sustainable human presence on the Moon, a super-compact, low-power, space-hardened, end-to-end self-configured 4G system will be prepared for late 2022. It’ll then be responsible for vital command and control functions, remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high definition video.
The solution involves a 4G Base Station with integrated Evolved Packet Core (EPC) functionalities, 4G User Equipment, RF antennas and high-reliability operations and maintenance control software. It’ll be rugged enough to withstand the harsh conditions of the launch and lunar landing, and to operate in the extreme conditions of space.
Let’s hope there’s unlimited data.